Education Policy Advocacy Objectives: 1.To learn why advocacy is one of the roles of CSOs. 2.To learn the process for developing an effective strategic.

Education Policy Advocacy

Objectives:

1. To learn why advocacy is one of the roles of CSOs.

2. To learn the process for developing an effective strategic advocacy campaign

3. To learn practical tools to develop an advocacy campaign

What is advocacy

• Advocacy is the process of managing information and knowledge strategically to change policies/practices or attitudes/behavior/beliefs that affect the lives of (the disadvantaged) people.

• What advocacy is not– Public relations– Fundraising

Types of changes expected from advocacy

1. Changes in policy/decision-making

2. Changes in policy implementation (practices)

3. Changes in people’s ideas/awareness of policies and practices

Elements of successful advocacy campaign

• See video

Expertise needed for advocacy

1. Technical expertise in advocacy and campaigning

2. Thematic expertise of the issue being addressed

3. Political expertise on the relations of power that affect the issue (the key target)

The campaign cycle

Issue

Problem

External Context

Internal Resources

Strategy

Action

Evaluation

Mission/mandate

Selecting issues and approaches• Based on organizational mission

• Networks require consultation

Phase Stage of the issue Approaches

1 New demand/issue Awareness raising

2 Rising awareness among decision makers

Policy proposals

3 Issue forward Negotiate support

4 Workable plans, implementation begins

Demand resources

5 Solutions implemented Monitor the impact

Exercise Process

• Process: 1. Work individually

2. Share at each process

3. Strategic advocacy plan of your

organization• Select an issue based on your own organizational

mandate and mission– Issue should be about policy on adult learning

e.g. adult literacy policy

ー International, Regional, National, District Level

Problem Analysis

• Inadequate problem analysis leads to– Focusing on effects of problems– Addressing too broad and complex issue– Making unrealistic, irrelevant, wrong demands

• Adequate problem analysis help us to– Define objectives and priorities– Answer critics from the opposed

• CSOs can use community level data for policy analysis

Problem and Solution Tree

1. List all the possible problems affecting an issue

2. Map them onto a problem tree

3. Identify

• Effects – as branches – Goal

• Core problem – as trunk – Aim

• Causes – as roots – Objective

External context and internal resources

• SWOT analysis– Internal strengths and weakness– External opportunities and threats

• Maximize strengths and use opportunities

• Reduce weakness and avoid threats

• Realistic strategy to impact on issue

Strategy

• Strategies include– Aims– Objectives and indicators– Targets: individuals not institutions– Audiences: influential with the target– Approaches: based on resources and stage of

issues, access to audiences– Action plans– Resources & budgets(Background information: political context,

previous related work, consultation process)

Aim and objectives• Aim: general declaration of intent for advocacy

e.g. Japanese aid policy for basic education is improved both quantitatively and qualitatively.

• Objectives: must be SMART S: Specific

M:Measurable A: Achievable R: Relevant T: Time specific e.g. Japan doubles its aid volume to basic

education by 2010 compared to 2005.

Stakeholder analysis

• A stakeholder is anyone who is affected or who has some influence over issue you are working on.

• Analysis to identify who we should influence (target)– Not only who we will mobilize

Stakeholder analysis 1. Audience Prioritization Matrix

1. Brainstorm all the people (not institutions) who have interest or a potential influence over the issue.

• Be specific• Be creative

2. Ask two questions for each stakeholder• How importantly does the stakeholder view

the issue?• How influential is the stakeholder over the

decision?

Stakeholder analysis Target Influence map

• Identify target (decision maker) responsible for change – Informal and real decision maker– Make decision vs approve decision

• Who and how audience influence target

Approaches

1. Rational: influencing through the weight of rational argument, e.g. child labor

2. Collaboration: influencing by collaborating with the target, e.g. seminar

3. Legal: requiring independent legal system e.g. suit for bad companies4. Political: mobilizing outside pressure e.g. labor union, faith groups,

Use politics, not use anyone politically

Action Method 1. Lobbying

Actions Method 2. Media Work

Action Method3. Popular Mobilization

Actions Method4. Awareness Raising

To maximize impacts of actions

• Requires logistical skills

• Opportune moment and locatione.g.– G8 summit – Literacy day (Sep. 8)– EFA high level group meeting

Evaluation of advocacy work

• Impact – Was the policy changed? – Do not confuse success in activity with an

policy change– But difficult due to the question of attribution

• Efficiency– Cost effectiveness– Any alternative measures?