SIT Symposium 2010 Politics of International Education and Civil Society The Politics of World Learning’s [International Development and Exchange] Programs Educating Policy Advocates at SIT [Graduate Institute and Beyond]

SIT Symposium 2010 Educating Policy Advocates at SIT Graduate Institute and Beyond Charlie Curry-Smithson Jeff Unsicker

SIT Symposium 2010 … and Beyond World Learning IDEP Exchange programs Development programs – e.g., Angola Study Abroad (and IHP?) e.g., Bolivia, South Africa … Post-program Partners

SIT Symposium 2010 Politics Distribution and Use of Power and Wealth Powerful Institutions (State/Government, Corporations, etc) “People and Planet”

SIT Symposium 2010 Civil Society Social Movements, Solidarity Organizations, NGOs, Public Interest Organizations, Community Associations, Trade Unions … Human Rights Social, Economic, Cultural and Environmental Justice

SIT Symposium 2010 Policy Advocacy One CSO method of Social Change Through Intervening in Politics Influencing Powerful Institutions’ Policies, Policy Implementation and Policy Making (Governance) Political Space, Participation, Transparency, Accountability

context policypolitics strategy CSO targets

politics strategy policy allies targets opponents problems causes policy objectives solutions public messages const dev coalition bldg media constituency public events & actions lobbying media outreach litigation advocates

11 Steps for Developing a Policy Advocacy Campaign I. SETTING THE GOALS 1. Choose and define a policy-related problem/issue to be addressed. 2. Clarify the long-term advocacy goal(s) and short-term objective(s). II. ANALYZING THE REALITY 3. Research the political context, the history of the policy, and the structure and process of the government institutions to be targeted. 4. Identify the stakeholders in the larger society; categorize them as favorable, opposed, or undecided regarding the issue; and assess their degree of power relative to the target institutions. 5. Strategically and clearly specify the policy position to be advocated.

11 Steps III. DESIGNING THE STRATEGY 6. Build alliances; either join an existing coalition or form a new one. 7. Conduct a public education campaign: Research the public opinion gap and develop strategic information. Segment the audience, formulate the messages, access media. 8. Identify and lobby the key decision makers in the targeted institutions. 9. Mobilize active constituent and public support of the lobbying effort. IV. RESOURCING AND EVALUATING THE CAMPAIGN 10. Determine the human, informational, financial, and technical resources required, and how to acquire or develop them. 11. Monitor and evaluate the campaign: outcomes, process, and design.

SIT Symposium 2010 SIT Graduate Institute … International Policy Advocacy (4 weeks for NGO leaders, DC -> NYC -> VT) In-Country Workshops and Training

SIT Symposium 2010 SIT Graduate Institute … PIM students in different MA degree tracks: International Policy and Citizen Advocacy (1 credit, 1 week, Washington DC) Policy Advocacy (3 credits, semester, VT)

SIT Symposium 2010 SIT Graduate Institute … Policy Advocacy variations “sister sections” in Lima (Escuela para el Desarollo) and Washington, DC 2 credit version in NGO Leadership & Management in Dhaka (BRAC)

SIT Symposium 2010 SIT Graduate Institute … Topics in Policy Analysis and Advocacy (3 credits, semester, VT) Reflective Practice Phase Professional Practicums Capstone Papers Degree Concentration in Policy Analysis and Advocacy

SIT Symposium 2010 SIT Graduate Institute … Practicums Women for Human Rights (Kathmandu) Oxfam America (Boston) HakiElimu (Dar es Salaam) Transparency International Cameroon Center for Constitutional Rights (NYC) Post-Oil Solutions (Brattleboro)

SIT Symposium 2010 SIT Graduate Institute … Capstone Papers (1) Case Studies WL advocacy capacity building project in Angola ¡Ya Basta! immigrant rights campaign Nicaraguan campaigns against ban on therapeutic abortions and against US agribusiness TI Cameroon’s anti-corruption strategy

SIT Symposium 2010 SIT Graduate Institute … Capstone Papers (2) Contributions Education and Outreach Plan for CCR’s campaign to ban military contractors Policy papers Tanzanian Budget Analysis Food Security in Vermont

SIT Symposium 2010 SIT Graduate Institute … Under construction: “Civil Society, Policy Advocacy and Governance” (3 credits, semester, new DC-based MA degree)

SIT Symposium 2010 SIT Graduate Institute … and Beyond Under construction: Global Network for Educating Policy Advocates Partner Universities and Capacity Building Organizations Resources Exchange, Courses, Practicums and Certificates offered with Courses co-taught by faculty from SIT and Partners Students from both SIT/US and Partners “Sister sections” Pilot: BRAC University’s MA in Development Studies