WIT News

WIT & IT Sligo Offer Higher Certificate in Arts in Advocacy Studies Posted: Wed, November 19, 2008

WIT’s School of Education and Professional Development, in conjunction with Sligo Institute of Technology is offering the Higher Certificate in Arts in Advocacy Studies, beginning in January 2009.

The Higher Certificate in Arts in Advocacy Studies was designed by IT Sligo and is aimed at people who work as advocates or would like to develop their skills in this area. The WIT/IT Sligo initiative offers a real continuing professional development opportunity for people working in the field of advocacy.

Advocacy is defined as ‘representing others in areas where they required support, or representing persons who cannot represent themselves’. Advocacy services go some way to redress the inequalities between the individual and large powerful organisations. For many years, informal advocacy has always existed but formal services are beginning to develop particularly in the disability area.

Many services for people who are socially excluded now have an advocacy aspect as the choices and rights of the end-user are now considered central to the delivery of social services. Advocacy has a range of meanings: it may involve an enabling side, a representative side and/or a lobbying side. Advocacy can mean assisting people to speak up for themselves, or providing a representative to make a case for them in circumstances where they cannot do this themselves. It also involves relaying the concerns of individuals or groups to government. As such it is a way to ‘level the playing field’ for marginalised groups: it allows them to claim their entitlements and exercise choices; and protects their quality of life in circumstances where they may be dependent on services.

The Citizen Information Board is the statutory body responsible for the provision of information, advice and advocacy to members of the public on social services with most services provided locally through the Citizens’ Information Centres.

Full course details & application forms are available from WIT’s Adult Education Office @ 051-302040 ace@wit.ie.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 12th December 2008.