1. Advocacy Activities under the 7up4 project
Pradeep S Mehta
Secretary General, CUTS International

2. Defining Advocacy
Activities to create awareness through non-enforcement mechanisms
Include networking structures, information exchange platforms, media outreach and meetings
Persuasion strategy, hence largely voluntary
Under 7up4, advocacy to be at national levels
Will include all national stakeholders in project countries

3. National reference group (NRG)
A NRG in each project country
Purpose to decide on plan for national advocacy
Composed of key stakeholders in regulation
(CSOs, media, academia, govt, regulatory agencies, business etc)
Discussion to be based on research findings
Research findings to be key in mapping advocacy

4. NRG Meetings Three NRG meetings in each country
Meetings to be in line with research reports
First meeting discussion in line with PCP final report
Second meeting after draft CRR preparation
Third (final) meeting after final CRR and regional and national workshops

5. Special emphasis on advocacy
Emphasis on involving consumer advocacy groups and media
Consumer concerns to be highlighted in all disseminated materials
Consumer groups to be linked to INCSOC, established 2002
When consumer movement not active, credible NGOs with consumer issue on agenda to be used

6. Media outreach and advocacy
Specific issue-based advocacy documents to be prepared
Wide distribution of publication for further NRGs discussion.
One e-newsletter to be developed quarterly and circulated
A project webpage with updates related to project.
An outreach strategy for target audience after CRR

7. Linkages with the Government (to be developed)
NRG reports to have recommendation to govt
Gvt also represented in NRG
Findings to be presented for discussion at govt level
Advocacy route not confrontational

8. THANK YOU