United Network of Young Peacebuilders Advocacy Powerpoint done by Andrea Duran

1. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
Youth Advocacy

2. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
What is Advocacy?
www.unoy.org

3. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
What is Advocacy?
A conscious effort and process to influence the people
which make policy.
(Cox, 2009)
www.unoy.org

4. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is the umbrella for a number of
activities.
•Lobbying:
•Campaigning:
www.unoy.org

5. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
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

6. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
Why do Advocacy?
www.unoy.org

7. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
Why do Advocacy?
• 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

8. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
Who does Advocacy:
www.unoy.org

9. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
Who does Advocacy:
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

10. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
People-Centred Advocacy
• 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

11. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
Who to speak with?
www.unoy.org

12. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
Who to speak with?
Map out Activity
•Targets
•Audience: (direct or indirect target)
•Allies
•Opponents
•Other players: organizations working in the same field
www.unoy.org

13. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
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
(Cox, 2009)
www.unoy.org

14. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
(Cox, 2009)
www.unoy.org

15. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
What are the Challenges to Advocacy?
www.unoy.org

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

17. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
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

18. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
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

19. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
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

20. United Network of Young Peacebuilders
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.a
www.unoy.org

21. Advocacy Simulation
Advocates Policy Makers
Applies to all groups: Applies to all roles:
• Give your organization a name
• Think about the context your organization • Consider the context which you are
is functioning in working in:
– Country?
– Urban/rural? • What are your main priorities?
– Youth led? • Who are your allies?
– Are you advocating for a group or are • Is there something you can’t stand?
you actually part of that group •
yourselves Is there an issue (or several) that you are
very passionate about?
– Based on what have you defined your
advocacy targets • How did you end up in the position you
are in now?
• Why are you advocating for what you are • You will represent a policy maker working
advocating for? What is your motivation?
Use the expertise you have gained in in the same country as the advocate
these fields during your summer school which approaches you. This means that
the country will change depending on the
advocate you speak with, however, your
• Further specify and define your advocacy goals and opinions do not change.
goal and set up sub-goals