UNOY Youth Advocacy

United Network of Young Peacebuilders

Youth Advocacy

www.unoy.org

What is Advocacy?


www.unoy.org

What is Advocacy?


A conscious effort and process to influence the people which make policy.

(Cox, 2009)

www.unoy.org

What is Advocacy?


Advocacy is the umbrella for a number of activities.

•Lobbying:

•Campaigning:

www.unoy.org

What is Advocacy?


Advocacy is the umbrella for a number of activities.

•Lobbying: the act of influencing policy makers towards a special interest.

•Campaigning: an organized plan set for a particular goal or purpose which in general seeks to attract public interest. This motivates more people to become part of the cause.

(Cox, 2009)

www.unoy.org

Why do Advocacy? United Network of Young Peacebuilders

www.unoy.org

Why do Advocacy? United Network of Young Peacebuilders

• Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

‘Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.’

• Supports development work to impact current policy making

• Focuses on root and structural causes of issues

• Feeds into other areas of NGO work to increase visibility

• Ensures participation and representation of all key stakeholders

www.unoy.org

Who does Advocacy: United Network of Young Peacebuilders

www.unoy.org

Who does Advocacy: United Network of Young Peacebuilders

There are three options as to who can do the advocacy

•Advocacy done for main stakeholders

•Advocacy with main stakeholders

•Advocacy by main stakeholders

www.unoy.org

People-Centred Advocacy United Network of Young Peacebuilders

• Focus on the grassroots level to help main stakeholders become the leaders and voice of their own advocacy.

• This helps increase Voice and Accountability

• Voice: Can be formal or informal and expressed through

• Complaints, organized protest, lobbying, participating in decision making.

• Accountability: Described by the UNDP as

“the requirement that officials answer to stakeholders on the disposal of their powers and duties, act on criticisms or requirements made of them and accept (some) responsibility for failure, incompetence or deceit"

www.unoy.org

Who to speak with? United Network of Young Peacebuilders

www.unoy.org

Who to speak with? United Network of Young Peacebuilders

Map out Activity

•Targets

•Audience: (direct or indirect target)

•Allies

•Opponents

•Other players: organizations working in the same field

www.unoy.org


(Cox, 2009)

Follow-up

The path towards implementation is supported by follow-up activities.

•Pressure must be continuously applied

•These activities further create accountability from the policy makers.

•Build and strengthen relationships with the decision makers

•Create public awareness of what has been done (not done) to create urgency

www.unoy.org


(Cox, 2009)

www.unoy.org

What are the Challenges to Advocacy?United Network of Young Peacebuilders

www.unoy.org

What are the Challenges to Advocacy?United Network of Young Peacebuilders

→ Evaluating effectiveness

→ How do we asses our own impact?

→ There must be critical ongoing evaluation

→ Look at previous case studies

→ Do the efforts justify the invested finances and resources?

→ Ensuring the involvement of ALL stakeholders

→ The main stakeholders should always be involved

→ There is a current lack of attention on youth as stakeholders

→ Impact the strength of the campaign

→ Understanding the targets and their underlying cognitions, motivations and resources

→ What do the policy makers believe?

→ What are their motivations?

→ What power do they hold?

www.unoy.org


UNOY Advocacy

Since 1993, UNOY Peacebuilders has promoted the role of youth peacebuilding, in line with the UN Declaration for the Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010).

Advocacy activities try to influence the agendas and programs of governmental and inter-governmental institutions such as the UN and the EU, and non-governmental organisations in relation to their involvement with youth as protagonists and partners.

www.unoy.org


UNOY Advocacy

Participates in numerous events at the UN in Geneva put together by UN agencies, State Missions to the UN, or NGOs on the topics of:

•Culture of peace

•Youth movements

•Cultural heritage

•Human right to peace

•Rights of the child

•The right to education.

www.unoy.org


UNOY Advocacy

Youth Advocacy Team

•2005, 2006, 2007, 2012

•Global Youth Team advocating at the UN or the EU to promote the role of youth in peacebuilding.

In NY 2005-2006 to highlight the role of youth in the Decade for a Culture of Peace

In 2007 met with Dutch and EU policy makers on issues about a Culture of Peace and Peace Education

In 2007 recommendations for the United Nations Secretary General’s Study on Violence against Children

In 2012 in NY for a UN Security Council Resolution on Youth, Peace and Security

www.unoy.org


References

Cox, J. (2009). Participatory advocacy: A toolkit for VSO staff, volunteers and partners. VSO.

UNDP POGAR.Transparency and accountability. Retrieved, 2012, from http://www.undp-pogar.org/governance/transparency-and-accountability.aspx

http://www.undp-pogar.org/governance/transparency-and-accountability.aspx

http://www.undp-pogar.org/governance/transparency-and-accountability.aspx

Advocacy SimulationAdvocates

Applies to all groups:• Give your organization a name• Think about the context your organization

is functioning in– Country?– Urban/rural?– Youth led?– Are you advocating for a group or are

you actually part of that group yourselves

– Based on what have you defined your advocacy targets

• Why are you advocating for what you are advocating for? What is your motivation? Use the expertise you have gained in these fields during your summer school

• Further specify and define your advocacy goal and set up sub-goals

Policy Makers

Applies to all roles:

• Consider the context which you are working in:

• What are your main priorities?• Who are your allies?• Is there something you can’t stand?• Is there an issue (or several) that you are

very passionate about?• How did you end up in the position you

are in now?

• You will represent a policy maker working in the same country as the advocate which approaches you. This means that the country will change depending on the advocate you speak with, however, your goals and opinions do not change.