Why support Advocacy?
Advocacy is an essential component of field work, however its importance is often overlooked. Without advocacy, both governmental and non-governmental organizations would likely not receive sufficient funding to adequately provide services in resource-poor settings.
What is Advocacy?
ad·vo·ca·cy (n) The act or process of supporting a cause or proposal
What does Global Action for Children do?
Global Action for Children (GAC) is a nonpartisan, results-oriented coalition dedicated to advocating for orphans and highly vulnerable children in the developing world. GAC works to increase funding and ensure it is spent effectively so all children have the health care, education, food and protection they need to grow up safe and healthy.
What are the four steps of Advocacy?
Focus on the issue that will have the biggest impact upon the greatest number in the targeted population. Identify ways to improve relevant policies, increase the effectiveness of programming, and secure proper funding. Seek to influence the policies and spending of the U.S. government, donor governments, developing country governments, UN agencies and international financial institutions.
Strategize as to how you can best achieve the goal. Collaborate with other organizations and partners to mobilize support and bring the issue to the attention of lawmakers, and the general public.
Take Action. Utilize media, grassroots, and grass-tops efforts, as well as direct meetings with congressional decision-makers, administration officials and other innovative channels to push the issue.
Monitor Results. Once policy goals are achieved, closely monitor the implementation of policies and governments’ spending to ensure effectiveness and that the needs of the issue are met.
How can you become an advocate for children?
By definition, an advocate is "one that supports or promotes the interests of another." It’s easy to promote the interest of these children. All they ask is to have the health care, education, food and protection they need to grow up safe and healthy; and all they require is your voice! Letters to the editor, attending rallies and contacting your representatives as new legislation concerning children surfaces are all easy ways to become a child advocate. For more in depth ways to begin advocating for children, please Take Action Now or visit our Resources pages.
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Check back soon for a comprehensive set of questions and answers on Global Action for Children and the work we do.
For a comprehensive explanation of why supporting advocacy makes sense from The Atlantic Philanthropies, click here.
