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Guest Editors: Cindy Clark, Beth Harrison, Valerie Miller, Jethro Pettit, Lisa VeneKlasen
Ordering information

Summary

Approaches to advocacy and citizen participation are becoming increasingly important for civil society groups as more attention is paid both to popular participation in decision-making at all levels and to holding those in power accountable.

This issue explores the following questions through case studies from South Asia, Central America, East Africa, Southeast Asia and North America.

• How does participatory advocacy differ from other mainstream concepts, and how is it linked to strategies and processes of social change? What key elements of citizen education, training, and organising are involved?
• What are the strategic entry points for participatory advocacy at local, national, and global levels, and what are the dangers?
• How do we handle issues of representation and accountability in advocacy movements?
• How do we measure success and failure? Also included are training tips from a recent book on advocacy, 'A New Weave of Power, People, and Politics: The Action Guide for Advocacy and Citizen Participation', plus general articles on participatory approaches and a comprehensive resources section.

Editorial

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Advocacy and Citizenship

1. Overview - making change happen: advocacy and citizen participation
Cindy Clark, Beth Harrison, Valerie Miller, Jethro Pettit and Lisa VeneKlasen

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Abstract
Although advocacy and citizen participation are much talked about in development, how they are implemented varies greatly, and are often just tacked on to existing development models, rather than wholesale changes to methodology. This article looks at the history of advocacy and citizen participation in development, and introductions to some of the featured articles.

2. What is people-centred advocacy

John Samuel

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Abstract
Explaining some of the key terms and phrases behind advocacy and social policy, the author seeks not only to clarify the meanings, but also to give them greater focus.

3. The advocacy debate: changing policy, changing people

Lisa Veneklasen with Valerie Miller

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Abstract
This short paper looks at how a change in legislation does not necessarily bring about a change in people or society. Using an example from Zimbabwe, where a change in law to try and improve women's rights actually had a detrimental effect, and set the movement back 20 years.

4. Samajik Samikhya : a social audit process in a panchayat in Orissa

ActionAid India, Bolangir Team

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Abstract
In this paper the concept of social audits, where communities are allowed access to all information relating to a development project, both financial and non-financial, is introduced, and the process by which a social audit was implemented in Eastern India is explained, with the associated strengths and weaknesses.

5. Causes, consequences, and solutions

Lisa Veneklasen with Valerie Miller

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Abstract
In many cases identified problems, like corruption or crime, can take on a number of different forms and can be attributed to a number of different causes. This paper introduces a tool that helps map the causes, consequences and solutions to a problem, so it can be tackled more effectively.

6. Engaging people in right to food and work litigation

Arundhuti Roy Choudhury

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Abstract
India has huge food surplus stocks while many people live in abject poverty. In this paper the author looks at ways of addressing this disparity through making food and work an entitlement for the poor and marginalized, and documents the campaign that led to a Supreme Court directive.

7. Struggle of civil society organisations in Pakistan for pro-people legislation

Irfan Mufti

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Abstract
After a change in law, the government of Pakistan effectively put all NGOs and CBOs under their control. This move was vehemently opposed by these organisations, and this paper charts the establishment of a national NGO forum, and it's campaign to alter the legislation.

8. People's Assemblies on Devolution of Power: a case study on popular political participation in Pakistan

Irashida Dohad

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Abstract
In this paper the author details the establishment of People's Assemblies in Pakistan, a platform upon which ordinary people, that are normally excluded from the political process, could discuss and define their own political agenda, providing them with an opportunity to affect government policy.

9. Participation for whom?

Partricia Ardon

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Abstract
Documenting the rejection of pro-poor legislation by the population of Guatemala in a referendum on policy, despite widespread awareness programmes, this paper looks at participation within a broader context and considers the reasons for the use of participation in many development projects and what impacts these have.  

10. Jumping on the train: the pastoralist experience in Kenya's PRSP

Daoud Tari Abkula

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Abstract
Pastoralist groups in Kenya, although forming a significant part of society, are widely marginalized and overlooked within government. However, when the government ignored them completely when designing a Poverty Reduction Strategy, the pastoralists formed a lobbying group. This paper describes how the group was formed, and the success they had in getting their voices heard.

11. Assessing entry points: questions of engagement

Lisa Veneklasen with Valerie Miller    

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Abstract
Although engaging with communities when deciding policy may appear transparent, the means by which this is done can often be construed to meet certain agendas. This paper assesses whether your voice will be heard when invited to policy discussions along with other questions that you should consider when taking part in participation.

12. Grassroots women's advocacy programme

Nani Zulminarni

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Abstract
Through changes in the law and the signing of various international accords, the representation of women in Indonesian society has improved, at least on paper. However, in reality little has changed. This paper follows a grassroots women's group as they set about trying to make policy become reality.

13. Power and empowerment

Lisa Veneklasen with Valerie Miller    

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Abstract
Although power is obviously an extremely important aspect of interaction, it is also very dynamic and subtle, and found in three different forms- invisible, hidden, and visible. The authors argue that through better understanding of these different forms, the process of empowerment can be better managed.

14. The struggle at Yellow Creek

Valerie Miller

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Abstract
When a community in Southern USA took action to stop a tanning company from polluting their local water sources, they had huge problems initially getting their voices heard, and were then subject to extreme intimidation by the company and local councillors. This paper shows that many problems faced by community groups across the world are similar, and how community empowerment can be a powerful tool.

15. From city streets to congressional corridors: insights from the US anti-war movement

David Cohen

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Abstract
Reflecting on the anti-war lobby during the Vietnam war, the author puts both the war and peace movement in context, and shows how widespread public disapproval was at first ignored but eventually led to political involvement and action. He then goes on to suggest what lessons have been learned from this important period in history.

16. Monitoring and evaluating advocacy

Jennifer Chapman

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Abstract
Advocacy and citizen participation are now key components of most development projects. But how do you measure if they have been successful? And how can you learn from you mistakes? In this paper the author outlines a framework for research into these issues that will be carried out in five countries around the world.

GENERAL SECTION

17. Determining priorities in rural communities in Jamaica

Jane Dodman

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Abstract
This article details a method of assessing development needs of a region. With three different villages represented in a consultative group, each with their own development needs, four different methods of prioritising were used. Differing results were achieved with each method, and overall this gave a more robust list of developmental goals, while allowing participants exposure to many different methodologies.

18. From dependence to self-reliance through restoring human values: an experience with farmers' organisations

Rajiv S. Saxena and S.K. Pradhan

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Abstract
When communities are constantly looked upon as requiring aid and as beneficiaries of development, they eventually lose value and confidence in themselves and can become totally dependent on outside assistance. This article draws on the experience of farmer's groups in India, and how they moved towards self-help and being able to capitalise on their strengths.

19. Participatory communal conflict resolution (PCCR)- a tale of two Nigerian local communities

Chimaraoke O. Izugbara

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Abstract
This paper describes how facilitators from outside managed to help resolve a conflict between two villages in Nigeria, averting all out war. Using both participation and an understanding of traditional methods of conflict resolution, an agreeable outcome for both sides was achieved.

Feedback:

Response to 'Introducing PRA techniques in the learning of environmental education in Southern Peru' Sonia Gomez Garcia and Jose Pizarro Neyra, PLA Notes 40, pp13-17.

Levis Kavagi

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Abstract

In this feedback article the author reinforces findings in the article by Garcia and Neyra from PLA Notes 40 about environmental education in Peru with his own experiences.

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