PHR Advocacy Training 8 Key Steps in Advocacy

Step 1 – Coming Together

Step 1 – Coming Together Reach out to an relevant group urban and rural men and women Nurses Doctors Pharmacists other healers Consider creative collaborations for unique outreach Journalists Artists Theater groups People with common concerns are the most effective.

Reach out to an relevant group

urban and rural

men and women

Nurses

Doctors

Pharmacists

other healers

Consider creative

collaborations for

unique outreach

Journalists

Artists

Theater groups

People with common concerns are the most effective.

Step 1 – Coming Together Meet to discuss the concerns and develop proposed solutions. Clear agenda that people agree on Introduce everyone Facilitator to keep discussion on track Concrete next steps and assignments at the end

Meet to discuss the concerns and develop proposed solutions.

Clear agenda that people agree on

Introduce everyone

Facilitator to keep discussion on track

Concrete next steps and assignments at the end

Step 2 – Setting the Objective

Step 2 – Setting the Objective An overall goal is important – for example treating everyone with HIV/AIDS. Still, objectives must be specific and concrete.

An overall goal is important – for example treating everyone with HIV/AIDS.

Still, objectives must be specific and concrete.

Step 2 – Setting the Objective Objectives should be achievable. There can be multiple objectives, but the fewer the more manageable. Everyone involved must either agree on objectives or accept them.

Objectives should be achievable.

There can be multiple objectives, but the fewer the more manageable.

Everyone involved must either agree on objectives or accept them.

Step 3 – Getting the Facts

Step 3 – Getting the Facts All advocacy depends on a strong analysis of the situation you are addressing. It may be necessary to do additional research – get available public health data, learn policies of Ministries.

All advocacy depends on a strong analysis of the situation you are addressing.

It may be necessary to do additional research – get available public health data, learn policies of Ministries.

Step 3 – Getting the Facts It is important to write this down – a background paper setting out the facts can help educate and organize. See PHR’s “Getting the Facts” Guide in the Student Toolbox

It is important to write this down – a background paper setting out the facts can help educate and organize.

See PHR’s “Getting the Facts” Guide in the Student Toolbox

Step 4 – Deciding Who You Are Trying to Influence

Step 4 – Deciding Who You Are Trying to Influence It is important to figure out who has the authority to make the decision. Sometimes there are multiple decisions and decision makers. Strategies must always be tailored to who the decision-maker is.

It is important to figure out who has the authority to make the decision. Sometimes there are multiple decisions and decision makers.

Strategies must always be tailored to who the decision-maker is.

Step 4 – Deciding Who You Are Trying to Influence Sometimes the person or institution can be influenced directly, sometimes indirectly. It is important to try to understand what is most likely to influence each decision-maker. Examples: gaining public support, bettering his/her reputation, gaining funding, forming alliances, etc

Sometimes the person or institution can be influenced directly, sometimes indirectly.

It is important to try to understand what is most likely to influence each decision-maker.

Examples: gaining public support, bettering his/her reputation, gaining funding, forming alliances, etc

Step 4 – Deciding Who You Are Trying to Influence Examples of decision makers on HIV/AIDS: Ministry of Health, district health directors, other Ministries (Finance), Parliament, international agencies – WHO, UNAIDS, and Donors – Global Fund, United States policy makers. See our “Power Mapping” Guide in the Student Toolbox

Examples of decision makers on HIV/AIDS: Ministry of Health, district health directors, other Ministries (Finance), Parliament, international agencies – WHO, UNAIDS, and Donors – Global Fund, United States policy makers.

See our “Power Mapping” Guide in the Student Toolbox

Step 5 – Determine What Decision Can Be Influenced

Step 5 – Determine What Decision Can Be Influenced Understand the context and the constraints on the decision-maker. Understand the timing of the decision.

Understand the context and the constraints on the decision-maker.

Understand the timing of the decision.

Step 5 – Determine What Decision Can Be Influenced Focus as much as you can on a particular decision at a particular time. Sometimes there may be no decision pending and it is up to advocates to put a matter on the agenda.

Focus as much as you can on a particular decision at a particular time.

Sometimes there may be no decision pending and it is up to advocates to put a matter on the agenda.

Step 6 – Build Alliances and Coalitions

Step 6 – Build Alliances and Coalitions Working together is likely to achieve the best results. Remember: There is strength in numbers; but, make sure everyone agrees on the coalition’s goals.

Working together is likely to achieve the best results.

Remember: There is strength in numbers; but, make sure everyone agrees on the coalition’s goals.

Step 6 – Build Alliances and Coalitions Pros Different groups have different perspectives and better to resolve them among groups with similar objectives Possibility of greater support or hands-on effort New ideas Resource or Information Connections Funding opportunities Community outreach Expertise Greater legitimacy in higher numbers

Pros

Different groups have different perspectives and better to resolve them among groups with similar objectives

Possibility of greater support or hands-on effort

New ideas

Resource or Information Connections

Funding opportunities

Community outreach

Expertise

Greater legitimacy in higher numbers

Step 6 – Build Alliances and Coalitions Example- Collaboration for HIV/AIDS advocacy: Potential partners Nurses, doctors, people living with HIV/AIDS, traditional healers, midwives, NGOs etc. in common cause Guidelines Need to clearly articulate and agree with the needs of each group Be clear on what each group’s strengths and limitations Can and should respect each others differences Refer to the Collaboration Guide in the PHR Toolbox for more advise

Example- Collaboration for HIV/AIDS advocacy:

Potential partners

Nurses, doctors, people living with HIV/AIDS, traditional healers, midwives, NGOs etc. in common cause

Guidelines

Need to clearly articulate and agree with the needs of each group

Be clear on what each group’s strengths and limitations

Can and should respect each others differences

Refer to the Collaboration Guide in the PHR Toolbox for more advise

Step 7 – Methods of Advocacy

Step 7 – Methods of Advocacy General Rules: Be clear on objective. Develop a strong case. Make sure the “message” is clear, understandable and appealing.

General Rules:

Be clear on objective.

Develop a strong case.

Make sure the “message” is clear, understandable and appealing.

Step 7 – Methods of Advocacy Methods: Writing letters and making phone calls Public education: oral presentations, written articles, fact sheets, open classes, reports, speaking events Meetings with government officials, Parliamentarians, international agencies These are common methods; do not be afraid to get creative.

Methods:

Writing letters and making phone calls

Public education: oral presentations, written articles, fact sheets, open classes, reports, speaking events

Meetings with government officials, Parliamentarians, international agencies

These are common methods; do not be afraid to get creative.

Step 7 – Methods of Advocacy Tips for Meeting with Policy Makers: Be persistent in seeking meeting Have clearly identified agenda Be prepared with specific requests Have lead spokesperson setting out background and reasons Be respectful Show extent of support Seek ongoing dialogue Use media

Tips for Meeting with Policy Makers:

Be persistent in seeking meeting

Have clearly identified agenda

Be prepared with specific requests

Have lead spokesperson setting out background and reasons

Be respectful

Show extent of support

Seek ongoing dialogue

Use media

Step 8 – Review and Adjust

Step 8 – Review and Adjust As advocacy efforts proceed, review objectives, facts needed, and participants. Adjust accordingly. Need to arrange meetings and discussion so that group stays together and addresses strategies and new concerns.

As advocacy efforts proceed, review objectives, facts needed, and participants. Adjust accordingly.

Need to arrange meetings and discussion so that group stays together and addresses strategies and new concerns.