“ICT Policy for Civil society” Tactics and Lobbying “ICT Policy for Civil society”

5 sessions on advocacy 1. What is advocacy – definitions and types 2. Advocacy campaigns – steps to mount a campaign 3. How laws and policies are made 4. Tactics and lobbying 5. Presentation of cases

Outcomes for this session In this session you will: Consider the use of different tactics for different situations Develop skills in the tactic of lobbying Prepare an advocacy campaign plan presentation

Tactics – Which One(s) When? Answer the following questions:   Which tactics have you used before? Which tactics were successful when and why? Which tactics were not so successful, when and why? What lessons in choosing tactics have you learnt?

Lobbying – the Basics ‘Lobbying’ means trying to influence the policy process. Can happen at all stages: to raise a policy issue or the need for a new law with a Minister or NGO to persuade members of Parliament to vote a particular way on a bill to persuade the President, or national leader, not to sign a bill into force.

What Is Social Justice Lobbying? lobbying without great resources guided by values and grassroots support a successful lobbying campaign remains true to its principles

Personal and Institutional Benefits of Advocacy and Lobbying: Positive  builds confidence in individuals and social groupings demystifies the public processes teaches the use of methods of communication   Negative  could entrench patronage networks (create dependency on donors for example) basis for attainment of personal financial and political gain (corruption)

Prepare Your Presentation Prepare for each lobbying session carefully. What may persuade one decision maker may not interest another. Lobbying is often targeted at legislators. Lobbying legislators is about persuading them to do what you want. There are five main categories of legislators to think about, each requires a different approach or strategy.

Categories of legislators Champions Allies Fence sitters Mellow opponents Hard core opponents

Champions: all issues need a group of lawmakers dedicated to being committed advocates for your cause. What they can do for you is make the case to their colleagues, help develop a strong inside strategy and be visible public spokespeople. What will assist them is good information and evidence of strong support from the public.  Allies: Another group of legislators will be on your side but can be pushed to do more – to speak up in party caucuses or on the floor.  Fence Sitters: Some legislators will be uncommitted on the issues, potentially able to vote either way. These are your key targets and lobbying strategy is about putting together the right mix of inside persuasion and outside pressure to sway them your way.  Mellow opponents: Another group of legislators will be clear votes against you, but are not inclined to be active on the issue. With this group what’s key is to keep them from becoming more active, lobbying them enough to give them pause but not to make them angry.  Hard Core opponents: Finally, there are those lawmakers who are leading your opposition. What is important here is to isolate them, to highlight the extremes of their positions, rhetoric and alliances and to give other lawmakers pause about joining with them.

Steps in Lobbying Preparation: In your campaign group, go through the following steps and up date your campaign plan. Practice and discuss as you go. Look back over the information and research that you have produced on the campaign so far. Remember that in the next advocacy session you will be presenting the campaign for evaluation to the whole group.

What is your message? Can you state it clearly and succinctly?  What do you want from the decision maker that you are lobbying? to take a lead on the issue? to co-author a bill for presentation to Parliament? to influence other decision makers? Do you want information? 

What are the main points of your presentation? What kinds of information will you use? Statistics / testimonial from someone affected by the issue? Tailor this to your audience based on what you think will persuade that person. What issues should not be discussed? If they are raised, how will you steer the discussion back to your issue? What is negotiable? What is non-negotiable? Recall these so you can be prepared to compromise if needed. What do you have to offer the decision maker? Information / public support?

How will you open the meeting? If meeting with someone who has been supportive in the past, be sure to acknowledge your appreciation. Who will play what role during the meeting?  Who will open the conversation? Will someone facilitate? Who will close the ‘deal’ or the discussion? Will you have a note taker?  How will members of the delegation be introduced?  ‘My name is and I represent……..’ My name is and I am directly affected by the issue….’

Remember listen well you don’t have to be an expert – it’s good to be prepared but don’t be uncomfortable with saying that you don’t know something build a relationship with the decision maker make sure that you do any agreed follow up consider writing a thank you letter that acknowledges what was agreed

Other Tactics Here are two more tactics that can strengthen advocacy and lobbying – Testimonials; and The building of coalitions. In the campaign groups, consider these and any other tactics that you could in your campaign.

Testimonial As Tactic Having someone who is personally affected by an issue, and making him or her part of a lobbying delegation is a tactic that you may use. Remember to be sensitive about this – the person most affected will know the most about the issue and possible solutions but may feel as if they are being paraded as an example and be uncomfortable about this. Another personality may be enthusiastic about joining in the lobbying while another may prefer to brief the lobbying team but be represented in a case study such as the one being circulated.

Alliance Building / Coalitions As Tactic A coalition is an organisation that joins together organisations that have a common social change goal to pursue common policies while each organisation maintains its autonomy. Some of the benefits are: strength in numbers strength in diversity / values broadened skills and expertise

Making Coalitions Work: avoid formal structure unless necessary understand each others constraints delegate responsibility make decisions as a group keep everyone informed   It should be big enough to matter It should be small enough to produce results It should empower grass roots and build skills (media, leadership, organising, campaigns) Engage the general public MUST HAVE FUN

Campaign Group Plans Take some time in your campaign group to meet and finalise your campaign plan for presentation. Revise the advocacy steps presented in the course and be prepared to face adverse criticism and interrogation of your campaign.   The facilitator of this course will inform you about the time allocation that you have for your presentation and this will be strictly adhered to.