The WCO Advocacy and Leadership course, Looking Towards the Future: Optometry Program in Advocacy and Leadership (OPAL), enables future eye health leaders to use advocacy and leadership strategies to effect change at the policy and practice levels. The goals of this course are to equip the course participants with knowledge and skills to lead the profession forward through advocacy, public health initiatives, and leadership within the health care sector while at the same time supporting the WCO strategic plan.
The original advocacy course was conducted face-to-face with participants in Mozambique, Nigeria and Lebanon. In order to bring the workshop more participants, the decision was made to offer a virtual course in 2019. This 3-month course included virtual modules and required the development of a capstone project by all the participants. Many of the capstone projects have come to fruition following the successful completion of the course.
The OPAL Program
- This is a WCO Member Benefit – only WCO Individual Members in good standing, or those who are a member of a WCO Country Member or employed by a WCO Affiliate Member in good standing are eligible to apply for OPAL. If you are not yet a WCO member, you can apply for Individual Membership thru this link OR check if your organization is listed as a WCO Country or Affiliate Member in good standing here.
- Kindly note that being a WCO Member does not guarantee a spot in OPAL since we have a limited number of slots available, and all applications are screened and reviewed by the OPAL Committee
- The course is delivered online for 12 weekswith a time commitment of around 3-5 hours per week
- WCO strives to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in each OPAL class. This includes but is not limited to race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, and age.
- Note: If there’s a larger number of applications from a region, the ratio of successful applicants from that area might be higher compared to others.
- There are a limited number of successful applications chosen every year. For the 2024 program, we will be choosing a maximum of 30 qualified candidates. These candidates are optometrists who will become the future leaders in WCO and in our profession.
- Further information on the selection process and participation requirements will be included on this page closer to the opening of the application period for the 2025 OPAL Program.
Please email enquiries@worldoptometry.org if you have any questions.
Past participants have praised the course as helpful and beneficial in advocating for our profession. WCO celebrates another successful year of training the advocates and leaders of tomorrow!