Policy advocacy training for health professionals in Africa on health and climate change in preparation for the 32nd Conference of Parties in Ethiopia 2027.
1
Health Care Without Harm, Virginia, United States
2
GroundWork, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
3
Amref Health Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
4
South African Medical Research Council, Parow-Valley, South Africa
5
Association of Schools of Public Health in Africa (ASPHA), Nairobi, Kenya
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A390
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Health professionals are among the most trusted voices in society and have a long history of influencing public policy on issues that affect population health. Climate change poses an escalating threat to health in Africa, exacerbating existing inequalities and placing additional strain on health systems. Framing climate change as a public health and ethical issue can help depoliticize climate debates and strengthen public and political support for ambitious climate action. In the lead-up to the thirty-second Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be hosted in Ethiopia, there is a critical opportunity to equip African health professionals with the skills and confidence needed to advocate effectively for health-centred climate policies. This session is designed to strengthen regional leadership and amplify African health voices in global climate negotiations.
METHODS:
This interactive, skill-building session will provide practical training in policy advocacy and campaigning tailored to the African context. Methods include short expert presentations, case studies highlighting successful health-led climate advocacy, and facilitated breakout group exercises focused on message development, stakeholder mapping, and identifying strategic advocacy opportunities before and during the climate conference in Ethiopia. Participants will engage in applied exercises to translate evidence on climate and health into clear policy demands.
RESULTS:
Participants will demonstrate improved understanding of advocacy strategies, enhanced capacity to articulate health-based climate policy messages, and increased awareness of regional and global advocacy opportunities linked to the upcoming climate conference.
CONCLUSIONS:
Strengthening the advocacy capacity of African health professionals is essential to ensuring that health is positioned at the centre of climate policy discussions. This session will support coordinated, informed, and impactful health-led advocacy in preparation for the climate conference in Ethiopia and beyond.
Health professionals are among the most trusted voices in society and have a long history of influencing public policy on issues that affect population health. Climate change poses an escalating threat to health in Africa, exacerbating existing inequalities and placing additional strain on health systems. Framing climate change as a public health and ethical issue can help depoliticize climate debates and strengthen public and political support for ambitious climate action. In the lead-up to the thirty-second Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be hosted in Ethiopia, there is a critical opportunity to equip African health professionals with the skills and confidence needed to advocate effectively for health-centred climate policies. This session is designed to strengthen regional leadership and amplify African health voices in global climate negotiations.
METHODS:
This interactive, skill-building session will provide practical training in policy advocacy and campaigning tailored to the African context. Methods include short expert presentations, case studies highlighting successful health-led climate advocacy, and facilitated breakout group exercises focused on message development, stakeholder mapping, and identifying strategic advocacy opportunities before and during the climate conference in Ethiopia. Participants will engage in applied exercises to translate evidence on climate and health into clear policy demands.
RESULTS:
Participants will demonstrate improved understanding of advocacy strategies, enhanced capacity to articulate health-based climate policy messages, and increased awareness of regional and global advocacy opportunities linked to the upcoming climate conference.
CONCLUSIONS:
Strengthening the advocacy capacity of African health professionals is essential to ensuring that health is positioned at the centre of climate policy discussions. This session will support coordinated, informed, and impactful health-led advocacy in preparation for the climate conference in Ethiopia and beyond.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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