Advocacy in Action: a Guide to Influencing Decision-Making In
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ADVOCACY IN ACTION A guide to influencing decision-making in Namibia Gender Research and Advocacy Project LEGAL ASSISTANCE CENTRE Windhoek 2004 Updated 2007 This publication was developed with assistance and support from the following organisations: National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) through a grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Women’s Legal Rights Initiative through a grant from USAID. This publication, was made possible through support provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS his publication was prepared by the Legal Assistance Centre with support from the Tfollowing organisations: Austrian Development Cooperation, the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) through a grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Women’s Legal Rights Initiative through a grant from USAID. This manual was written by Dianne Hubbard and Delia Ramsbotham of the Legal Assistance Centre, and illustrated by Nicky Marais. The following persons provided research for the manual: Dianne Hubbard, Legal Assistance Centre Delia Ramsbotham, Legal Assistance Centre, intern through the Young Professionals International Internship Program of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada, coordinated through the Canadian Bar Association Maria-Laure Knapp, Legal Assistance Centre, intern in a program of Youth International Internship Programme (YIIP) of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) of Canada, coordinated through Acadia University in Canada Evelyn Zimba, Legal Assistance Centre Anne Rimmer, a Development Worker funded by International Cooperation for Development (ICD) through the Catholic Institute for International Relations (CIIR). The contents of the manual were discussed at a workshop hosted by the Legal Assistance Centre and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs held on 6 November 2003. This workshop was opened by the Hon. Margie Mensah and attended by representatives of NGOs from various regions. Thanks to all those who attended and shared suggestions. We would like to thank the many government officials who took the time to answer queries and check drafts. Thanks in particular to the staff of Parliament for their assistance, specifically: Speaker’s Office at the National Assembly Deputy Secretary Mr Harker and his staff Clerks of the Parliamentary Committees National Assembly Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs National Assembly Legal Directorate Hansard Service Office of Library and Computer Services at the National Assembly. We would like to thank the staff of the following Ministries, Offices and Commissions: Office of the Attorney-General Office of the Ombudsman Law Reform and Development Commission National Planning Commission Municipality of Windhoek. We would also like to thank the following NGOs for their input: Institute for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa) Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Namibian Non-Governmental Organisations’ Forum (NANGOF) Namibia Community Radio Network The Namibian Namibian Economic Policy Research Unit (NEPRU) Sister Namibia Schoolnet Women’s Action for Development (WAD). Illustrations reprinted from previous Legal Assistance Centre publications were drawn by Nicky Marais and Dudley Viall. Kind permission to reprint photographs and logos was given by: Amnesty International Legal Assistance Centre NDI Office of Library and Computer Services at the National Assembly Office of the Ombudsman Sister Namibia United Nations. The layout of the manual is by Perri Caplan. Training activities associated with the Manual were planned and coordinated by Anne Rimmer of the Legal Assistance Centre. Information for the 2007 update was collected and compiled by Naomi Kisting, Judy Munyiri, Sophie van Wyk, Rachel Coomer and Dianne Hubbard. © Legal Assistance Centre 2004, updated 2007 Legal Assistance Centre 4 Körner Street PO Box 604 Windhoek Tel: 061-223356 Fax: 061-234953 Email: [email protected] Website: www.lac.org.na ISBN 99916-765-9-7 Revised version printed by Printech in Windhoek. CONTENTS Some sections of this manual give you information about how government works at different levels. You can lobby better if you are well-informed about structures and procedures. The sections which deal directly with ADVOCACY IN ACTION are listed in red. PART A: METHODS OF ADVOCACY CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 3 1. What is advocacy? ..................................................................................................3 2. Advocacy aimed at government ........................................................................4 3. Why advocacy is important in a democracy ...................................................5 4. Why do you need an advocacy manual? ..........................................................8 5. Updating your advocacy manual........................................................................9 CHAPTER 2: PLANNING AN ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN ...............................11 1. Resources ...............................................................................................................11 2. Ten steps in planning an advocacy campaign ..............................................12 STEP.1:.Identify.the.issue........................................................................................... 12 STEP.2:.Identify.other.groups.and.individuals.affected.by.the.issue......................... 12. STEP.3:.Define.your.goal............................................................................................. 12 STEP.4:.Develop.solutions........................................................................................... 13 STEP.5:.Build.coalitions.and.networks........................................................................ 14 STEP.6:.Identify.decision-makers................................................................................ 17 STEP.7:.Identify.your.advocacy.strategies.................................................................. 18 STEP.8:.Involve.the.media.......................................................................................... 18 STEP.9:.Build.public.awareness.and.support.............................................................. 18 STEP.10:.Evaluate.the.results.of.your.campaign.and.consider.follow-up.action....... 19 3. Approaches to advocacy ....................................................................................24 4. Staying motivated................................................................................................26 HOW.TO.PLAN.AN.ADVOCACY.CAMPAIGN:.AN.EXAMPLE.............................................. 27 CHAPTER 3: MEETINGS WITH DECISION-MAKERS..................................29 1. Advantages of using personal meetings .......................................................29 2. Arranging a meeting............................................................................................30 EXAMPLE.OF.A.LETTER.REQUESTING.A.MEETING.......................................................... 31 3. Presenting your concerns effectively ............................................................35 CHECKLIST.FOR.EFFECTIVE.MEETINGS.......................................................................... 38 4. Follow-up action ...................................................................................................38 EXAMPLE.OF.A.FOLLOW-UP.LETTER............................................................................. 39 CHAPTER 4: WRITING LETTERS .......................................................................................41 1. Benefits of letter writing campaigns .............................................................41 2. Picking your audience .........................................................................................41 3. Background information.....................................................................................42 4. Types of letters......................................................................................................42 EXAMPLES.OF.A.PERSONAL.LOBBYING.LETTER............................................................. 43 EXAMPLES.OF.OPEN.LOBBYING.LETTERS................................................................ 44,.46 EXAMPLE.OF.A.PREPARED.LOBBYING.LETTER............................................................... 49 EXAMPLE.OF.A.POSTCARD.CAMPAIGN.......................................................................... 50 CHAPTER 5: PETITIONS............................................................................................................ 53 1. What is a petition?...............................................................................................53 2. Where to send the petition ..............................................................................53 3. Recruiting support for a petition....................................................................54 4. Structure of a petition .......................................................................................54 EXAMPLE.OF.A.PETITION.............................................................................................