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Jenny Brown – Senior EU Relations Adviser Christian Aid

12 February 2011

Transformational lobbying

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The plan for today

What is lobbying?

And………

How do you do it?

And then……..

Your turn!

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Views of lobbying……

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But it doesn’t have to be like that!!

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The Christian approach

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

Luke 4:18-19

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Influencing for change…..

Advocacy……. includes a range of activities which organisations or individuals can take to exert pressure for change in a specific policy or behaviour of a government, organisation (e.g. EU) or possibly a single individual. It can be public or private influencing to achieve a change.

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Advocacy…….

Awareness-raising

Lobbying

Campaigning

Media

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Lobbying…………

“Directly persuading decision-makers and influential stakeholders of the importance of your advocacy objectives and convincing them to act accordingly”

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Lobbying………

The message – what needs to change

The targets – who can make the change happen (power analysis)

The methods – conversations, meetings, briefings (choice of style)

The purpose – to make the change happen

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A real life example

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A travel agent’s dream……..

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…….but tax is good!

Tax as development issue

Message – need for transparency in corporate tax reporting and in tax havens

Target – European Commission

Method – conversations, meetings, briefings

Purpose – Tax and Development Communication reflects Christian Aid concerns

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Some top tips for lobbying

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Lobby meetings: before

Know your audience – views, knowledge, what they can do, dynamicsKnow your stuff!Timing – processes, events, other ‘hooks’Agree strategy for meeting – objectives, message, roles, possible compromisesAnticipate difficult questions and plan responsesPrepare briefing

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Lobby meetings: during

Introductions, agree agendaMake the message relevantEmphasise your perspective and expertise Keep it clear, concise, factualProvide evidence Offer examples to illustrateState desired actionAgree specific next steps (and timescale)

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Stating the obvious, maybe, but…

Listen

Ask questions (show an interest)

Show respect

Stay calm!

Don’t bluff

Don’t waste time

Watch your body language

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Lobby meetings: after

Debrief

Write notes

Evaluate

Thank (and summarise main points)

Follow up

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Tips for talking to politicians

You may know more than they do

They have an interest (your vote!) in being polite to you and listening to you

You have a right to talk to them

Cultivate their assistants

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No comment……..

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Your turn!