Advocacy Creating Systemic Change Presented by: Andrew Wytsma Chelsea Keenan Patrick Miller

What is advocacy Wikipedia defines advocacy as: “Advocacy is the pursuit of influencing outcomes — including public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions — that directly affect people’s current lives.” Advocacy is the art of systemic change

Advocacy = systemic change? AdvocacyInputs System processes outputs advocated outputs Consider a simple system: Advocacy work can be seen as providing new inputs to influence a system’s behaviour or purpose ** it is important to note that most advocacy work deals with COMPLEX systems

Some Famous Advocates Martin Luther King Jr. Gandhi Ralph Nader Famous 5

Why do we advocate? Create a contingent of informed policy makers and citizens. Leads to ‘critical mass’ Canada can become a global leader on pro-development policy Impact! ◦ CIDA has a budget of 1.6 BILLION for Africa

Advocacy Goal To strengthen the UCalgary chapter into an effective political advocacy body in order to: ◦ Drive change for Dorothy through informed policy by utilizing EWB’s organizational knowledge and grassroots network ◦ Connect Canadians to Canada’s foreign policy and ultimately to Africa We hope to accomplish this by fostering a pro advocacy pro Dorothy culture

EWB and Advocacy Strenghts Funding freedom! Extensive grass roots network composed of members who...: ◦ Come from many constituencies and diverse backgrounds ◦ Are passionate about change and committed to Dorothy ◦ Possess knowledge rooted in both the Overseas AND Canadian contexts

EWB Advocacy Wins Bill C-293  Official Development Assistance Accountability Act Commitment to untying aid by 2012

Federal Gov’t Overview

Members of Parliament in Calgary Do you know who your MP is? Do you know which riding you live in? Nose Hill Northeast Centre North Centre West East SoutheastSouthwest

Calgary MP’s Rob Anders Calgary West (Hon.) Diane Ablonczy Calgary Nose Hill (Right Hon.) Stephen Harper Calgary Southwest (Hon.) Jason Kenney Calgary Southeast

Calgary MP’s Lee Richardson Calgary Centre (Hon.) Jim Prentice Calgary Centre-North Deepak Obhral Calgary East Davinder Shory Calgary Northeast

Actions to Advocacy Talk to your friends about development issues ◦ Fair trade Buy a fair trade coffee (or ask Timmy’s why they don’t have it) Learn about Development issues! ◦ Go to member learning Join “Advocacy Research Action” Talk to/mail/phone your MP ◦ Mailing is free! No stamps required

Communicating with your MP Some tips: Introduce yourself and be polite Ask questions for them to explore ◦ Don’t try to insult your mp or their understanding ◦ i.e: What are the changes you have seen with the passing of the ODAAA ◦ We purpose: We know little has happened with the ODAAA, do our MPs know? Never take any response “personally”