1.2 The course ahead
The aim of this course is to build on what you may already know, introduce you to some new perspectives and approaches, and provide opportunities to build knowledge and experience around how to make change happen.
Whether you are an experienced changemaker or a newcomer, we welcome you.
Getting the most from the course
Throughout the course, we will discuss concepts, tools and strategies often used by changemakers and activist organisations. We will also hear from several inspiring activists from a range of countries and contexts about their first-hand experiences of making change happen. You will have the opportunity to apply what you learn to a real-world problem affecting you, your community, or your country and which may be part of a global movement or more local in nature.
In each unit there will be steps where we ask you to note your reflections, learning or plans. There are various options for recording these. You can either use the free text boxes provided, and then save or print these out at the end of the course, or you can open and type into or print out the ‘Make Change Happen Plan’ which is in the PDF downloads at the end of this step. Alternatively, you can keep a notebook by your side and note your thoughts there.
The reflection icon below will remind you when there are steps for self-reflection or journaling throughout the course.
We encourage you to take part in all you can but feel free to skip forward if there are activities that do not suit you. You can also return to steps if you think of ideas later. Content in the course is provided on a CC-BY-NC-SA licence which means that you are free to share it and adapt it.
You will gain a certificate and badge on completion of the course.
About the course team
The course was developed by staff from across Oxfam and draws on many sources and knowledge shared by other organisations, activists and thinkers. The course was developed in partnership with The Open University, which provided support with the learning design and delivery.
Oxfam believes in the power of people. Millions are already mobilising. Even where people live in crisis or poverty, they have the courage to hold those in power to account for their actions. These are the changemakers who will win the fight against inequality, who will beat poverty and injustice. We offer our support to help relieve suffering, and act together to transform lives and create change that lasts. This course is part of that effort, designed to share what we, our partners and other activist organisations have learned about how change happens, and to create space for you to develop your own thinking and practice.
The course includes stories of political, social, economic, and environmental change drawn from a range of organisations, movements, community groups and activists around the world. The stories are used to illustrate learning points but are by no means exhaustive and you will know of many more examples from your own countries and areas of interest.
Course outline
In brief, the course will take you on a learning journey which follows this route over the eight units. However, change is not a linear process. The order of course elements over the eight units could be debated but we have strived to make a learning journey which is engaging, valuable, and inspiring.
We hope you enjoy it!
Your Make Change Happen Plan
The activities in this course will prompt you to make notes. For your convenience, and to keep all your thoughts in the same place, we have created a downloadable Make Change Happen Plan, to help you study.
You should download this plan and save it somewhere you can easily access, if you wish to use it.
Activity 1.1: What is your experience of making change happen?
As you begin this course it is worth reflecting on what you already have experience of and can bring to the learning journey.
How have you been involved in social, environmental or political change processes in your life or in your work? Have you taken part in marches, campaigns, community actions, or movements for change, or simply talked to friends, family and neighbours about the issues that you are passionate about?
It is also worth reflecting on where the gaps in your knowledge and experience are and what you hope to get from the course. What are you hoping to learn?
Add your thoughts to the free text box, in the Make Change Happen Plan or in your own notebook.
1.1 Welcome
