ADVOCACY – Group 1

 Advocacy can be defined as "the act of pleading or arguing in favor of something" (American
Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language 2011). Meanwhile, an advocate is "a person who
pleads in another's behalf, or is an intercessor" (American Heritage Dictionary of the English
Language 2011). Thus, having an advocate means having someone who can back you up or speak
up for you when your voice is not being heard. This is especially important for individuals or
groups who face social problems or crisis situations wherein they are discriminated, excluded,
marginalized, oppressed, or subordinated (DEMOS). Having an advocate can give such people
hope.
 Civil society organizations (CSOs) and human rights defenders in different parts of world are
working as advocates for the protection of people who experience DEMOS. These groups also
raise the people's voice in an effective manner. An advocacy is usually done by educating the
people or by influencing the general public, the government, policymakers, or other entities (such
as private corporations) to effectively address people's needs and achieve long-lasting positive
changes. It must be noted, however, that advocacy is a means rather than an end. Specifically, it
serves as a means to empower the marginalized and the powerless so that they may be able to
gain a better policy environment with implications for the implementation of policies (AIPP
2013). Advocacies result to positive changes that could be in the form of policies, laws, programs,
and projects designed to effectively improve people's situation in life. Other key results where
positive changes occur due to advocacy work are the following (McFarland 2008):
 Building support for a cause and influencing others to address an issue by taking action
 Making sure that financial support can be allotted for specific programs and services
 Persuading and convincing power holders (such as government officials) to pay attention and
provide support to particular development approaches and services
 Raising the awareness of the public regarding a particular social issue or problem and mobilizing
them to pressure those in positions of authority or influence to address the situation
 Creating support among people in the community for the implementation of a particular
development intervention
Thus, activities involving advocacy are deliberately persuasive and campaign-oriented. They are targeted
mainly to people who have authority over others such as decision-makers, leaders, policymakers, and
people who are in positions of power and influence. Aside from decision-makers, other stakeholders in an
advocacy campaign are the beneficiaries of the advocacy, allies and partners supporting the advocacy, and
adversary’s hostile to the cause of the advocacy. There are three types of advocacies, and these are the
following (UN 2012, CED 2016):

 Systems advocacy focuses on efforts that shall change policies and practices at the local, national,
or international levels so that lasting changes will be brought to the lives of groups or individuals
who share similar problems.
 Individual advocacy focuses on efforts that will change the situation of an individual and protect
his or her rights.
 Self-advocacy focuses on strengthening an individual's ability to communicate with other people, and at the
same time persuading and convincing the individual to address his or her own needs and rights. Aside from
human beings, it is also possible to have an advocacy on other beings such as plants and animals, especially
when their existence is endangered or threatened by human acts. Humans can advocate for them since in a
sustainable development perspective, we are caretakers or stewards of Earth; thus, it is our solemn duty to
protect, conserve, and preserve the environment for the benefit of the next generation.
Advocacy versus Other Related Concepts – Group 2
It is important to distinguish advocacy from other related concepts, which might be mistaken as an
advocacy activity. Specifically, advocacy is often confused with (1) behavior change communication
(BCC) or information, education, communication (IEC); (2) community development (ComDev); (3)
networking and partnerships (N&P); and (4) fund- and resource mobilization (FRRM). Table 8.1
distinguishes the five concepts from one another.
Methods of Doing Advocacy Work - Group 3
There are different ways of doing an advocacy.
It may take different forms (e.g., written, spoken, sung, or acted); it may vary in the time span (e.g., from
an hour to several years); or it can be done by an individual, or more effectively, through collective
action. What matters most is that the advocacy is led by the people who are mostly affected by the
problem; or if not prepared to lead, are directly involved in the issue. It is also important to ask these
people's permission before any advocacy work takes place so that the endeavor will be legitimized.

