Public policy is a
function of the dominant politics. Politics is a dominant set of power
relationships, so there is a need to understand the link between public
policies and political process on the one hand; and political process
and power relationship within the society on the other hand.
An issue needs to be framed the way people feel and perceive it. An
issue is a social, economic or political concern or phenomenon, which
affects a large number of people over a long period of time. It needs
to be understood in terms of power relationships within the society,
politics of the state and the policy priorities.
One of the key problems in most of the countries in the Global south is
the increasing gap between policy rhetoric and real implementation.
Radical sounding language is increasingly used to gloss over
deprivation, injustice and inequality. Through the co-option of
language, symbols and institutions that claim to represent civil
society and the marginalised, decision makers tend to create more and
more policy mirage. Policy mirage is a public policy statement, which
articulates a lofty vision and principles for change, without any clear
programme to move toward that vision and without any budgetary
allocation to implement the policy. Such policy mirages create
illusions of change while perpetuating the status quo. Hence, there is
a need to understand and change a public policy in terms of policy
direction, relevant legislation, accompanying programme, implementing
mechanisms and most importantly financial allocation.
Advocacy means amplifying the voice for a positive change. But the
fundamental question facing activists is whose voice and for what
purpose. Across the world large numbers of people are marginalized and
unheard in the corridors of power and advocacy is the process of using
information strategically to change policies that affect the lives of
these disadvantaged people. It often involves lobbying northern
development and political institutions. Increasingly southern NGOs are
developing advocacy skills to challenge local, national and
international policies.
This involves strengthening the structures through which poor people
can participate in the formulation of the policies that control their
lives, for example developing strong local networks and representation
on local and national civic institutions. Projects, which involve the
people affected by policy change in developing, implementing and
monitoring advocacy work are more likely to achieve concrete change on
the ground.
Characteristics of People-centered Advocacy
People-centered advocacy is a set of organized actions aimed at
influencing public policies, societal attitudes and socio-political
processes that enable and empower the marginalised to speak for
themselves. Its purpose is social transformation through the
realization of human rights: civil, political, economic, social and
cultural.
People-centered advocacy is
by the people,
of the people and
for the people.
Hence, it is the spirit of democracy that drives the very idea of
people-centered advocacy.
What has SANSAD done so far?
National Level:
- Finance Ministry : budget analysis
and what needs to be done for helping the rural poor
- Defence Ministry : reduction in
budget
- Commerce Ministry : WTO and other
trade related issues affecting agriculture and livelihoods
- Health Ministry : AIDS drugs
- Prime Minister’s Office :
WTO and Farmer’s Rights
Regional Level:
- Advocacy with governments at the
South Asian Convention of the People’s Summit against Poverty
- Lobbying with the SAARC Secretariat
through the recommendations emanating out of the South Asian
People’s Summit
International Level:
- Mobilisation and participation in
WTO 2005, FAO, G5 meet
- Presentation of paper on the Doha
Agenda at the Carnegie Foundation
- Participation at ICARRD, Brazil
for Agrarian Reforms
