About Advocacy
Scripture calls us to "seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." (Isaiah 1.17). Advocacy is one way to achieve this. Advocacy is speaking up for the rights of the vulnerable and oppressed. It recognises that those with power, whether they be governments, businesses, the social 'mainstream', or others, are called to use power not simply to avoid harm but to do good. Advocacy also knows that those with little power can be harmed when the powerful directly abuse them (oppression) and when the powerful simply ignore their interests. Advocates therefore identify ways people are being harmed by the misuse of power and call on the powerful to act justly. Advocacy has proven extremely effective. Through advocacy William Wilberforce and the Clapham Sect brought an end to the Transatlantic slave trade; Martin Luther King and the US Civil Rights movement effected transformation in civil rights for African-Americans; Ghandi led a movement that won independence for India; people power toppled the Filipino dictator Marcos; the Jubilee debt campaign secured tens of billions of dollars in debt relief for poorer countries; Micah Challenge and the Make Poverty History campaign have played a key part in increasing the quality and quantity of the Australian aid program.More...
Bible Studies: A Time to SpeakA four part bible study guide on justice and advocacy. More Info | DownloadFind Your Politicians
Find your representatives in Parliament. More InfoGuide to Using the Media
How to use local media to get your message out. More Info | DownloadGuide to Visiting Politicians
How to visit a politician More Info | DownloadIntroduction to Advocacy
A paper that overviews advocacy, the reasons for advocacy and ways to practise advocacy. More Info | Download