Advocacy

Added by Karin Gavelin, last edited by Karin Gavelin on Jan 24, 2007  (view change)

THE STRATEGY CONSULTATION IS NOW CLOSED.

Many thanks for all the excellent and useful comments. We are currently planning how the final strategy will be published, which we expect to happen in spring.

If you have any further comments or queries, don't hesitate to get in touch: karin@involve.org.uk.

ADVOCACY - BUILDING THE CASE FOR GENUINE CITIZEN EMPOWERMENT

Steers from the Involve visioning day in July 2006 indicated that Involve should:

  • Become more external facing. Have a presence in the media for making key arguments on democratic, social and institutional reform.
  • Build strong links across all relevant government departments.
  • Build stronger relationships with the political parties.
  • Build communications into projects at their outset.

What we will aim to do:

  • Consider communications at the outset of all projects.
  • Pro-actively develop projects aimed at resonating with policy, public and media communities.
  • Support passionate communication from Involve staff.
  • Develop annual events programme of seminars, project workshops and national events.
  • Become a presence in public policy debates, including those at party conferences as well as at other international, national and regional public policy events.
  • Build relationships with MPs, the community and voluntary sector and social activists to aid citizen engagement.
  • Build relationships with broadcasters and develop programme ideas.
  • Approach communications firms about pro-bono support.

What we will not do:

  • Focus our primary efforts on issues that are already high on the agenda and where other organisations are promoting the issues, e.g. electoral reform.

Measuring success:

  • Significantly raised awareness of public participation best practice.
  • Improved understanding of what citizens want from public participation.
  • Involve resources being demonstrably useful to others.
  • References made to work in political chambers: House of Commons/Lords; Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly, European Union, local government.
  • Greater reach in public policy debates: building working relationships with other actors in the public realm, including the community and voluntary sector and other organisations interested in civil renewal.
  • Awareness of Involve as an organisation: develop proxy's for awareness such as web hits, references in the press.

What do you think about our Advocacy plans?

  • Do you agree with the plans above?
  • Is there anything you do not agree with?
  • Is there anything you think is missing ?
  • Is there anything you do not understand?

Let us know by clicking on 'Add Comment' in the bottom left corner of the screen.

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Comments (5)

 

  1. Dec 07, 2006

    Tom Burke says:

    Overall, sounds good. Agree that an external facing body is very important. espe...

    Overall, sounds good. Agree that an external facing body is very important. especially one which is attempting to forge relationships with others.

    My only overriding concern is that it sounds overly central government focussed. Whilst you measure success by mentions in political chambers you aim to only work with MPs (not MEPs, MSPs, AMs, Cllrs, etc). The worry is that you could become swept up in government's agenda rather than setting the agenda.

    However, the pedant in me queries what the "relevant" government departments are - surely participation is relevant to all government departments? You may prioritise some as they have more impact but you would aim to have good links with all.

  2. Dec 07, 2006

    Anonymous says:

    OK, but target your lobbying and your networking on those with an interest and/o...

    OK, but target your lobbying and your networking on those with an interest and/or power to promote the changes you seek.  Also, it seems to me much of the innovation is happening at local council level. 

  3. Dec 08, 2006

    Phil Green says:

    Don't get the sense that advocacy e.g. building the case for genuine community e...

    Don't get the sense that advocacy e.g. building the case for genuine community empowerment through involvement - will be taken directly to citizens and community groups.

    Example here of institutions appearing to come first (rather than citizens and communities) e.g. would it be wide of the mark to rewrite 'Build relationships... ' etc, as: "Build relationships with social activists,  the community and voluntary sector and MPs  to aid citizen engagement"?

    Measuring success -  web hits is about people coming to you.  If you're serious about being outward facing shouldn't you also be counting  how much you go to others - so in other words what external websites, etc.  you contribute to ?

  4. Dec 20, 2006

    Anonymous says:

    I think it's also important that Involve builds links or communicates with parti...

    I think it's also important that Involve builds links or communicates with participation practitioners around the country, enabling their voice to be heard in the debates around participation, and enabling them to develop their thinking in this area through learning from each other.  It's important to build links with your constituency.

  5. Dec 21, 2006

    Anonymous says:

    You will need to be clear about working at a political level (Scottish Parliamen...

    You will need to be clear about working at a political level (Scottish Parliament), or an administration level (Scottish Executive), and decide what to do about both of these.

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