Doing advocacy work can either be reactive or proactive (Alliance 2003). In reactive advocacy, problem
or issue is already there and the advocacy is being used to reduce the problem. An example of reactive
advocacy is an advocacy for the suspension construction project that can potentially destroy the
environment and threaten the livelihood of the surrounding communities. On the other hand, proactive
advocacy estimate focused of planning for the future, in which an agenda is set in creating a policy that
will prevent a balm before it happens. An example of proactive advocacy is an advocacy for making
problem existing buildings resilient against earthquakes so as to prevent or lessen the impact of a major
catastrophe.
Whether an advocacy work is reactive or proactive, one can further understand what advocacy work is all
about if he or she is able to identify possible methods of undertaking such work. According to Alliance
(2003), these methods are the following:
Analyzing and influencing legislation or policies. This involves analyzing draft policies, new policies,
long-established policies, or even traditional laws and customs created and communicated without being
written down. Analysis involves identifying who benefits and loses from the legislation or policy, its
impact to marginalized groups, and its comprehensibility to ordinary. The goal of the analysis is to
suggest ways on how the legislation or policy can be improved or better implemented.
Producing a position paper. A position paper is a document that is intended to be read by a target group
or an external audience. It clearly states the opinion of an organization (or a coalition of organizations)
about a particular issue. The message of the document is: "This is what we think about this topic, and this
is what we recommend." Created to explain an alternative or supporting position, a position paper is
usually sent to local and national government agencies during consultations, or to influential people in
response to a policy or A position paper often contains (a) a statement of the main argument; (b)
background of why the position is being written; (c) quantitative and qualitative evidence supporting the
argument; (d) logical explanation on how the pieces of evidence lead to the main argument; (e)
recommendations; and (f) organizations and individuals supporting the position.
Producing a briefing note. A brief note is a document written to help an ally speak publicly in support of
one's advocacy. It is usually written to assist an ally in supporting the advocacy objective at a high-level
meeting. It is also used to summarize the agreed advocacy objectives and messages of a coalition in order
to ensure that all members of the coalition give a consistent message.
Holding a face-to-face meeting with the decision-maker. This involves successfully setting up a
meeting with a targeted decision-maker using a formal letter, a direct face- to-face approach when the
chance occurs, or through a common friend. Once the meeting takes place, the target person must be
analyzed well and the message should be delivered clearly by explaining (a) what you want to achieve;
(b) why you want to achieve it (the benefits of taking action, and/or the negative effects of doing
nothing); (c) how you propose to achieve it; and (d) what feasible action you want the target person to
take.
Writing and delivering a presentation. A presentation is a formal way of delivering a message in front
of a target audience. It can be in a form of a small group discussion or a formal presentation in a forum or
conference. When delivering a presentation, one must make sure that facts and opinions are offered, the
audience is directly addressed and spoken to, visuals are used to stress a point, and a written copy of the
presentation is given to the audience.
Persuading through drama. Drama is an effective advocacy platform because it brings issues to life,
making the advocacy more emotionally powerful to the target audience, through drama, the advocacy
becomes more interesting, relevant, and easy to understand. Drama by itself can be a powerful way to
convey messages and persuade people who have different levels of analytical skills and have varying
experiences at the local, national, and international levels. Its impact can be increased by incorporating
activities that involve the audience. For example, discussions can be held with the audience after the
performance (called forum theater) so that whatever has been portrayed can be deepened. This will allow
people to contribute in sharing possible courses of action for the characters in the drama. Drama can
address sensitive issues that are difficult to talk about. It can also be used as evidence to support an issue.
Group 4
Writing and using a press release. A press release, also known as media release or news release, is a
statement or news story prepared and distributed to the press. The aim of a press release may be any one
or a combination of the following: to (a) convey an organization's response to an event/action or provide
background information on an issue/event or action; (b) draw attention to an issue or announce new
campaigns; or (c) give an advance notice of an event or circulate speeches beforehand. Once a press
release has been written, it should be given to selected journalists and/or press associations either by fax
or e-mail. Once the journalists receive the press release, it will be up to them to consider whether to
feature the story in their media work. It is thus advisable to build good relations with the media to
increase the chances of the press release to be circulated.
Carrying out a media interview. A media interview is a one-on-one conversation between a journalist
and person who has an interesting story to tell, which can be used as the basis for publication or
broadcast. The media interview may be reactive or proactive. A media interview is reactive when a
journalist is the one who approaches a person or an organization, especially when there is a large public
interest in the issue in which the person or organization is involved. On the other hand, a media interview
is proactive when a person or organization approaches a journalist regarding an issue, which they think
could be of great interest to the public and the media. Proactive media interviews require greater
preparation, but it is an important method for doing advocacy work.
Organizing a press conference. A press conference is a meeting organized for the purpose of sharing or
distributing information to the public and media and for answering questions from reporters. The aim of a
press conference is to gain publicity for the advocacy by using media coverage.
In order for these methods to be successful, certain techniques or skills must be employed.
These techniques or skills are the following: Conscientizing-to make the target audience more aware and
become more sensitive to a certain issue
Mobilizing to bring together advocacy stakeholders (beneficiaries, allies and partners) into a course of
action so that decision-makers or policymakers will be pressured to address an advocacy issue
Debating-to be able to engage in an argument and discuss opposing points to adversaries of the advocacy
cause
Lobbying to be able to influence the legislators or government officials to enact or modify legislations,
policies, and programs that would benefit the interests of the lobbying groups
Dialoguing to be able to discuss positions with decision-makers in order to resolve a disagreement
Negotiating to be able to come to terms with decision-makers in reaching an agreement
Petitioning - to be able to write a formal document requesting a right or benefit from a person in power or
a group in authority.
 Planning an Advocacy Campaign – Group 5
An advocacy campaign is a series of long-term strategic activities undertaken together by
alliances, in order to persuade a target decision-maker, policymaker, or a group in authority to change the
status quo and bring about positive changes in people's lives. Some examples of advocacy campaigns are:
campaign to secure just compensation from the perpetrators of climate change, campaign to stop violence
against women and children, and campaign against the existence of political dynasties.
Doing an advocacy campaign goes through a cycle of activities. These activities are the
following (AIPP 2013, Alliance 2003, Sharma 2010, WACC 2014):
1. Identifying a priority problem that needs to be addressed in the short, medium, and long term.

