"This report provides a crucial and in depth look at ICT initiatives and trends across the key human rights practices of prevention, fact-finding, and advocacy, identifying both risks and opportunities. In prevention, ICTs can be harnessed to protect human rights defenders, to prevent violations in
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police-civilian interactions, and in data-driven early warning systems and communication-based conflict prevention. That said, ICTs also create new security risks for human rights defenders and can violate the right to privacy. In fact-finding, ICTs afford the spontaneous and solicited participation of civilian witnesses in the production of human rights evidence. Of course, a greater volume and variety of information from unknown and untrained sources creates problems of misinformation and verification, which technology only goes so far to mitigate. In advocacy, ICTs provide new channels for quickly and visibly mobilizing publics, for directly engaging with advocacy targets, and for spreading awareness of human rights. That said, the effects of these new advocacy channels are unclear, and they may imperil categories of human rights and the reputations of human rights organizations. The report also considers how digital divides and the political economy of ICTs influence the nature, extent, and distribution of these opportunities and risks. In doing so, it outlines a research framework for understanding ICTs and human rights practice to underpin academics’ and practitioners’ assessment, development, and deployment of ICTs for and in the spirit of human rights." (Executive summary)
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"This brief offers a simple one-page tool for thinking about the theories of change that underlie public policy advocacy strategies. It first presents the tool and then offers six questions that advocates, and funders working with advocates, can work through to better articulate their theories of ch
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ange. The tool—labeled the advocacy strategy framework—has several advantages over more familiar linear box-and-arrow theory-of-change tools: As advocacy is not predictable or linear, the tool does not force linear thinking; it offers a place to start, rather than a blank page; it helps advocates to think more specifically about audiences—who is expected to change and how, and what it will take to get them there; while theories of change often consider advocacy strategies in isolation of other efforts, this tool helps to think about how other advocates (like-minded or in opposition) are positioned; it prompts thinking about useful tactics and meaningful interim outcomes." (Introduction, page 1)
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"This chapter provides an overview of development and social change by talking about advocacy approaches to social justice. Advocacy communication offers a critical approach within the field of development, working toward social justice. Recognizing conditions of globalization contributes toward an
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analysis of problems and solutions that privilege normative and structural change. Advocacy communication engages strategic intervention with clear political positions, having no pretense toward neutrality, and resisting hegemonic dominance in valuing social justice. Focusing on advocacy allows one to consider the potential value of social change, recognizing the latent and manifest politics of approaches to intervention. The chapter also explores the role of communication and media in facilitating and limiting the potential for advocacy. It concludes with future research areas that would contribute toward social justice." (Summary)
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"[This book] examines the work of celebrity advocacy and lobbying in international development. Its purpose is to understand the alliances resulting, their history, consequences, wider contexts and implications. It argues that celebrity advocacy signals a new aspect of elite rule. For populist celeb
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rity advocacy can mark, ironically, a disengagement between the public and politics, and particularly the public and civil society. Recognising this poses new challenges, but also presents new opportunities, for the development movement." (Publisher description)
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"The Handbook on Advocacy, Communication, and Social Mobilization (ACSM) for RNTCP aims to provide momentum and build ACSM capacity by clearly describing the processes involved in planning and implementation of ACSM activities in support of TB control and prevention. It seeks to help the reader bett
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er understand the significance of ACSM in TB-control interventions under the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP). The handbook provides practical guidelines and describes the ‘nuts and bolts’ of operational activities with examples of planning and implementing different ACSM programs and activities. The experience of assessing the ACSM scenario in five states, viz., Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, and Meghalaya, conducted by IHBP during 2012, came useful in developing this handbook. This document remains a dynamic and living document that will be updated with inputs from the field during its operationalization at state and district levels. The handbook has been organized into seven parts: Part 1 of the handbook describes the background and context of TB-related ACSM in India and provides conceptual clarity on the strategy framework of ACSM as distinct but mutually supporting interventions for TB prevention and cure. Part 2 outlines the strategy and explains step-by-step processes of ACSM situation analysis to prepare robust, evidence-based program implementation plans (PIPs). Part 3 describes ACSM objectives, approach, and implementation plan. Part 4 discusses the selection of channels and messages based on the ‘strengths’ and ‘weaknesses’ of different channels to enable selection of costeffective channels/vehicles of message delivery to targeted audiences and design of appropriate messages. Part 5 describes the different tools that could be used for ACSM activities and preparation of PIPs at district and state levels as well as describes various ACSM activities with practical operational details for implementation. Part 5 outlines the processes and targeted staff for ACSM capacity building. Part 6 emphasizes the need for rigorous monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and provides simple guidelines for conducting M&E to make ACSM activities more effective in support of RNTCP." (About this handbook, page 9)
