Case Studies Report 3rd Knowledge Exchange Forum Dublin, December 18th 2012 #sjacases
What Works in Social Justice Advocacy? On December 18th over 70 social justice advocates met in the F2 Centre in Dublin to share learning and discuss what works in social justice advocacy. Delegates participated in three out of five case studies on offer in market stalls throughout the morning. The event was kicked off with a presentation by Anna Visser on behalf of Candy Murphy of the ‘Mapping Study of Social Justice Advocacy in Ireland: An Examination of the Breadth and Depth of Social Justice Advocacy within the Non-Profit Sector in Ireland’ available to read in full at: http://bit.ly/VJX8U0.
Social justice advocacy is a dynamic and diverse practice that impacts on all areas of decision making on local, national and international levels. Advocacy can be planned or reactive, seek to drive policy change or protect existing practices. Advocates employ insider and outsider strategies to mobilise members and the general public. What works is often difficult to measure and depends on strategy, opportunity and resources. So how do we know what works? What strategies can be used in moments of opportunity to create a successful advocacy campaign? What has worked for other organisations and why? From the five market stalls, facilitators were asked to get one key point from each session which resulted in three key lessons at the end of the day. Case Study 1 – Doras Luimní in co-operation with Crosscare & Nasc – Achieving Improvements in Accessing Social Welfare for Immigrants
Key Lessons 1. There is value in creating strong political alliances. 2. There is a need for evidence based information to change public policy. 3. A strong monitoring process is required.
2 – The Irish Heart Foundation – The F.A.S.T.
1. Keep the message ruthlessly simple.
Campaign to Raise Public Awareness of Stroke
2. Get local committees and groups
Warning Signs
involved for sustainability. 3. Have a combination of outsider and insider strategies.
3 - Rialto Rights in Action Group – Applying a Human Rights Based Approach to Real Problems
1. Identify and take opportunities that present themselves. 2. Use language of rights that policy makers can respond to. 3. Vision, planning and persistence are hugely important.
4 - Migrant Rights Centre Ireland – Justice for the Undocumented Campaign: Empowering those with no voice to act collectively and to speak directly to decision makers.
1. Empowerment is important for all those involved in the campaign. 2. Clear and compelling stories are essential. 3. The approach proved that marginalised groups can be worked with and there is great value in the insider approach.
5 - Gay + Lesbian Equality Network - The Campaign for Civil Partnership: The route to Equal Access to Civil Marriage for Gay and Lesbian Couples and Equality for All
1. You have to take risks in campaigns – ‘Progress not perfection’. 2. Need vision to guide you and stick to your goal. 3. Be flexible in the tactics used so you can respond to opportunities.
All five case studies are available to download or view on our website at: http://www.advocacyinitiative.ie/learn/tools.html. If you have any feedback on the forum or topic suggestions for our upcoming 4th Knowledge Exchange Forum in April please e-mail me on clodagh@advocacyinitiative.ie.