Advocacy in Action a Guide to Influencing Decision-Making in Namibia
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Advocacy in Action A guide to influencing decision-making in Namibia WLR Women's Legal Rights Initiative 2004 WLR Women's Legal Rights Initiative Contract No. GEW-I-01-02-00016-00 This publication was prepared by the Legal Assistance Center in Namibia, with partial support from the Women’s Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) through a grant from USAID. WLR-Southern Africa implements projects in Swaziland, Lesotho, South Africa, and Mozambique. The Advocacy in Action manual initially developed for Namibia has also been adapted to Swaziland and Mozambique. Note: WLR is a task order under the Women in Development IQC and Chemonics is one of the holders. The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. ADVOCACY IN ACTION AA guideguide toto influencinginfluencing decision-makingdecision-making inin NamibiaNamibia Gender Research and Advocacy Project LEGAL ASSISTANCE CENTRE Windhoek, 2004 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS his publication was prepared by the Legal Assistance Centre with support from the TNational Democratic Institute for International Affairs. This manual was written by Dianne Hubbard and Delia Ramsbotham of the Legal Assistance Centre. 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: Idasa Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) NANGOF Namibia Community Radio Network The Namibian NEPRU Sister Namibia Schoolnet Women’s Action for Development (WAD). Illustrations re-printed from previous Legal Assistance Centre publications were drawn by Nicky Marais and Dudley Viall. Kind permission to re-print 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 have been planned and coordinated by Anne Rimmer of the Legal Assistance Centre. © Legal Assistance Centre 2004 ISBN 99916-765-9-7 Legal Assistance Centre 4 Körner Street P.O. Box 604 Windhoek Tel: 061-223356 Fax: 061-234953 Email: [email protected] Website: www.lac.org.na 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 .............................................................................. 15 STEP 7: Identify your advocacy strategies ................................................................ 16 STEP 8: Involve the media ......................................................................................... 16 STEP 9: Build public awareness and support ............................................................ 16 STEP 10: Evaluate the results of your campaign and consider follow-up action ..... 17 3. Approaches to advocacy .................................................................................... 21 4. Staying motivated ..................................................................................... 14 HOW TO PLAN AN ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN: AN EXAMPLE ............................................ 25 CHAPTER 3: MEETINGS WITH DECISION-MAKERS ................................ 27 1. Advantages of using personal meetings ................................................. 27 2. Arranging a meeting ................................................................................. 28 EXAMPLE OF A LETTER REQUESTING A MEETING .................................................. 29 3. Presenting your concerns effectively ..................................................... 33 CHECKLIST FOR EFFECTIVE MEETINGS ................................................................. 35 4. Follow-up action ........................................................................................ 35 EXAMPLE OF A FOLLOW-UP LETTER .................................................................... 36 CHAPTER 4: WRITING LETTERS ...................................................................................... 37 1. Benefits of letter writing campaigns ............................................................ 37 2. Picking your audience ........................................................................................ 37 3. Background information ................................................................................... 38 4. Types of letters..................................................................................................... 38 EXAMPLE OF A PERSONAL LOBBYING LETTER ............................................................. 39 EXAMPLE OF AN OPEN LOBBYING LETTER .................................................................. 40 EXAMPLE OF A PREPARED LOBBYING LETTER ............................................................. 43 EXAMPLE OF A POSTCARD CAMPAIGN ........................................................................ 44 CHAPTER 5: PETITIONS ........................................................................................................... 47 1. What is a petition? .............................................................................................. 47 2. Where to send the petition .............................................................................. 47 3. Recruiting support for a petition ................................................................... 48 4. Structure of a petition ...................................................................................... 48 EXAMPLE OF A PETITION ............................................................................................ 50 PETITION ON GENDER LAWS ....................................................................................... 51 5. Submitting a petition ......................................................................................... 52 GETTING YOUR PETITION NOTICED .............................................................................