Advocacy, protection of interests, control of power Ferenc Péterfi

The situation of independent activities before Organisations independent from the sate were under a cloud – even if they had no political ambitions -Their strengthening could change the system of political control: not the state controls its citizens but the civil society controls the state (the ones in power) -Movements: youth clubs, amateur theatre groups, beat movement, folk dance movement

After 1989 – 1990 Possibilities of independency: –Active, hands-on stakeholders are involved in political parties –Functions related to different fields of interest, hobbies, leisure, services become defining Asymmetry: Advocacy, protection of interests, control of power by society are not typical goals of organisations under establishment, and of the Hungarian NGO sector „External contractors”, taking over duties from local governments

Significance of participation While the system of representation becomes one- sided, the individual and/or community participation frequently withers Therefore people tend to hand over competencies related to activity and participation to others, they do not feel it is their responsibility to take the initiative If local community participation withers for a longer term (expressing opinions, taking action, acitve cooperation), its need and know-how erodes in the local communities

Getting from a powerless, helpless state to an influential state Powerless → empowerment

Empowerment and empowering the local community To emphasise that: - I am/ we are the key, - it depends on us, - I/we have to believe that together in a community we are able to take action, - to initiate changes (confidence)

Empowerment: -eliminating the feeling of helplessness – I can influence my environment -the possibility and need to share experiences -the feeling of being understood and accepted and that it can bring change -expressing and emphasising that we are competent in community (local?) issues Creating competent citizens as a social- community goal.

„Learned helplessness” Developing learned helplessness in individuals: -the person believes that (s)hes is devenceless -unable to take action and -(s)he should not confront with the ones in power

„Learned helplessness” people’s percpetion of loosing control we feel unable to take action, we act with a passive, avertive behaviour

Politics-free = independent? In the political processes of the sociaty there are many stakeholders: parties, tradeunions, NGOs. They confront with each other in a virtual field: articulation of interests, goals-methods, developing channels of activity, setting priorities, decision making, distribution of resources Negotiations, deliberations, confrontations, arguments go on, resulting in coalitions, consesus. Lobbying affect decisions made in this field.

Politics-free=independent? If civil society leaves this field it is immediately replaced by influental political parties. Stakeholders pretending to be independent easily give the floor to party politics, which represent certain interest groups. Namely the chance for independence and for social control are taken out from the political field.

Possible advocacy functions (according to Éva Kuti) I.Enforcement II.Initiative open advocacy III. Defensive advocacy IV. „Infiltration” into the process of decisions making

Main barriers of the successful protection of interests and control of power Depending on resources: organisations taking over duties frequently depend on those whose social responsibilities they take over (local government, state) Do not wish to confront them as it jeopardises their services (resources/funding?) Their chance to question the structural reasons behind the problems is curtailed

Conditions of successful protection of interests and control of power Awareness, preparedness of civil society Strong community consciousness Possibilty to employ experts Time for consultations, negotiations Know-how of negotiation, tolerance of confilcts Trainings, independent resources, supporting institutions

The successful protection of interests and control of power requires partial division of power and handing over the power!

Thank you for your attention. Ferenc Péterfi