WITH ASHRAF CHAUDHRY

ASHRAF@ASHRAFCHAUDHRY.COMCELL: 0321 9274 723

Policy Advocacy:concept.process.tools

What is Policy?

Policy is a:

plancourse of actionset of regulations

adopted by government, businesses or institutions to influence and determine decisions and procedures.

What is Advocacy?

It is a deliberate process to:

InfluencePersuadeConvince

policy makers.

Deliberate?

IntentionalWell thought-outClear objectivesDesirable changes

Influencing

Is it shouting at government?Is it confrontational?Is it processions on roads?Is it strikes?Is it hunger strikes?Is it dharna?Is it long march?

Policy-makers

GovernmentPrivate institutionsInfluential individualsPolitical partiesSociety’s deep rooted traditions

Advocacy is used to influence the choices and actions of those who make laws and regulations, and those who distribute resources and make other decisions that affect the well-being of many people.

What can Policy Advocacy do?

LegislationProclamation (public statement)Regulation Legal decisionCommittee actionInstitutional practice

Examples of Advocacy

Use of iodized saltPopulation controlRegistration of nikah namaGetting approval of first wife to contract

second marriageReserved seats for women Quota systems

Brainstorming

In pairs, please brainstorm at least two examples in each of the following categories:

LegislationProclamation (public statement)Regulation Legal decisionCommittee actionInstitutional practice

Policy Advocacy Process

Analysis

In-depth understanding of:ProblemPeople involvedPoliciesStage of implementationOrganizationsChannels of access to influential people and

decision-makers.

Strategy

Detailed course of action

The strategy phase builds upon the analysis phase to:

DirectPlanFocus on specific goalsPosition the advocacy effort with clear paths

andAchieve those goals and objectives.

Mobilization

Coalition-buildingEvents, activities, messagesCreating positive impactMaximum participation by all coalition

membersMinimizing responses from the opposition.

Action

Keeping all partners togetherPersisting in carrying out advocacyRepeating the messageUsing the credible materials Keeping the attention

Evaluation

What were the targets?What time frame did you allocate to achieve?What is the actual result?What is the variance?What went wrong?Why went wrong?What lessons were learnt?What to do next?What to avoid next?

Continuity

Ongoing process Articulating long-term goalsKeeping functional coalitions togetherMaintaining data and arguments in tune with

changing situations.

Advocacy Tools

Expert informantHonest brokerCapacity builderLobbyist & playerUse of media

Group Discussion

1. Based on the presentation, indicate what specific policy advocacy efforts made by your institution in 2009-2010?

2. What are 2 major policy issues that you feel you should focus upon as policy advocacy initiatives?

3. Develop a simple roadmap for your policy advocacy initiative.