A New Weave of Power, People and Politics

Lisa Veneklasen & Valerie Miller

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Abstract

The guide gives “a new weave” to a number of important issues, and in so doing makes a significant contribution to the growing international literature on citizen participation and advocacy. First, while it offers concrete strategies and tools for citizen participation and advocacy, it locates them in the broader debates on the meanings of citizenship and democracy. At a time when many political institutions around the world are facing a crisis of legitimacy, as models of democracy and representation are re-examined, this approach challenges us to continue to construct new forms of citizenship, based on popular knowledge and respect for differences, in diverse contexts. Second, at a time when there is increased talk of concepts such as a “rights-based approach” to development, “participation” and “good governance,” this manual illustrates how better to understand what these concepts might mean in practice, based on peoples’ own knowledge and experiences, as well as by showing how in real life they must be integrated with one another. Third, the guide grows specifically out of the authors’ particular concerns and experiences in the areas of gender and women’s political participation. On the basis of this work, it speaks strongly to concerns for issues of inclusion, respect for differences and identities, and the need to address underlying attitudes and values – concerns which often get shortshrift
in the focus on organizing campaigns, winning issues and changing policies. A New Weave has been needed for a long time.

Commendations

“Excellent material for activists everywhere. The Guide combines very practical tools with conceptual discussions that encourage people to contextualize and reflect critically on their own experience. Its advocacy approach is integrated – not merely a technical exercise of lobbying but a broader process that includes and draws on lessons of social and political struggle.”
PATRICIA ARDON, Regional Representative for Central America, CEDPA

“A very comprehensive guide book for activists. It helps people who work at different levels understand advocacy in a broader context – dealing with different kinds of power – rather than only policy advocacy. A solid blend of theory, frameworks and field experiences make for easy adaptation to the local context of users.”
NANI ZULMINARNI, Asia South Pacific Bureau of Adult Education (ASPBAE) and PPSW, Indonesia

About the editors

Lisa VeneKlasen is Executive Director & Co-Founder of Just Associates, an international advocacy and learning organization. She has worked closely with dozens of NGOs, social movements and grassroots groups on people-centered advocacy and advocacy training. She has a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Dr Valerie Miller is Senior Advisor & Co-Founder of Just Associates. She was formlery Policy Advocacy Director at Oxfam America and Director of Policy and Exchange Programs at the Institute for Development Research. She has a doctorate in adult education.

Table of contents

Introduction 
Who is the Action Guide for? 
What Is the Guide’s Approach to Advocacy? 
Conceptual and Experiential Sources for the Action Guide
Navigating the Action Guide 
Navigating the Action Guide: Tips for Users

Reviews

The guide is a necessary addition to any reading list for staff working on advocacy in field offices, policy departments, and with partner organisations...New Weave is one of the best available guides providing an overview of the advocacy process as well as concrete recommendations for implementation.

Monday Developments 2007

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