CDWS holds advocacy training |21 June 2018

Representatives from various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including the Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (Ceps), gathered at Care House yesterday morning to learn more about how to carry out advocacy work in their own field.

The workshop was organised by the Citizens Democracy Watch (Seychelles) (CDWS) and facilitated by Dr Lex Paulson, head of International Projects of Sciences Po - Paris. The theme was ‘Advocacy & mobilization: winning strategies’.

Talking about advocacy itself, Mr Paulson, an American, said it is about raising one’s voice to influence power on behalf of a cause.

“It’s not just talking but using your voice to influence power. Who has the power? It’s not just the politicians. It is everyone as it’s about the ways you communicate to the broad public; about how you come up with messages that stick in the mind and about lobbying –  and how to use that time to get what you want,” he said.

Mr Paulson gave an example of the advocacy work he undertook in the presidential campaigns of former American President Barack Obama. He said it was not just a done thing on television and in rallies. It was a community organising work where face to face advocacy was the norm of the day and which in the end made tangible changes in people’s lives in the community.

He said Obama became president twice because he empowered the community by mobilising people.
“We were not just passing out flyers but also passing on the message. We were building teams. Face to face advocacy is more successful even in this modern day and age of technology,” he said.

Explaining what makes a good leader, Mr Paulson said it’s not about the number of qualifications and titles one has on paper. He says everyone can be a leader as long as the person has a certain attribute.

“Leadership is what you do. Leadership is a practice,” he said.
Mr Paulson will be conducting more workshops with other targeted groups like election observers and the media and democracy.

Another session was also held yesterday afternoon with media practitioners such as the Association of Media Practitioners (AMPS), the Seychelles Media Commission and journalists. Other targeted groups like political leaders are also on the agenda.