Education Policy Advocacy Objectives: 1.To learn why advocacy is one of the roles of CSOs. 2.To learn the process for developing an effective strategic advocacy campaign 3.To learn practical tools to develop an advocacy campaign

What is advocacy Advocacy is the process of managing information and knowledge strategically to change policies/practices or attitudes/behavior/beliefs that affect the lives of (the disadvantaged) people. What advocacy is not –Public relations –Fundraising

Types of changes expected from advocacy 1.Changes in policy/decision-making 2.Changes in policy implementation (practices) 3.Changes in peoples ideas/awareness of policies and practices

Elements of successful advocacy campaign See video

Expertise needed for advocacy 1.Technical expertise in advocacy and campaigning 2.Thematic expertise of the issue being addressed 3.Political expertise on the relations of power that affect the issue (the key target)

The campaign cycle Issue Problem External Context Internal Resources Strategy Action Evaluation Mission/mandate

Selecting issues and approaches Based on organizational mission Networks require consultation Phase Stage of the issueApproaches 1New demand/issueAwareness raising 2Rising awareness among decision makers Policy proposals 3Issue forwardNegotiate support 4Workable plans, implementation begins Demand resources 5Solutions implementedMonitor the impact

Exercise Process Process: 1. Work individually 2. Share at each process 3. Strategic advocacy plan of your organization Select an issue based on your own organizational mandate and mission –Issue should be about policy on adult learning e.g. adult literacy policy International, Regional, National, District Level

Problem Analysis Inadequate problem analysis leads to –Focusing on effects of problems –Addressing too broad and complex issue –Making unrealistic, irrelevant, wrong demands Adequate problem analysis help us to –Define objectives and priorities –Answer critics from the opposed CSOs can use community level data for policy analysis

Problem and Solution Tree 1.List all the possible problems affecting an issue 2.Map them onto a problem tree 3.Identify Effects – as branches – Goal Core problem – as trunk – Aim Causes – as roots – Objective

External context and internal resources SWOT analysis –Internal strengths and weakness –External opportunities and threats Maximize strengths and use opportunities Reduce weakness and avoid threats Realistic strategy to impact on issue

Strategy Strategies include –Aims –Objectives and indicators –Targets: individuals not institutions –Audiences: influential with the target –Approaches: based on resources and stage of issues, access to audiences –Action plans –Resources & budgets (Background information: political context, previous related work, consultation process)

Aim and objectives Aim: general declaration of intent for advocacy e.g. Japanese aid policy for basic education is improved both quantitatively and qualitatively. Objectives: must be SMART S: Specific M:Measurable A: Achievable R: Relevant T: Time specific e.g. Japan doubles its aid volume to basic education by 2010 compared to 2005.

Stakeholder analysis A stakeholder is anyone who is affected or who has some influence over issue you are working on. Analysis to identify who we should influence (target) –Not only who we will mobilize

Stakeholder analysis 1. Audience Prioritization Matrix 1.Brainstorm all the people (not institutions) who have interest or a potential influence over the issue. Be specific Be creative 2.Ask two questions for each stakeholder How importantly does the stakeholder view the issue? How influential is the stakeholder over the decision?

Stakeholder analysis Target Influence map Identify target (decision maker) responsible for change –Informal and real decision maker –Make decision vs approve decision Who and how audience influence target

Approaches 1.Rational: influencing through the weight of rational argument, e.g. child labor 2.Collaboration: influencing by collaborating with the target, e.g. seminar 3.Legal: requiring independent legal system e.g. suit for bad companies 4.Political: mobilizing outside pressure e.g. labor union, faith groups, Use politics, not use anyone politically

Action Method 1. Lobbying

Actions Method 2. Media Work

Action Method 3. Popular Mobilization

Actions Method 4. Awareness Raising

To maximize impacts of actions Requires logistical skills Opportune moment and location e.g. –G8 summit –Literacy day (Sep. 8) –EFA high level group meeting

Evaluation of advocacy work Impact –Was the policy changed? –Do not confuse success in activity with an policy change –But difficult due to the question of attribution Efficiency –Cost effectiveness –Any alternative measures?