Advocacy

Megaphone

We collaborate with our members to advocate and provide a voice for Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) and the dietetic profession. We also promote the key role of APDs in helping manage disease and improving the nutritional status and wellbeing of Australians, and campaign to raise the awareness of the importance of nutrition as a key public health concern.

What is advocacy?

The word advocate derives from Medieval Latin, and means to summon or call to one’s aid.

An advocate (noun) is a person or organisation who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy, or who puts forward a case on someone else’s behalf. Advocates can also be known as supporters, champions, protectors, and patrons.

To advocate (verb) is to publicly recommend or support, campaign on behalf of, stand up for, argue for, or vouch for.

Members as key advocates

There is strength in numbers and our members play a central role in our advocacy activities; we could not achieve the influence and recognition we have without their expertise, skills and dedication.

Our members are well-placed to influence change on both a local and wider scale. Many members:

Join our advisory committees, project groups, and interest groups as a volunteer
Help us draft submissions, public statements, and media releases
Contributing their knowledge, experience and skills to our consultations and activities
Represent our Organisation on external committees
Build relationships with other professional and consumer organisations and Government departments
Work with the media as one of our volunteer Media Spokespeople
Write editorial, articles, hot topics, and responses to media misinformation for online and paper publications
Connect with other health professionals in their local area
Connect with clients and others in their community