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Local Advocacy

This section explores practical ways in which NGOs and CBOs might get involved in advocating for children, particularly at local level. It also looks at the issue of advocacy more broadly and briefly considers ways in which locally-focused NGOs and CBOs can get involved in advocacy at national and international levels.

Other sections looking at related issues include doing the work, working with volunteers and running an organization. Key points about local advocacy are:

1. Advocacy can be defined as pleading in support of others or speaking for those who are powerless to speak for themselves.

2. The Convention on the Rights of the Child provides a powerful basis for advocacy efforts at all levels.

3. Children are able to play various roles in advocacy activities speaking for themselves on key issues

4. Many NGOs/CBOs find 'advocacy' difficult. However, local advocacy can be started in a number of small practical ways, which are often simply an extension of existing activities.

5. Locally-based NGOs/CBOs can often engage most effectively with advocacy issues at national/international levels through involvement with networks and coalitions.

What is Local Advocacy?

Advocacy has been defined as pleading in support of others or speaking for those who are powerless to speak for themselves. Advocacy for orphans and other vulnerable children at local level might take a number of forms including:

• Providing training about the rights of children, in general and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular. This training might be provided to community-based volunteers working with orphans and other vulnerable children and the children themselves.
• Being aware of and focusing on children at particular risk.
• Being careful to avoid terms which reinforce stigma, such as AIDS orphans.
• Using the law to protect the rights of children and young people, for example on inheritance of property.
• Assisting children to get important documents, such as birth certificates.
• Representing children's interests in a variety of ways, including to social workers, the police, courts, community leaders and to schools.
• Assisting in a variety of ways to ensure that children and young people gain access to important services, such as health and education.
• Using the media to disseminate information.
• Linking to networks to participate in national and international advocacy.

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