Advocacy can be defined as
‘a set of organized actions to change
public policies in a way that will empower the
marginalized.’ However, the definition
of advocacy depends on the context, the objective
and the actors. Most of all it depends on the
values, perspective and principles on which
it is based. That is what has the biggest impact
on the way information is interpreted and analyzed.
Advocacy & Communications Programme at Open
Forum puts you in a position of "standing
for", or advocating a particular action,
position or set of principles. In other words
you are trying to persuade and argue for the
position you are advocating.
Advocacy can be called as the
act of inducing and persuading the democratic
agencies to resolve various social issues. Advocacy
is a Latin term. The word ‘Ad’ means
‘in favour of’ and ‘Voca’
is to speak.... hence, the meaning of the word
‘advocacy’ is to speak in favour
of someone. The lawyers are also called advocates,
as they stand in favour of a side or a party.
In other words, advocacy is to speak for, or
support someone. Advocacy is essential for helping
the insignificant social elements, institutions,
communities and neglected public in acquiring
their rights and in making the concerned authorities
aware of their issues. E.g. inadequate ration
supply, diseases, especially contagious diseases
etc. Advocacy informs the common people in such
situations about the concerned authorities and
where and how to approach them. Such an organized
and collective effort is advocacy. Every nation
has always tried to constitute the government
policies in favour of the poor and neglected
ones. But it was America that created the science
of advocacy systematically. There are numerous
organizations in Washington DC, US capital influencing
American government policies, with the help
of advocacy. They bring the public issues to
the attention of the policymakers in innovative
manners. There are also some groups, which influence
the policies of various international organizations
such as UNO, World Bank, International Monitory
Fund. Democracy stands on four pillars –
legislature, judiciary, administration and media.
A development organization like us, specialized
in advocacy, liaises with these four institutions
and influences the policies with available resources.
So, in a sense, Civil Society Organizations
are the fifth and significant pillar of democracy.
Advocacy requires a lot of
diligence. One has to be very patient. And of
course, continuous efforts are absolutely essential.
Getting emotional does not prove helpful. Long
speeches & slogans are not enough here.
Study, analyzing and proper planning is the
key elements for advocacy. Its success depends
upon the strategy, tactics and capacity of the
activists, study, and knowledge about various
laws, policies, implementation processes &
proper handling of the media. In a democratic
society there are many different groups which
might have competing interests. You need to
make your voice heard and get your viewpoint
across to achieve your vision. The formal terminology
for this process is advocacy, lobbying and communication.
To do this most effectively, tools are available
for all our partner organizations. Advocacy,
lobbying and communication are the key approaches
to ensure the community in which you work is
best served by your community based organizations
(CBOs). Many CBOs already use these tools very
successfully. However, obstacles sometimes occur
when CBOs operate on their instincts, rather
than using more objective and structured tools
to ensure their impact is as wide as possible.
People expect CBOS to operate in a highly professional
manner. Open Forum helps partners and such CBOs
to ensure that they use these tools in the most
effective way possible. We, at Open Forum, will
look at advocacy, lobbying and communication
as separate processes, but also highlight the
links between them. Often they are difficult
to tell apart, but they need to work in harmony
to ensure campaigns are successful.
At Open Forum, Advocacy is
seen as part of the implementation of central
organizational policy with the purpose of empowering
people who live in absolute poverty and responding
to their needs. The commitment to advocacy is
reinforced in our Human Rights Policy, which
states that: ‘In the light of the development
of a human rights approach to poverty elimination,
Concern will seek to promote Human Rights at
local, national and international level through
advocacy, campaigning, education and networking
activities.’
In developing advocacy programming,
Open Forum will work within the following policies:
Policy
One |
Organizational
advocacy action will begin with a consultation
with people living in extreme poverty
and will proceed in three sequential steps
to an international perspective on rights
and needs. |
| Step 1: |
People
living in extreme poverty will participate
in decision-making about the advocacy
positions that the organization takes.
Open Forum will facilitate this through
our A&C programme process, which is
built on participation in analysis of
issues, in consideration of alternative
actions and in monitoring of progress
towards objectives. |
| Step 2: |
Organizational
advocacy actions suggested in Step 1 will
be reviewed and further developed in conjunction
with knowledgeable and altruistic members
of local civil society in those areas. |
| Step 3: |
Advocacy
actions in our ‘operational areas’
arising from Steps 1 and 2, and issues
arising from our core values will be further
developed and recommended in conjunction
with knowledgeable and altruistic members
of our own civil society where appropriate. |
| Policy
Two: |
We
will take a distinctive position, which
draws on our current experience and which
adds value to work being carried out by
others. |
| Policy
Three |
In
conflict-related situations where we have
a short-term presence, it is permissible
to conduct advocacy activities with regard
to the application of the Geneva Conventions
in general or to some particular section
of the Conventions that, based on our
direct observation on the ground, we may
feel is particularly relevant. |
| Policy
Four |
The
preferred means of initiating advocacy
activities in our operational areas where
we have a long-term presence is through
consultation with our target group, as
outlined in Policy One. Until such time
as we have developed a substantial portfolio
of advocacy positions in this way, we
will continue to operate the current non-participatory
advocacy approach. |
| Policy
Five |
Country
Directors are responsible for preparing
project proposals that include consideration
of the need for changes in power structures
that arise from consultations with people
living in extreme poverty in the country
for which they are responsible. |
| Policy
Six |
Advocacy
activities will be designed and presented
in the manner of normal overseas projects
and will be monitored using the same process
and procedures. |
| Policy
Seven |
Decisions
on whether or not to undertake advocacy
will depend on the impact that it is likely
to have in comparison with the impact
of the other forms of programmes we undertake.
Accordingly, the proportion of resources
to be allocated to advocacy will not be
pre-determined, but will arise out of
the normal programme budget development
process. |
Open Forum has been highlighting
the different thematic areas of development
issues and have also conducted National &
Regional Advocacy workshops for sensitizing
the issue. The workshops then conclude with
policy remarks for their incorporation in National
Programmes and Policies. To know more which
activities have been highlighted in recent days
on National Issues please visit our Recent Activities
Link. Open Forum has developed a framework for
people-centered advocacy. This differs from
policy-centered advocacy, which uses policy
analysis to advocate on behalf of people, in
that it is born from the people, and from that
perspective looks into policy.
Open Forum conducts certain
Strategic plan advocacy activities in interest
of people of nation. Open Forum develops advocacy
tools such as brochures, posters and audio-visual
materials, we have also been organizing advocacy
events at major policy issues, Open Forum has
coordinated advocacy efforts with other related
initiatives from mutual synergy to achieve the
set target. All activities carried out at our
Advocacy & Communications Programmes are
based on the truth that we will identify and
facilitate resolution of policy barriers, such
as regulations, development issues, unclear
roles and responsibilities, which may achieve
development of grassroots communities. Open
Forum has facilitated dialogue among in-country
actors with an interest in development process,
such as Ministries and Civil Society Organizations.
Such dialogue will encourage each to recognize
the inter-relatedness of their respective missions,
promote information and resource sharing, and
motivate cooperation in planning and implementation
of programs.
At Open Forum, aims of Advocacy
Programmes are to:
| • |
To bring the attention of
the policy-makers to the issues of the oppressed
ones in the society. |
| • |
To influence the making and implementation
those of policies. |
| • |
To apprise the common man about the details
of various policies, schemes, programmes
for social welfare and the existing systems. |
| • |
To enhance the skills and outlook for
proper execution of policies. |
| • |
To create a ‘people-oriented’
government system. |
| • |
To create more and more social advocates
from the civil society. |
