Advocacy
– two approaches
Advocacy aims to alter the ways in which power, resources, and ideas
are created, used and distributed so that people and organisations have a
better chance of controlling their own development.
The opportunities for CSOs to effect policy are increasing for three
main reasons
- the rise of participatory development and participatory democracy
- working with partners in a rights-based approach gives a more
powerful voice,
- CSOs are increasingly expected to become service providers as a
means of compensating for cuts in government expenditure and therefore
have a more direct involvement in policy development.
There are two approaches to advocacy
Abolitionist approach
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Target the political level.
This approach attempts to influence high-level processes,
structures and patterns of thinking. It takes on massive interest
groups and requires a huge base of support if it is to achieve its
aims. It is likely be critical of the way things are normally done
and therefore to be confrontational and possibly opposed by the
established powers.
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Reformist approach
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Target the technical and regional levels.
This approach tries to influence specific policies, programmes or
projects often at a local or district level. It involves talking
with people who are open to change but it needs a high level of
technical knowledge based on practical experience if the views of
the CSO are to be taken seriously. Advocacy in this form is likely
to take place behind closed doors and is co-operative.
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In both cases it is important to
Target
particular people
Spend time developing relationships with the people who are key to the
success of your campaign. Think about targets in terms of individuals
rather than institutions. ‘The Ministry of Education does not exist’.
Find out as much as you can about the individual, and about the aims,
objectives and plans of their organisation.
Define your primary targets as those people who are in the best
position to achieve what you want done. If your chosen route to that
particular person is not working, take a step back and look for a new 'way
in'.
- Who are the primary targets for your organisation?
- What do you need to know about them, and/or their
organisation, that you do not already know?
- What have you learned from past experiences that did not work?
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