Tools for Educators and Parents
Building Global Advocacy
World Learning
Projects in International Development and Training. School for International Training
Links to Policy Advocacy Resources
Definition of Advocacy: A specific change in a program or determined decision that is defined and achieved through a strategic plan.
Specific change: know where you are going, what you want to achieve.
Program or policy: what is the target, the influence you seek to achieve?
Strategic plan: how to take advantage of limited resources in an efficient manner.
Advocacy is a means of increasing the influence, or voice, of citizens regarding the government. More than simply by voting, advocacy is carried out in the media, through direct meetings with congressional representatives, demonstrations, meetings, etc.
(Source: WOLA)
STEPS to take ACTION:
Rule 1: Know what you want
Rule 2: Know who makes the decision
Rule 3: Know the time line and decision-making process
To carry out advocacy work, a number of methods are utilized by WOLA Associates, depending on the goal of each case. Some of the methods used by Rachel Garst for Guatemala include:
Make appointments for prominent human rights leaders, with Congressional representatives.
Write memos with relevant information on a given problem.
In the case of issues requiring a Congressional vote, mobilize community or church organizations and encourage them to write to their Congressional representatives.
Press releases and interviews.
To carry out an effective advocacy campaign, it is crucial to have a clear goal and a well-outlined strategy to achieve it.
SAMPLE ADVOCACY PLAN
Steps in formulating an advocacy plan:
Analysis of the Problem The proposed solution to the problem should address specific components of the problem.
Definition of Goals and Objectives
Power Analysis
Decision-making spaces
Power Map
Definition of opponents, allies and undecided
Definition of the most influential actors
Self analysis: Strengths and weaknesses
Strategy of Influence
What are the most important points of the law to defend?
Definition of the most influential actors
For each of the main actors:
Motivations and arguments
Strengths and weaknesses
How to influence them: arguments and actions
Press strategy
Activity plan
Preparation of the strategy
Preparation of proposals and arguments
Communication and pressure
ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM
Explanation: The group participates in an exercise in which they analyze the problem, break it down into components, and suggest possible solutions for each component. For example, one component is threats to judges and witnesses, and the corresponding solution is a protection program. Another component of the problem is corruption on the part of judges. Possible solutions include training in ethics or a salary increase. The idea is to define the problem and its components with enough specificity that it is possible to form concrete proposals.
Analysis of the Situation of Children in Guatemala
The group spoke of the principal causes of the violations of children's rights, including lack of health care, education and space for recreation as well as violence and abuse. According to Rebeca de Mendia (PRODEN), there are a number of structural causes for the violations of children's rights. First, there is poverty, which is expressed in insufficient income and a lack of basic necessities. For example, with the exception of the administration in 1945, the government has not given sufficient attention to education. Currently there is a 49% illiteracy rate, and there is a high level of absenteeism and a high dropout rate. There are also deficiencies in the health care system: only 50% of the population is covered, 25% through the national health care system in the Constitution:
SAMPLE SOLUTIONS
Organize stories that illustrate different messages, contacting the institutions or individuals that might provide information for journalists in each case.
Contact journalists to suggest that they write about the issue.
Make statements in cases where there are newsworthy events involving children.
Ask one or more teachers to write an article for the weekend newspaper editions.
Organize press coverage for visits to congressional representatives.
Organize press coverage for activities that are planned.
(Source WOLA)
Resources for Research
Members of the Non Governmental Association for the Convention on the Rights of the Child
To carry out its mandate, the NGO Group has undertaken a number of projects. First and foremost among them is to facilitate contact between the non-governmental community and the Committee on the Rights of the Child with particular emphasis on securing all relevant information for the State reporting process.
Second, in order to expand and consolidate their children's rights expertise, members of the NGO Group have created subgroups to follow the activities of the United Nations relating to the rights of the child. Subgroups have been formed to follow such topics as child labor, sexual exploitation, refugee children and children in armed conflict, children in conflict with the law, education and the media.
Third, to facilitate the monitoring and implementation of the Convention at the national level, the NGO Group is working to encourage the creation and development of national coalitions of non-governmental organizations working with children.
The NGO Group has published a number of documents and booklets aimed at providing information about the content and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Child. These publications include brochures on combating the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography; eliminating the exploitation of child labor; education on the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and a Guide for NGOs reporting to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. All publications are available from the Secretariat of the NGO Group in English, French, and Spanish for a nominal fee.
Association Gruppo ABELE
Anti-Slavery International
Associated Country Women of the World
Baha'i International Community
Christian Children's Fund, Inc.
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
Defence for Children International
EACH European Association for Children in Hospital
Friends World Committee for Consultation (Quakers)
Human Rights Watch
Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the Health of Women & Children
International Abolitionist Federation
International Alliance of Women
International Association for the Child's Right to Play
International Association of Juvenile and Family Court Magistrates
International Catholic Child Bureau
International Council of Jewish Women
International Council of Women
International Federation of Business and Professional Women
International Federation of Social Workers
International Federation of Women in Legal Careers
International Federation "Terre des Hommes"
International Inner Wheel
International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism
International Movement "ATD Fourth World"
International Save the Children Alliance
International School Psychology Association
International Social Service
Jubilee Campaign
Lutheran World Federation
Plan International
Save the Children Sweden (Rädda Barnen)
Soroptimist International
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
World Federation of Methodist And Uniting Church Women
World Federation of United Nations Associations
World Jewish Congress
World Organization against Torture/SOS-Torture
World Organization for Early Childhood Education
World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations
World Vision International
Women's World Summit Foundation
Zonta International
Subgroups
• The Subgroup on Child Labour, chaired by Anti- Slavery International
• The Subgroup on Children in Armed Conflict and Displacement, chaired by Terre des Hommes
• The Subgroup on Sexual Exploitation of Children jointly chaired by World Vision and the International Federation of Social Workers
• The Subgroup on Education and Media, chaired by the International School Psychologist Association.
• The Task Force on National Coalitions, chaired by Radda Barna on behalf of Save the Children Alliance.
• The Juvenile Justice Subgroup, chaired by Defence for Children International