2. Gathering information to serve as a basis in analyzing issues surrounding the problem. Data and
research are essential in informed decisions when choosing a problem to work on, identifying
solutions to the problem, and setting realistic goals.

3. Developing achievable aims and objectives of advocacy work that can bring groups together in a
powerful coalition. Basically, this step answers the question, "What changes do you want to see?"
4. Identifying the level of advocacy if it is in the local, regional, national, or international arena. In the
Philippines, the local level could be in the school, village, barangay, or municipality.
The regional level could be Metro Manila or an entire province or an administrative region like the
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The national level could be the offices of the three
major branches of government: executive (Malacañang), legislative (Senate or Congress), or judiciary
(Supreme Court). The international level could be the UN or the ASEAN.
5. Identifying target people or groups that have the power to do something to make changes the advocacy
is aiming for. If the decision-maker cannot be directly accessed, people who influence decision-makers
(such as staff, advisors, influential elders, media, and the public) can be also targeted.
6. Developing advocacy messages that contain convincing arguments and delivering them in a
presentation style that captures and sustains the attention of target groups. The message must be clear,
compelling, accurate, and concise.
7. Identifying allies that can provide support or assist in achieving the advocacy aims and objectives.
Often, the power of advocacy is strengthened by the involvement of a large number of people
representing diverse interests, which can provide political support.
8. Identifying available resources (such as people, money, skills, and information) that can be used to
sustain the advocacy effort over a long period of time. This would also require organizing fund-raising
activities.
9. Creating an action plan by selecting appropriate methods of advocacy work with a time line that shows
persons or groups responsible for implementing the selected method and when it should be implemented
10. Monitoring and evaluating advocacy work during and after its implementation. Being an effective
advocate requires continuous monitoring and feedback.
ESSENTIAL LEARNING
Advocacy involves fighting for the rights of others (especially those experiencing DEMOS) and
having their concerns addressed by targeting people in positions of power. In order for an advocacy to be
legitimate, it must involve the beneficiaries of the advocacies, or at least consent on their behalf.
However, the latter is not required in cases when animals, plants, and the environment are being
advocated for matters of protection, conservation, and preservation.
There are three types of advocacies: systemic, individual, and self-advocacy. What is common
among these advocacies is their goal of changing the status quo by targeting decision-makers, leaders, or
policymakers who can affect positive change. Such targets make advocacy different from behavior
change communication/information, education, communication, community development, networking
and partnerships, and fund-raising and resource mobilization.
There are also many ways in which advocacy work can be done. These include writing and
delivering a presentation or organizing a press conference, among others. However, an advocate must
learn to apply certain skills so that he or she may succeed in implementing advocacy methods. Such skills
are conscientizing, mobilizing, debating, lobbying, engaging in dialogue, negotiating, and petitioning.
Lastly, advocacy work requires a carefully detailed out advocacy campaign, which follows a
scientific cyclical procedure: (1) identifying a priority problem, (2) gathering information, (3) developing
achievable aims and objectives, (4) identifying the level of advocacy, (5) identifying target people or

groups, (6) developing advocacy messages, (7) identifying allies, (8 identifying available resources, (9)
creating an action plan, and (10) monitoring and evaluating advocacy work.