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INTRODUCTION TO ADVOCACY Silvia Petretti Deputy CEO Positively UK Taking Part Project Session 1. What is advocacy?. Advocacy is a set of organised a ctivities designed to influence the policies and actions of others to achieve change
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INTRODUCTION TO ADVOCACYSilvia PetrettiDeputy CEOPositively UKTaking Part ProjectSession 1
What is advocacy? • Advocacyis a set of organised activities designed to influence the policies and actions of others to achieve change • Advocacymust always be about getting a change in actions not just in understanding.
What is advocacy? • Changingthe decision making processes • Empowering ourselves to have the confidence skills and opportunities to influence change
“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” (An Introduction to Advocacy: Training Guide, Ritu R Sharma, Academy for Education Development)
Effective Advocacy • Clearly articulates the problem • Offers positive and credible alternatives • Is directed at those with power to make changes • Has clear goals and measurable objectives
Effective Advocacy • Is a long term process, not a one off event • Follows through to ensure policy changes lead to improvements in practice • Is based on a belief that change is possible – and inspires others to do the same
Empowering Advocacy • Openspolitical space and opportunities to influence for others • Reflectsthe value it seeks to promote • Challengesimbalances of power or structure which prevents people to access their rights
Empowering Advocacy looks at power distribution -Who gets what? distribution & control of resources • Who does what? division of labour • Who decides what? decision-making power • Who sets the agenda? The power to determine whose issues/priorites come to the table for discussion
Where is power exercised? • The public realm of power – workplace, politics ,legal system • The private realm of power –relationship within the family, including marriage and sexual relationships • The intimate realm of power – self-confidence, self-esteem and self-image
Effective advocacy is planned • We can head in right direction • Break down goals in manageable pieces • Use the right tools • Use scarce resources wisely by making strategic choices • Make sure activities reinforce rather than undermine each other • Get timing right • Be prepared for opposition
