The program is primarily designed for people in full-time roles, however it is a time-intensive program that requires a significant time commitment.

The programme runs over 3 months and includes 6 days of intensive sessions, plus international travel (depending on participant’s home location). We also estimate around 21 contact hours for the virtual classes/seminars. Additionally, participants are expected to commit to several hours a week for homework, reading and work on their research project each week.

We expect participants to be available for every retreat and 80% of seminars when they participate in the program, and catch up on any content when absent.

Participants will delve into the latest in cognitive research on perception and persuasion. We’ll learn how to take apart language, to diagnose what’s working and not in current advocacy communication and how to fix it.

From conceptual metaphor theory to frame semantics, participants will practice critical examination of language – their own and others' – toward effectively reframing the issue of our day. 

Participants will be expected to complete extensive readings from linguistics, psychology, behavioral economics and related domains.

Covering language analysis, principles of persuasion, research methods and campaign implementation, this program enables seasoned communicators to analyze current discourse, reframe narratives, understand the implications of particular wording choices, and deliver more effective messaging for progressive victories.

The messaging frameworks taught in the Programme have been iterated upon through 10+ years of multi-issue research, including collaborations between ASO and Australian Progress on refugee rights, First Nations justice, and disability messaging, and feedback from advocate communities who have implemented these lessons.

Applications for the Global Messaging Programme are now open, please complete the form here.

The application asks questions about:

• The type of work you do and your experience with organising, campaigning and communications

• The organisation/movements you are involved with

• What you hope to gain from the programme

• A current messaging challenge you are facing

• Any support you would need to participate in the programme

• Some demographic questions to let us know who we’re reaching in the application process

If you prefer to complete this form in a Word Document, you can find a copy of the application questions here please download the document and email your completed application to info@australianprogress.org.au by the deadline.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us by email: info@australianprogress.org.au.

The course has a sliding scale fee of $1,000-$8,000 USD. The course fee covers lodging and meals for the two retreats, but does notinclude international flights or visa costs.

A limited number of partial and full scholarships are also available. In some cases, this will include coverage of international flights.

Here is the standard cost breakdown:

• Individual (Not employed at an organisation) or Voluntary Organisations: $1,000 USD | $1,550 AUD

• Small Non-Profit (1 - 4 paid staff): $2,000 USD | $3,100 AUD

• Regular Non-Profit (5 - 14 paid staff): $4,500 USD | $7,000 AUD

• Large Non-Profit (15+ paid staff): $7,000 USD | $10,800 AUD

• Philanthropy/Funder and For-Profit Firm: $8,000 USD | $12,500 AUD

The cost for participation in the programme is often paid by employers or funders, and fees are priced according to the type of organisation and the annual budget.

While the programme is primarily designed for those working in civil society organisations, we do accept individual/consultants, as long as you are designing and sharing messages around social issues.

The fee is typically priced according to your type of organisation and the size of your organisation. Typically, organisations pay all or most of the fee with participants occasionally covering part of the fees themselves.

If you are not employed by an organisation and don’t receive a salary, you are encouraged to apply for an individual/voluntary organisation place or a scholarship. We offer limited scholarship places.

The fee is typically priced according to your type of organisation and the size of your organisation. Because of the global nature of the programme, we have used staff numbers to estimate organisation size. We understand no metric is perfect, and are always up for having a conversation about your organisation’s resources.

We use a tiered pricing structure so that large non-profit organisations, social enterprises and for-profit organisations cover more of the costs of the program, providing opportunities for smaller non-profit organisations, grassroots community groups and participants eligible for scholarships who experience higher financial barriers to accessing the program.

Attendance at both the opening and closing intensive is essential.

The opening retreat covers foundational content critical for participants to engage with the remainder of the programme. If you cannot attend the opening retreat, we are unable to accept you into the program.

The closing retreat will be the culmination of the messaging programme, including the presentation of the final version of your project - which will address a research question of your choice.

The programme will be run in English.

The research projects completed as part of the Programme are usually framed around an issue or a messaging challenge that you are encountering in your work/movement/organisation.

Throughout the Programme, we work closely with each participant to develop your research question and support you in conducting your project so that, when the programme ends, you can implement learnings in your work.