Global Action for Children’s (GAC’s) current priorities are to build political will, promote sound policies, and mobilize resources in support of (1) an expanded, comprehensive response to the crisis of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC); (2) accelerating universal basic education and the elimination of school fees; and (3) increasing the commitment of the U.S. and other wealthy nations to issues that affect children, including malaria, child survival, and early childhood development. Success in meeting these goals is critical to enable children to develop to their full potential and contribute to the future stability and economic development of their countries.

Global Action for Children utilizes the following action strategies to advance our advocacy goals:

Policy Analysis and Advocacy
Credible, well-researched policy analysis and aggressive, nonpartisan advocacy are central to GAC’s work. GAC pursues an entrepreneurial, results-based approach that seeks to achieve real political impact and secure concrete benefits for orphans and other vulnerable children. GAC is committed to persuading policymakers to allocate the resources needed to implement on-the-ground programs that include access to essential health care, education, food and nutrition, and social protection. Such programs help ensure the well-being of children and allow them to develop to their fullest potential.

Media Outreach and Public Education
By getting the facts straight and taking a principled stance, GAC is establishing itself with major national and international media and other opinion leaders as a credible source of policy analysis and recommendations. GAC’s media outreach activities include (1) timely press releases strategically distributed to key opinion makers; (2) briefing documents to ensure accurate coverage of global OVC and HIV/AIDS crises; and (3) placing op-eds in national and local media. As occasions arise, GAC hosts press conferences and organizes Capitol Hill briefings and speaker tours featuring OVC and education experts.

Coalition Building
Coalition building is a central part of GAC’s efforts to mobilize a comprehensive response to the OVC crisis. Bringing together a broad range of groups from across the political spectrum lets policymakers know that everyone can unify behind the common cause of supporting children.

Grasstops and Grassroots Mobilization
Through its Leadership Council, GAC is well positioned to translate public support into an activist constituency by strategically linking targeted grasstops and grassroots mobilization with media and public education outreach. Ultimately, grasstops and grassroots activism will be critical to creating and sustaining the political momentum needed to achieve GAC’s advocacy goals.

My Own Monsters: Designed by children to benefit children