Advocacy

Once you’ve found your voice, you need to raise it and become an advocate on behalf of those issues that you are really passionate about. With this guide, you can start to become an effective advocate for the global issue of your choosing.

It is important to note that advocacy can have quick results, but more often it is a long-term strategy for change.

What is advocacy?

To advocate means to speak, plead or argue in favor of something or on behalf of someone. When you decide to become an advocate, you are attaching your name and reputation to the belief that something specific must change.

Advocacy is an important tool for getting people in positions of power – political and business leaders, media figures, and influential people in your community – to act on an issue.

What does it mean to be an advocate?

We advocate by asking these people to do something specific—change or enact a law, stop or start a certain business practice, or use their popularity to talk to lots of people about an issue. That is why it is important to know specifically what you are asking for – what action do you want see done? The most effective campaigns have a specific goal or request. There are a few ways you can start an advocacy campaign.

Tools of advocacy

Start a letter writing campaign. Inspire lots of individuals to write letters to people of influence regarding a particular issue.

Circulate a petition about an issue you care about – online or in hardcopy.

Email or write letters to your elected officials letting them know how you feel about your issue.

Request meetings with public officials to discuss your issue.

Tell your local media about your advocacy campaign and your issue.

Hold a rally.

Write an opinion piece for a newspaper.