Campaigning

Definition:

To exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively

to gain an end.

Campaigning basics

Campaigning requires 3 basic elements

An identified problem An identified solution The political will to change matters

A campaigning quiz

Q. Why do we campaign?

Q. Name some campaigns? (Think historically and recently, think globally and locally)

Q. What makes a campaign successful? (Name the ingredients)

1. We campaign for social justice

Like slavery and apartheid,poverty is not natural.

It is man-made and it can be overcome and

eradicated by the actions of human beings”

Nelson Mandela Feb 3, 2005

We campaign to effect change.

People in power don’t always see the

but they do feel the

Name some campaigns:

Historical Civil Rights / Anti-Apartheid/ Suffragettes/

Labour Rights

More Recent Drop The Debt/ Make Poverty History/

No Sweat / Women’s Reproductive Rights

Successful campaigns usually have

- Moral outrage. An identified wrong that needs fixing

- Clear demands. - A strong and clear message - Good spokespeople (eg. Nelson Mandela,

Martin Luther King, etc)- An identifiable target (a villian). - Public support

Campaigning

Involves speaking up, drawing the community’s attention to an issue and directing decision-makers to a solution

Involves a series of actions, events,

stunts, reports, all aimed at achieving change.

The ABC s of Campaigning

Know the issue Be SMART The 7 ‘C’s Think SWOT And always KISS

Know The Issue

How can you advocated for change if you don’t know what you are talking about?

A good campaigner will take the time to learn about an issue. Note – you don’t have to be an expert, but you do need to know the important core messages.

A good campaign is well-researched.

Tough Issues to Understand

Many of the issues Oxfam deals with are complicated eg. trade rules, patent rights, structural adjustment, etc.

That is why we rely on good background information, solid research and articulated solutions.

The Human Story

Many people have a hard time understanding Third World Debt but most understand that all children should have access to a basic

education.

Yet they are related.

DEBT and SCHOOLS

Millions of children are deniedtheir right to an education

Because poor countries are spending more on debt repayments than they are on education

for childrenIN BRIEF

Emphasize the human story.

Debt – Has Africa paid?

SMART Campaigning

A good campaign is a SMART campaign. Your objectives should be

Specific Manageable Achievable

Results oriented Time bound

The SMART Quiz

S – Specific -What is your specific ask? What do you want people to do?

M– Manageable – Do you have the necessary resources to make this campaign succeed.

A – Achievable – Is your goal or demand achievable? How realistic is your goal?

R - Results oriented – What results are you aiming for? How will you measure success?

T – Time bound – When do you expect your campaign to end? Is there a pre-determined end date that you can aim for? (eg. WTO or World Band meetings).

The 7 Cs of campaigning

Campaigning requires you are

Clear about your goal,

Concise and Consistent with your messaging

as well as Compelling

Creative Comprehensive and Credible.

SWOT analysis

Before you venture into a campaign one should do an organizational and environmental scan.

Strengths and Weaknesses help you

measure internal factors. Opportunities and Threats help you

determine external factors.

KISS

When deciding on your actions and messages remember to Keep It Simple and Sensible.

What Makes A Campaign Effective?

Identify what needs to change. What are you aiming to achieve? You can list short-term to long-term goals.

Good research – proof of argument. Know your issue. Articulated policy objectives – What specifically needs to

change. Articulated action – Given the desired goal what is you want

people to do? Sign a petition, contact their MP, write a letter, etc. Be clear.

Target or villain. Who needs to change or who is it that can effect the change.

Action plan – What is your strategy? How are you going to win this change? Popular mobilization/ media strategy/ stunts/ speakers tours/ etc

We need to you

A good campaign needs good campaigners who are articulate, creative, and tenacious.

We need activists who are ready to advocate

for change by speaking at meetings, to friends, to the media;

Change requires we take action. A good campaign helps us achieve our goals.