Advocacy and Lobbying for Marriage Migrants

1. Advocacy and Lobbying for Marriage Migrants Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM), Kowloon, Hong Kong May 2011

2. Outline • Definition of Advocacy and Lobbying • Relevance of Advocacy and Lobbying to MMs as a Sector • Developing an Advocacy Campaign • Developing a Lobby Campaign

3. I. Definition of Advocacy and Lobbying • Advocacy – a pre-planned activity or series of activities done by CSOs designed to change public opinion and influence state policies. • Lobbying – advocacy efforts that are specifically intended to influence legislation. This may either be direct or indirect (i.e., grassroots), but the target is ultimately the enactment, amendment or implementation of laws that favor the lobby group's interests.

4. I. Definition…(cont’d.) • Difference between Advocacy and Lobbying • Lobbying usually attempts to influence legislation at the local or national level, whereas advocacy is a much broader range of activities which may or may not include lobbying. This distinction is helpful to keep in mind because it means that principles governing CSO lobbying do not necessarily apply to other advocacy activities.

5. II. Relevance of Advocacy and Lobbying to MMs as a Sector • as tools for breaking down cultural prejudices against marriage migrants • as tools for seeking an end to discriminatory state policies on marriage migrants • as tools for amplifying the voice of marriage migrants everywhere

6. III. Developing an Advocacy Campaign • Advocacy is most effective when conducted and gradually built up over a period of time. • Advocacy campaigns make use of a variety of methods for getting a set of messages across to their target audiences.

7. Most commonly used methods of advocacy: • Rallies • Petition-signing • Letter-barrage • Symposia • Sports/cultural activities • Publications

8. Steps to Conducting an Advocacy Campaign Planning Phase • Know the issue • Set the objectives • Identify the audience • Know the “friendlies” and “hostiles” • Determine the methods • Divide and assign tasks  Propaganda, Media Liaison, Spokesperson, Finance, Campaign Coordinator • Plan jointly with “friendlies” • Ensure unification of all participating organizations around the plan

9. Implementation Phase • Launch the campaign with a conceptually appropriate activity • Constantly and closely monitor the implementation of plans • Ensure good tactical leadership • Give a substantial role to team leaders

10. Closure Phase • Consult with the network before making any recommendation to end or scale down the campaign • After deciding to close, hold an assessment immediately • In the assessment, identify gains as well as shortcomings; derive lessons and suggest solutions

11. 4. Developing a Lobby Campaign • Lobby work seeks to influence public officials for or against a specific cause. • Elected and appointed officials are both important in a lobby strategy. • Lobbying can be an integral part of an advocacy campaign

12. Commonly used methods in lobbying • Congressional trooping • Mail-barrage • Personalized appeal letters • Telephoning the legislator • Dialogue with the legislator and his allies • Media-trooping

13. Steps to Conducting a Lobby Campaign • Know the issue thoroughly, esp. related legislation and jurisprudence • Conduct power-mapping on the issue • Draft a lobby campaign plan • Have the plan commented on • Form and brief the lobby team  lobby-officer • Communicate and unite with allies • Launch the lobby campaign • Hold consultation for ending the campaign • Promptly assess the whole campaign

14. END!