Download - Campaigning Definition: To exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end
Campaigning basics
Campaigning requires 3 basic elements
An identified problem An identified solution The political will to change matters
A campaigning quiz
Q. Why do we campaign?
Q. Name some campaigns? (Think historically and recently, think globally and locally)
Q. What makes a campaign successful? (Name the ingredients)
1. We campaign for social justice
Like slavery and apartheid,poverty is not natural.
It is man-made and it can be overcome and
eradicated by the actions of human beings”
Nelson Mandela Feb 3, 2005
Name some campaigns:
Historical Civil Rights / Anti-Apartheid/ Suffragettes/
Labour Rights
More Recent Drop The Debt/ Make Poverty History/
No Sweat / Women’s Reproductive Rights
Successful campaigns usually have
- Moral outrage. An identified wrong that needs fixing
- Clear demands. - A strong and clear message - Good spokespeople (eg. Nelson Mandela,
Martin Luther King, etc)- An identifiable target (a villian). - Public support
Campaigning
Involves speaking up, drawing the community’s attention to an issue and directing decision-makers to a solution
Involves a series of actions, events,
stunts, reports, all aimed at achieving change.
Know The Issue
How can you advocated for change if you don’t know what you are talking about?
A good campaigner will take the time to learn about an issue. Note – you don’t have to be an expert, but you do need to know the important core messages.
A good campaign is well-researched.
Tough Issues to Understand
Many of the issues Oxfam deals with are complicated eg. trade rules, patent rights, structural adjustment, etc.
That is why we rely on good background information, solid research and articulated solutions.
The Human Story
Many people have a hard time understanding Third World Debt but most understand that all children should have access to a basic
education.
Yet they are related.
DEBT and SCHOOLS
Millions of children are deniedtheir right to an education
Because poor countries are spending more on debt repayments than they are on education
for childrenIN BRIEF
Emphasize the human story.
SMART Campaigning
A good campaign is a SMART campaign. Your objectives should be
Specific Manageable Achievable
Results oriented Time bound
The SMART Quiz
S – Specific -What is your specific ask? What do you want people to do?
M– Manageable – Do you have the necessary resources to make this campaign succeed.
A – Achievable – Is your goal or demand achievable? How realistic is your goal?
R - Results oriented – What results are you aiming for? How will you measure success?
T – Time bound – When do you expect your campaign to end? Is there a pre-determined end date that you can aim for? (eg. WTO or World Band meetings).
The 7 Cs of campaigning
Campaigning requires you are
Clear about your goal,
Concise and Consistent with your messaging
as well as Compelling
Creative Comprehensive and Credible.
SWOT analysis
Before you venture into a campaign one should do an organizational and environmental scan.
Strengths and Weaknesses help you
measure internal factors. Opportunities and Threats help you
determine external factors.
What Makes A Campaign Effective?
Identify what needs to change. What are you aiming to achieve? You can list short-term to long-term goals.
Good research – proof of argument. Know your issue. Articulated policy objectives – What specifically needs to
change. Articulated action – Given the desired goal what is you want
people to do? Sign a petition, contact their MP, write a letter, etc. Be clear.
Target or villain. Who needs to change or who is it that can effect the change.
Action plan – What is your strategy? How are you going to win this change? Popular mobilization/ media strategy/ stunts/ speakers tours/ etc