LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- The first cohort of the Neurodiversity Awareness Fellowship Programme for Anglophone West Africa are gearing up to lead grassroots advocacy projects across five countries, after completing a nine-week training programme to promote inclusion for neurodivergent individuals.
In partnership with Meristem Trustees Limited, the neurodivergent fellowship was organized by the Punuka Foundation, to equip fresh advocates with the skills and practical tools needed to promote neurodiversity around them.
The faculty included Dr. Tom Nicholson, Dr. Gifty Rockson, Dr. Ayodele Renner, Mr. Ogunyemi Kunle, Olubunmi Asotie, Mubarak Idris, Iswat Badmus, Ebuka Alumona, and Mr. Joseph Julius.
At the training, participants engaged in expert-led sessions covering key areas related to neurodiversity, education, advocacy, policy development, leadership, and community engagement.
The in-depth curriculum explored the history and evolution of neurodiversity in West Africa, the science behind neurodivergence, inclusive education practices, legal and policy frameworks, public awareness strategies, project management, monitoring and evaluation, as well as stakeholder engagement.
Speaking on the completion of the training phase, organizers expressed appreciation to the faculty members for their commitment and expert knowledge.
Notably, the new fellows will now proceed to the implementation phase of the programme, which will take place in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia.
They are expected to design and execute community-focused awareness and advocacy initiatives aimed at increasing understanding of neurodiversity and supporting neurodivergent individuals.
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Theor projects are expected to encourage greater inclusion, challenge misconceptions, and strengthen support systems at the grassroots level.
Organizers state that the programme is focused on creating long-term social impact by empowering advocates to promote inclusive education, engage relevant stakeholders, and drive positive change within their local communities.
They also recognized the contribution of Meristem Trustees Limited for supporting inclusive education initiatives and broader social development efforts.
Stakeholders are set to closely track the progress of the fellows projects during the implementation phase, while outcomes from the various interventions are expected to provide insights into the programme’s impact across participating communities in the coming weeks.
