AdvocacyAdvocacyCreating Systemic Change

Presented by:Duncan Farthing-NicholAdam Fraser-Kruck

What is AdvocacyWhat is AdvocacyWikipedia defines advocacy as:

“the pursuit of influencing outcomes — including public policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions — that directly affect people’s current lives.”

Advocacy is the art of systemic change

Advocacy = Systemic Advocacy = Systemic ChangeChange

Consider a simple system: Advocacy work can be seen as providing new inputs to influence a system’s behaviour or purpose.

Some Famous AdvocatesSome Famous Advocates

Martin Luther King Jr.

GandhiRalph NaderFamous Five

Why do we advocate?Why do we advocate?To create a critical mass of

informed policy makers and citizens who are motivated to make change

To make Canada a global leader on pro-development policy

To have HUGE Impact!◦CIDA has a budget of $1 600 000 000

for aid to Africa◦We can have disproportionate impact

by making sure that money is spent properly

Advocacy GoalAdvocacy GoalTo transform the U of M chapter

and its members into effective political advocates, in order to:◦Drive change for Dorothy through

informed policy by utilizing EWB’s organizational knowledge and grassroots network

◦Connect Canadians to Canada’s foreign policy and ultimately to Africa

EWB and Advocacy EWB and Advocacy StrenghtsStrenghtsFunding freedomAn extensive grass roots network,

composed of members who:◦Come from many constituencies and

diverse backgrounds◦Are passionate about change and

committed to Dorothy◦Possess knowledge rooted in both the

Overseas AND Canadian contexts

EWB Advocacy WinsEWB Advocacy Wins

Bill C-293 Official Development Assistance Accountability Act

Commitment to untying all Canadian aid by 2012

Federal Gov’t OverviewFederal Gov’t Overview

Members of Parliament in Members of Parliament in WinnipegWinnipeg

Do you know who your MP is?

Do you know which riding you live in?

Winnipeg Members of Winnipeg Members of ParliamentParliament

Joy SmithKildonan-St. Paul

Pat MartinWinnipeg

Center

Steven FletcherCharleswood-

St. James

Jim MalowayElmwood-Transcona

Winnipeg Members of Winnipeg Members of ParliamentParliament

Judy Wasylycia-Leis

Winnipeg North

Anita NevilleWinnipeg

South-Center

Shelley GloverSt. Boniface

Vic ToewsProvencher

Rod BruinoogeWinnipeg South

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC

Actions to AdvocacyActions to AdvocacyTalk to your friends, family,

strangers about development issuesBuy a Fair Trade coffee (or ask

Timmy’s why they don’t have it!)Learn about development issues!

◦Member Learning is a great startJoin the Public Outreach/Advocacy

Team!Talk to/mail/phone your MP

◦Mailing is free! No stamps required

Communicating with your Communicating with your MPMPMPs are people too; they will listen

to reasoned arguments, and may even act on them

Know what you are talking about, and more importantly, know what you want from them

Send in an executive summary of the issue and the actions you want them to take before a meeting

Communicating with your Communicating with your MPMPPrinciple Negotiation

◦Make arguments, not accusations◦Stick to the facts, and make your

facts plentiful◦Anticipate their objections, and mold

them to your cause◦Be prepared to meet in the middle