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 2024 program will be delivered online from August 05 – October 28 with an approximate time commitment of around 3-5 hours per week for 12 weeks. Please note, this course is a WCO member benefit. Kindly email enquiries@worldoptometry.org for more information.
The application period for the 2024 program is open from May 01 until May 31, 2024 (CDT). The 2024 OPAL application form will be made available during this period.
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!