• The Open University
  • Oxfam

Make Change Happen

Strengthen the skills you need to work with others to tackle injustice.

17,849 enrolled on this course

Make Change Happen

17,849 enrolled on this course

  • 8 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    8 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Learn what drives positive social change in your role as a changemaker

If we want to make lasting social and political change we must understand power dynamics, systems and influencing strategies that can shift the status quo. This free to access course will help you understand the context of the issues you’re passionate about and your existing sources of power and influence.

You’ll be guided by examples of successful international movements and community action, and connect with changemakers worldwide. Ultimately, you’ll finish this course with the skills you need to spot and act upon opportunities, and contribute to the change you want to see in your community and the world.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    What kind of change are we talking about?

    • Three women protesting at World Refugee Day. Two of the women raise their fists in the air. One holds a sign and the other shouts into a microphone.

      Introduction to the course

      Find out about the aims of the course and how to get the most out of it.

    • A photohtaph of Pushpanath Krishnamurthy walking along the pavement. He wears a yellow coat and backpack. He carries a walking stick.

      Change begins with us

      Being an effective changemaker includes an awareness of who we are, what drives our thinking, our power, prejudices and values, and understanding what privileges we have, or don’t have, relative to others.

    • A group of four women sit in a circle on the floor. One types on a laptop, while another has an open notebook in front of her.

      Understanding change

      Change comes in many guises and happens in many ways.

    • Veronica Simogun speaks to a group of people affected by gender-based violence. Behind her is a sign which says "Family for Change".

      Changemakers and their stories

      Changemakers are people who step forward to make a positive difference in their communities or in wider society. We hear from some about how they understand change and why they got involved in making change happen.

    • Njabulo Hlophe AKA Dirty Native, paints a mural in a bus station in Grabouw, South Africa. The mural is brightly coloured in orange, blue and green and depicts an image of flowers and animals.

      Different forms of change

      Looking more deeply at the different forms that social and political change can take.

  • Week 2

    Understanding the context of change

    • What is context?

      Understanding the context for change

    • Grace Ngbaleo speaks to a group of people. She raises her left hand in the air, smiling. In the other hand, she holds a microphone.

      The change you would like to see

      Now is an opportunity for you to reflect on the change that you would like to focus on during the rest of this course, so that you can apply the learning to a real life situation and take action.

  • Week 3

    Taking a power and systems approach

    • Two women protesting. One holds a sign and speaks into a microphone while the other looks on, supporting her.

      Understanding systems

      How systems change, a case study on bringing change to a system, and a power and systems approach.

    • A photograph of Lidia Taborga Mendoza speaking to two women in Bolivia. The woman on the right wears an Oxfam jacket.

      Defining power

      Power - what is it, what different forms does it take and why is it important for changemakers?

    • Tools for analysing

      Understanding where power is held and how it is expressed and used.

    • Five women walk from left to right in the frame of the photo.

      Summary

      A chance to recap what you've learned and look forward to next week.

  • Week 4

    The power of collective action

    • A group of women sit cross-legged on the floor. Several of them hold their hands in the prayer position.

      Collective action

      The power and meaning of collective action, and why it is a critical element in achieving change.

    • A group of women wearing brightly coloured saris sit together. They smile as they look at something out of frame.

      Working in partnership with others

      Why working alongside other people and groups can ensure you bring power to your change action.

    • Zaibunissa Mallah sits smiling at a community event.

      What drives a changemaker?

      Changemakers are often driven by a passion and interest in making change happen aligned to their values. What drives you?

  • Week 5

    Spheres of influence

    • Samreen Babukha speaking in the centre of a group of people who sit on chairs and benches in a circle around her.

      Understanding influence

      Exploring the spheres of influence, control, concern and interest.

    • Members of a refugee women's group sit in a training session. Some are taking notes.

      Where the power lies

      Mapping where the power lies in any situation and identifying where you can most effectively influence change.

  • Week 6

    Developing strong messages for change

    • An Oxfam Campaigner holding 'Say Yes To Less' flag at the 2019 Glastonbury Festival.

      Influencing strategies

      Developing strong messages that inspire others by appealing to head, heart and hands as part of your influencing strategy.

    • Megan Jones, an Oxfam Campaigner speaks to festival goers about Oxfam's climate campaign by the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, UK.

