This article reviews a variety of research on policy advocacy by nonprofit human service organizations.  The characteristics and contributions of advocacy are identified, as well as the prevalence and effectiveness of policy advocacy activities.

 

1. How has the definition of advocacy shifted over time?

2. What is the current state of advocacy in nonprofit human service organizations?

3. In what way does dependence on government funding impact advocacy activities?

 

 

Article 2:  Lysack, M. (2015). Effective policy influencing and environmental advocacy: Health, climate change, and phasing out coal. International Social Work, 58 (3). pp. 435-447.

 

This article profiles a policy-influencing alliance of health and environmental non-governmental organizations and explores the role of social work in developing effective policy change for phasing out coal in Alberta. The development of this network, its strategies, challenges, and successes are highlighted with an analysis of the elements of effective policy advocacy as a key social work practice.

 

1. What is the role of collaborating with other agencies when engaging in macro level policy advocacy?  What are some examples of the author’s use of this strategy?

2. How can social workers build the capacity of policy-influencing politicians?

3. What are some communication skills that can be used to mobilize public opinion and action?  How were they used by the author?