Political Organising Training Programme
Across the UK, human rights are under attack. They are treated by many political leaders and governments as optional, inconvenient or too risky to defend. How do we counter divisive movements while rebuilding community and political support for rights
Introducing Amnesty UK’s new Political Organising Training Programme.
© Marie-Anne Photography
The programme equips activists with the practical skills and confidence needed to build meaningful connections in their communities, hold persuasive and non polarising conversations, grow a committed team of local leaders and develop a strategy that makes human rights count before, during and after elections.
All modules are delivered online for activists across the UK, trainers with decades of experience in building movements, developing leaders and winning political and corporate campaigns.
Whether you want to prepare for the Scottish, Welsh or local elections this May, strengthen your local Amnesty group or build a human rights campaign, these trainings will help you and your team make human rights count.
Who is the training for?
This programme is for anyone who cares about human rights and wants to act
It is for:
- Experienced activists - People who want to sharpen their organising practise, grow confident teams, turn activity into sustained political impact, and potentially step into training roles themselves.
- New activists - People who feel the urgency of this moment and want the structure, skills and support to move from concern to confident action.
Whether you are part of a local Amnesty group, a youth or campus network, a national thematic work, these skills with strenghen how you organise and help Amnesty build power as a movement. Partner organisations and their members are also welcome to join..
Training content
The programme first covers four foundational skill sessions:
- Amnesty UK & politics 101
- Community Organising 101
- Storytelling 101
- Building relationships 101.
This is followed by intermediate skills:
- Persuasive Conversations 201
- Recruit and retain Volunteers 201
- and an optional Community Fundraising 101.
Course Outlines
Amnesty UK & politics 101 Show Hide
How political power works & how activists influence it
A practical introduction to advocacy in today’s polarised and hostile environment, who shapes political decisions in practice, and how human rights can become politically relevant and persuasive. Learn how local action connects to national impact, how to move beyond awareness-raising to real leverage, and the role Amnesty activists play in making human rights politically consequential — including during elections.
Community Organising 101 Show Hide
How communities build power to win political change
Organising is a leadership practice that turns people, relationships, and shared interests into collective power. Learn the difference between mobilising and organising, the central role of relationships, and how democratic participation strengthens community influence. The session grounds these skills in Amnesty UK’s strategy to build sustained local power so human rights are defended collectively, not just supported in principle.
Storytelling 101 Show Hide
How to craft your story of self
Use world-renowned organiser Marshall Ganz’s Public Narrative framework to craft a compelling Story of Self that explains why you care and why others should join you in fighting for human rights. Through practice, explore how your personal experience connects to shared values and motivates collective action. The session supports Amnesty’s strategy to root human rights in lived experience, making them feel human, relevant, and unavoidable in public debate.
Building relationships 101 Show Hide
How one-to-ones build a movement
Learn the core organising skill of one-to-one conversations: structured, purposeful dialogues that build trust, surface motivation, and invite commitment. Participants develop listening skills, learn how to identify shared interests, and map relational networks. These conversations are central to Amnesty’s strategy to grow leadership, accountability, and long-term human rights organising.
Community fundraising 101 Show Hide
How to raise funds for human rights work
Learn how to resource human rights work sustainably by treating fundraising as a relationship‑based organising practice. The session covers making ethical and values‑aligned asks, building long‑term supporter relationships, and connecting people’s motivations to meaningful financial support. This reflects Amnesty’s approach to building durable movements with the resources needed for sustained human rights impact.
Persuasive Conversations 201 Show Hide
How to Persuade Without Polarising
Use values-based dialogue to build support for human rights. Learn how to listen for values, bridge disagreement, handle resistance, and close with clear next steps. These skills advance Amnesty’s strategy to broaden support for human rights through confident, respectful engagement.
Recruit & retain volunteers 201 Show Hide
How to grow the active members of your team
This workshop focuses on turning concern into action by making clear, meaningful asks. Learn how to recruit volunteers, give them a role, secure commitments that stick, and follow up effectively. The session aligns with Amnesty’s strategic shift toward participation, shared leadership, and collective responsibility for defending human rights.
FAQs
Is this for experienced activists? Show Hide
Yes. The programme includes advanced skills on strategy, leadership development, team growth and influencing political behaviour. It helps experienced activists sharpen their practice and build confident teams. You will also benefit from attending the 101 sessions to refresh and learn how to train others in these skills.
I am new to activism. Will this be welcoming? Show Hide
Yes. The foundational sessions are designed to be practical, supportive, and confidence building. New activists will learn the structure and skills needed to move from concern to action.
How do I access the training? Show Hide
All the sessions will be held on Zoom. Once you book, you will be sent a calendar invite and email with the Zoom links. Book now
Will the training be available to watch as a recording? Show Hide
In general, no. Each session is designed to be participatory and focus on making practical plans for action. However, if there are accessibility or significant scheduling reasons that make it hard for you to join the training, please reach out at [email protected] to discuss alternatives.
Do I have to do the 8 training sessions in order? Show Hide
Ideally, yes. The trainings are designed as a sequence, with one building on the next.
What if I can’t complete all 8 training sessions by April? Show Hide
That’s fine. Do as many as you can now and the programme will be renewed with new times from May onwards.
Will the training essions continue beyond May? Show Hide
Yes, this will become an ongoing programme for Amnesty. After the May elections we will release the next round of training.
Is this party political? Show Hide
No. Amnesty UK is independent and non-partisan. We hold all candidates and parties to the same human rights standards and support communities to act fairly and transparently.
How does this training build real power? Show Hide
By teaching how organised communities shift political incentives. You will learn how to connect with people, persuade without polarising, recruit others, and act together in ways that make human rights publicly expected and politically relevant.
How does this help grow the Amnesty movement? Show Hide
It develops local leaders, strengthens teams and builds a shared organising culture that carries beyond any one campaign or election. The skills support movement building and political organising as one strategy.