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"The Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) together with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) organised a two and a half day training workshop from 20th to 22nd February 2013, for the Uganda-Poverty and Conservation Learning Group members (U-PCLG)
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and journalists from various electronic and print media houses. The major objectives of the workshop were: for the U-PCLG members to learn and acquire skills on how to become an effective policy advocacy network; for journalists to learn how to report on poverty and biodiversity conservation." (Background and Introduction, page 4)
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"This brief lays out 10 theories grounded in diverse disciplines and worldviews that have relevance to the world of advocacy and policy change. These theories can help to untangle beliefs and assumptions about the inner workings of the policy making process and identify causal connections supported
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by research to explain how and why a change may or may not occur. This piece is not meant to be comprehensive of all possible relevant theories and approaches; rather, it introduces and illustrates a handful of theories that may be useful to advocates, funders, and evaluators. While the theories included may have broad applicability, the brief is grounded in the context of US domestic policy. Knowing about existing theories may sharpen your own thinking, provide new ways of looking at the policy world, and give you a leg up on developing your own theory of change. The final section gives concrete examples of the way in which advocates, funders, and evaluators can use this brief in their work." (Introduction, page 1-2)
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"The Protection Project encourages the dissemination of information about the best ways to combat trafficking in persons by recommending five main components of civil society: (a) nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), (b) corporations, (c) academia, (d) media, and (e) faith-based organizations. The
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Protection Project’s '100 Best Practices in Combating Trafficking in Persons: The Role of Civil Society' offers examples of some successful initiatives that have been undertaken by representatives of those five main categories. This publication is intended to serve as a guide in the design and implementation of anti-trafficking practices worldwide, as well as to inform the general public about outstanding contributions to the fight against trafficking in persons. This document is divided into five parts: Part I highlights initiatives carried out by NGOs, which are grouped under four broad categories: prevention, protection, identification and investigation, and multipronged initiatives. Part II lists initiatives undertaken by corporations, employment agencies, unions, and workers’ associations. Research projects, secondary school, and university courses about trafficking in persons, as well as clinical programs, are grouped in Part III, which is devoted to academia. Part IV focuses on media initiatives and highlights the different means used to inform the widest possible audience about trafficking in persons, including news programs, documentaries, films, websites, and mobile applications. Finally, Part V highlights the role that religious institutions can play in the fight against trafficking and lists initiatives taken by faith-based organizations." (Introduction, page 1)
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"Advocacy communication is now a key action term in development discourse. Advocates are usually issue- or programme-oriented and do not often think in terms of an ongoing process of social change in general, or peacebuilding in particular. The resolution of an issue or the initiation of a programme
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are ends in themselves. Thus, the primary aim of advocacy is to foster public policies that are supportive to the solution of an issue or programme. Since public policies must be viewed as an integral part of development processes, the kind of advocacy we advocate is participatory." (Abstract)
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"Advocacy, communication, and social mobilization (ACSM) refers to a set of interventions that supports tuberculosis (TB) control goals and objectives at international, national, and local levels. These include advocating for sufficient resources, promoting healthy behaviors and attitudes, and engag
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ing affected communities in the fight against TB. ACSM activities also can battle stigma, correct misconceptions about TB, and identify new funding mechanisms to support TB control—all of which are essential to sustaining and increasing the gains that we have made in TB control over the past several decades. This curriculum is designed for training TB control professionals and civil society activists at national and local levels who are involved in ACSM efforts. It is designed to provide countrylevel staff with the specific knowledge and skills to plan, implement, and evaluate effective ACSM interventions linked to specific TB control objectives. The curriculum structure and methodologies proposed by PATH were approved by the Stop TB Partnership ACSM Country Level Core Group members for global use. The original version of the curriculum was significantly refined and modified in response to partners’ comments and to meet participants’ needs." (Introduction, page 2)
