ADVOCACY A TOOLS FOR COMMUNITY NETWORKING
Asaah
WHAT IS ADVOCACY?
There
are many ways of defining advocacy but several of the most useful definitions we have found include: Advocacy is speaking up, drawing a communitys attention to an important issue, and directing decision makers toward a solution. Advocacy is an action or set of actions directed at changing policies or positions of an institution - such as a government agency - in support of a specific policy goal.
Advocacy
is putting a problem on the agenda, providing a solution to that problem, and building support for acting on both the problem and the solution. is the process of people participating in the decision making processes that affect their lives.
Advocacy
ADVOCACY DEFINED
Advocacy is a process that involves a series of political actions conducted by organized citizens in order to transform power relationships. The purpose of advocacy is to achieve specific policy changes that benefit the population involved in this process. These changes can take place in the public or private sector. Effective advocacy is conducted according to a strategic plan and within a reasonable time frame. The Arias Foundation (Costa Rica)
Advocacy
is speaking up, drawing a communitys attention to an important issue, and directing decision-makers toward a solution. Advocacy is working with other people and organizations to make a difference. From the Handbook on Advocacy for Women Leaders
Advocacy is defined as a process of social transformation aimed at shaping the direction of public participation, policies, and programs to benefit the marginalized, uphold human rights, and safeguard the environment. Advocacy is described as being pro-poor, reflecting core values such as equity, justice, and mutual respect, and focusing on empowering the poor and being accountable to them.Institute for Development
In
general advocacy is a political process designed to influence policy change at local, national or international levels. Speaking Up: drawing attention to an important issue and directing decision makers to a solution or an alternative Advocacy is the act of supporting a cause to produce a desired change. We advocate because we feel strongly about a particular issue. One target of advocacy is government policy
ADVOCACY IS A PROCESS (ELEMENTS OF ADVOCACY)
it
is designed and planned and should have a clear cut strategy it is targeted at policy change It is based on an intention it has to influence a change it should target political policy makers because all the decisions and books and issues around that we deal with, are all political decisions.
WHO CAN ENGAGE IN ADVOCACY?
Individuals/Community
groups Civil Society groups/ Development Agents Pressure groups Organisations Businesses Governments (e.g. at the level of the UN)
ADVOCACY STRATEGIES
Sensitizing
Mobilizing
Dialoguing Negotiating
Lobbying
Petitioning Pressuring Informing
GENERAL TECHNIQUES FOR EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY
Identify yourself: State your name and identify yourself as a constituent. Share other information about who you are if it is relevant to the issue (for example, if you are a parent, member of a civic organization, business owner, scientist, etc). Be Specific: Include the name and number of the relevant bill. Clearly describe the issue and state your goals. Make it Personal: The best thing you can do as a citizen advocate is give the issue your individual voice. Use personal examples and speak in your own words. Be Confident: Your officials job is to represent you. You may also know more about the issue than your elected official. That is why it is a good idea to offer yourself as a source of information.
Be Polite: Always work on the basis that the government and your opponents are open to reason and discussion. If you are rude, your message will not be received. Be Brief: Communication that focuses strongly on one argument is the most effective. Keep it to one issue. Limit written documents to one page. Be Timely: Your message is more likely to be considered if it is immediately relevant. Be Factual: Use facts and statistics. Make sure the information you provide is accurate.
WHAT IS LOBBYING
Lobbying
is targeting a person or group and persuading her/him/them to see an issue your way; and influencing them to take appropriate action to bring the desired change When lobbying you should have a goal in mind to influence others to see your reasoning and also think your way.
lobbying
sometimes looks more intimate than advocacy but lobbying can also be part of your advocacy strategy. It could be a tool in your advocacy strategy. Lobbying is a skill and is becoming a profession (UK, US) Lobbying can be used as a stand-a-lone, or a primary advocacy strategy; or in combination with other actions.
WHAT IS A CAMPAIGN?
A
series of actions advancing a principle or leading toward a particular end Crusading, exerting oneself continuously, vigorously or obtrusively to gain an end or goal - a social or political goal. An organized way of working involving a series of activities strung together in an integrated fashion, or in an escalating manner for high impact.
CAMPAIGN AND ADVOCACY WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
Related
but different Campaign can be an integral part of an advocacy effort An advocacy strategy can be undertaken incidental to a campaign as a consequence or subsequent to a campaign Sometimes used interchangeably or as an advocacy campaign May both achieve same policy ends but structure and organizing is a bit different
ACTIONS IN CAMPAIGNING
Investigating
issue Negotiations and arbitration Public forums of all sorts Media engagement letters to press etc Picketing and leafleting Demonstration, rallies, marches etc Limited strikes and boycotts Non- cooperation Massive and general strikes Getting arrested
WHAT GOES INTO CAMPAIGNS
It
is planned, mobilizing and organizing is high. It is implemented in a continuous manner (series). Needs evaluation at every stage and then re-strategize