      Developing messages

      Storytelling and strong narratives are key to effective influencing and campaigning.

  • Week 7

    Taking action to make change happen

    • An aerial view image looking down on Oxfam and Greenpeace ambassadors. They all wear green coloured t-shirts and hold flags.

      Strategy and tactics

      There are a huge array of possible strategies and tactics that you can choose to use to make change happen.

    • Iffat Tahmid Fatema writes with felt tip on a flip chart.

      Developing your action plan

      Checking your assumptions, recognising the risks and developing your action plan.

    • Protesters holding signs which say "Freedom", "Where is human rights?" and "We are human."

      Taking action

      Taking steps to implement your plan.

    • Shiro Olawale stands in a room full of people. He holds up a sign, showing it to them. On the back of his t-shirt, it says "Act now, act together".

      Summary

      A chance to recap what you've learned and look forward to next week.

  • Week 8

    Tackling challenges and taking your next steps

    • María Esther Argueta, a community leader, speaks in to a megaphone.

      Reflecting on change

      Learning from experience

    • A large group of people walk through the streets holding brightly coloured Pride rainbow flags and carry Pride signs saying things like "We have the right to dance, sing and enjoy life."

      Overcoming challenges

      There are always challenges along the way.

    • A group of Oxfam supporters hold up Pride signs. Some of the signs say things like "Equality knows no boarders, love knows no boarders.", "We have the right to dance, sing and enjoy life.", and "No rest until everyone cares for LGBTQIA+ rights."

      Stay inspired, stay connected and stay focused.

      Taking your next steps and connecting with others is a powerful part of your journey as a changemaker.

    • Trade union activists taking part in a demonstration advocating workers' rights.

      Summary

      A chance to recap what you've learned throughout this course.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain key ideas about systems, power and how change happens
  • Identify key openings and opportunities to bring about change
  • Apply and understand a broad range of ways to bring about change
  • Contribute, connect and collaborate with other change makers around the globe
  • Develop and increase confidence to organise and lead others to take action for social justice
  • Engage in a personal change action

Who is the course for?

This course is aimed at activists and change agents with a personal or professional interest in how change happens, and who want to be more effective at delivering change for good.

Who will you learn with?

Beverly Wakiaga

Beverly Wakiaga is a Digital Communications Manager at Oxfam GB, passionate about finding unique and innovative ways to share ideas and knowledge on social media.

Carlos Aguilar

Carlos is working with Oxfam on climate justice in Latin America. He considers that collective leadership and sharing experiences are key processes to make changes.

Emily Gillingham

Emily is part of the Oxfam team that finds new and engaging ways to share knowledge and learning to support the movement of people against poverty.

Rissi Assani

I am passionate about promoting safe spaces for women to influence and advocate for their rights. As a feminist I am also engaged in mobilising around gender justice issues and transformative changes.

Thomas Dunmore Rodriguez

I work at Oxfam supporting influencing, campaigns and advocacy worldwide. I am inspired by the activism of social movements that make change happen in Latin America and other parts of the world.

Naana Nkansah  Agyekum

Hi, I'm the Communications Manager for Proforest Africa. Having worked as a journalist, I love to connect with people and listen to their stories. Why? Because we can use our stories to drive change.

Cooper King

I work for Oxfam and centre my work on ending the injustice of inequality, as well as an archive dedicated to preserving LGBT+ books, newspaper, and more. (They/he pronouns)

Who developed the course?

The Open University

The Open University

As the UK’s largest university, The Open University (OU) supports thousands of students to achieve their goals and ambitions via supported distance learning, helping to fit learning around professional and personal life commitments.

  • Established

    1969
  • Location

    Milton Keynes, UK
  • World ranking

    Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020
Oxfam

Oxfam

Oxfam is part of a global movement of people, working together to end the injustice of poverty. That means we tackle the inequality that keeps people poor.

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Limited access

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$79/one-off payment

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerSample the course materials
Access to this courseticktick

Access expires 9 Apr 2025

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$79/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 9 Apr 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Learner reviews

Get a taste of this course

Find out what this course is like by previewing some of the course steps before you join:

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...

You can use the hashtag #FLMakeChange to talk about this course on social media.