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"The purpose of this document is to highlight cases in which Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) interventions have contributed to a positive outcome of tuberculosis (TB) control activities directed to a range of audiences and settings. It is intended for on-the-ground stakeholder
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s who are interested in successfully integrating ACSM strategies and activities into TB control programming, as well as for decision-makers who can provide greater political and financial support for ACSM activities at the national, sub-national and international level. ACSM is a relatively new technical component within the Stop TB Strategy, but its application is increasing quickly. In recent years, many partners and countries have adopted ACSM models – notably including the engagement of communities and patients in TB care and prevention – with the purpose of expanding the reach of TB programmes in innovative and effective ways. A significant differentiator of ACSM strategies is their focus on patient and community empowerment. This element promotes the integration of community-based programming into the otherwise medical and vertical health service delivery model that has traditionally been employed by TB control programmes." (Introduction)
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"This tool can be used in different places and for different types of advocacy, and helps CAFOD and our partners to think about the wider context of their work as well as their achievements. The levels are cumulative, and require partner organisations to think through the reasons why they might be c
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lassed at one level or another by providing anecdotal evidence in each case. The tool does not prescribe which elements to emphasize in any given level. Organisations may find elements of their work in more than one box but are asked to best approximate their level on a yearly basis." (Page 1)
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"The Advocacy Toolkit provides a broadly accepted definition of advocacy and underscores UNICEF’s unique position and experience in advocacy. The heart of the Toolkit provides detailed steps, guidance and tools for developing and implementing an advocacy strategy. The Toolkit also outlines eight f
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oundational areas that can help strengthen an office’s capacity for advocacy, and covers several crosscutting aspects of advocacy including monitoring and evaluating advocacy, managing knowledge in advocacy, managing risks in advocacy, building relationships and securing partnerships for advocacy, and working with children and young people in advocacy. Special focuses examine a variety of specific topics, including human rights and equity approaches to advocacy, theories of change, and conducting advocacy in humanitarian situations." (About the Advocacy Toolkit, page iv)
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"En esta investigación, se busca conocer bajo qué formas, Radio Placeres de ValparaÃso, Radio Tierra de Recoleta y Radio 1º de Mayo de La victoria, contribuyen en el empoderamiento tanto individual como comunitario de sus comunidades. Este objetivo se llevará a cabo, mediante la comparación en
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tre las definiciones teóricas de empoderamiento y medio de comunicación comunitaria, con las observaciones empÃricas de 3 radios comunitarias chilenas. Se utilizó durante la investigación una metodologÃa cualitativa, compuesta por entrevistas semi-estructuradas a radioescuchas de las radios y a personas que tuviesen conocimiento acerca de la relación entre las radios y las organizaciones sociales, a quienes llamamos 'informantes clave'." (Resumen ejecutivo)
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"Social movements have generated interest in development circles since the mid-1990s as relatively independent expressions of civil society, mobilising people to set their own development priorities and agendas for issues as diverse as water privatisation, neo-liberal trade policies, the rights of w
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omen and indigenous peoples, and access to HIV anti-retroviral treatment. In the case of HIV and AIDS, independent civil-society initiative has been key to successful responses. Social movements of people living with HIV and AIDS, gay men, women, sex workers, and people who inject drugs have developed innovative institutions and responses to HIV and AIDS, and organised against stigma and discrimination. By bringing people together and advocating effectively, social movements have amplified voices of people most affected by HIV, enabling them to influence governments and decision makers." (Abstract)
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"How do you tell your story effectively? How can NGOs make their messages as attractive and compelling as other, competing, information? By using information design. Information design can help tell your story to a variety of constituencies. You can use it as an advocacy tool, for outreach or for ed
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ucation. You can facilitate strategic planning by making a visual map of a given situation. This pamphlet is divided in two parts: first an overview of information design, what it is and how it can be used for social change, followed by some basic principles, tips and advice to help you get started. The examples included in this pamphlet were made by advocacy organizations, media companies and individuals around the world. The graphics show some of the many ways information can be designed and how information design can be used in your campaign." (Introduction)
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