Welcome to the 9th module on your journey to building digital communities for social change: advocate for and amplify youth needs.
This module was created based on the online “Introduction to Advocacy Training” developed by advocacy expert Susan Van Esch.
Purpose
In today’s world different and divergent developments are taking place. On the one hand, we see a world in which progress is being made: less people live in poverty, education rates have gone up and technological developments have made it easier to connect and access information. At the same time, we see a world that has become more closed, literally and figuratively: more conservative voices and governments, increased suppression of fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, access to information and participation in public affairs are being suppressed. This applies particularly to the countries where RNW Media works: space for civil society is shrinking, young people have difficulties in exercising their right and claiming their space. To respond to this increasing repression and violation of rights, we need to step up and invest in our advocacy work.
If we want to create change, we also need to work on the legal context. The role RNW Media takes in advocacy is that of a technical partner, closely working together with other advocacy partners. We make use of our strengths, including media and campaigning skills, in our advocacy partnerships and processes. To do this in a good way and be able to strategize together with the advocacy partners, we need to have a basic understanding of advocacy and the way it works. And that is the aim of this training. An introduction to advocacy.
Learning Goals
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Define the key elements of advocacy and amplification
- Distinguish between different advocacy tools and activities
- Value the importance of legitimacy, SMART objectives, power analysis, partnerships and effective messaging in advocacy
- Be aware of how to outline an advocacy strategy and plan
- Distinguish between different tactics of amplification, including through social media, traditional media and physical offline actions
Learning Journal Reflection
Take a moment to reflect in your learning journal:
RNW Media works to improve the situation of young people by working with, and for, young people in many countries.
- How does advocacy relate to this objective?
- How and why should you include young people in your advocacy work?
- What do you think is needed for young people to be able to do advocacy work? How can young people discover how to get the changes they want by persuading others?
- Do you think it is important for your organisation to inform/train young people and to do advocacy? Or can we leave it to the leaders and established activists?
Some reasons why young people should be involved in (training of) advocacy include:
- Young people know the issues they face best
- Young people are in a good position to talk about their issues and give first-hand evidence, making the advocacy more legitimate and believable
- Young people are best able to engage other young people in pushing for change
- Young people have the right to participate in decisions that affect their lives.