September 19, 2002 | Read Time: 1 minute
Advocacy for Social Justice: a Global Action and Reflection Guide
by David Cohen, Rosa de la Vega, and Gabrielle Watson
This book chronicles experiences of veteran social advocates around the world, who describe the elements of advocacy, how it can be practiced in diverse settings, and what approaches work.
Case studies describe innovative advocacy strategies, such as how people have organized to combat violence against women in Senegal and human-rights violations in Guatemala—offering stories that “remind us that the ideal is just an ideal, and reality is much messier and complex” writes Gabrielle Watson, co-director of the Centro de Derechos Economicos y Sociales, in Quito, Equador. She illustrates her point by describing challenges facing social-justice advocates, including unifying people, creating organizations not dependent on a single charismatic leader, and learning the rules for effective policy influence.
David Cohen, co-founder of the Advocacy Institute, in Washington, discusses his own experiences as an advocate, drawing from his work with social-justice leaders throughout the world, and offers 12 “lessons” about social-movement advocacy. These include tips for influencing decision-makers and organizing well-rounded and complementary teams of organizers and experts in a social movement.
The book also includes a directory of more than 250 advocacy-support organizations.
Publisher: Kumarian Press, 1294 Blue Hills Avenue, Bloomfield, Conn. 06002; (860) 243-2098 or (800) 289-2664; fax (860) 243-2867; kpbooks@aol.com; http://www.kpbooks.com; 346 pages; $49.95; I.S.B.N. 1-66649-131-9.
