1. M4 – S1 FUNCTION 4 – ‘ ADVOCACY ’:

2. 2 What is advocacy? Why is it important? How to do it? Advocacy…

3. Speaking up for your rights or the rights of others A process of securing change A persuasive argument for a specific outcome A strategic communication designed to increase political will. What is advocacy?

4. Advocacy must be: done in the best interests of the affected population strategic evidence-based rights-based focused on the interests of the sector, not our organizations context specific Principles of Advocacy…

5. Greater impact Better use of resources Garners support for policy Increases sustainability Creates an enabling environment Gets actors to engage with the sector and creates buy-in for coordination Gets the attention of decision makers WHY is advocacy important?

6. Three levels to an advocacy strategy: 1.Strategic Target 2.Strategic Message 3.Strategic Communications HOW do we advocate?

7. The message must be clear and concise. Example 1: All duty bearers have the responsibility to ensure continuous protection of children in all forms of activities, care, support, and promotion of children’s rights. Example 2: The national Government must ensure that no person under 18 has direct involvement in armed hostilities. Example 3: All assessments must involve boys and girls Strategic Message

8. Who has the direct or indirect power to make the change you seek? Ministers Donors People’s representatives Political and religious leaders Other clusters/ sectors Heads of government departments Other humanitarian organisations Media Military Strategic Targets…

9. There must be a communications strategy behind the message! How to deliver the message When to deliver it Who to target - many groups or one? What to do next Strategic Communications

10. HOW do we effectively advocate?

11. Have clear, reasonable requests & usable materials Be clear and consistent on the importance of Child Protection Be clear about your target’s responsibility to protect Be personable and approachable Be ready for give and take Ensuring EFFECTIVENESS

12. Activity… You are back in the Islands of Abari and have three minutes with either: President A local leader Donor (ECHO) The Humanitarian Coordinator CNN interviewer Decide: What is your objective? What is the one thing you really want from them? What’s in it for them?