State of independence?
Sector CEOs may paint a rosy picture, but Helen Donohoe, NCVO head of campaigning effectiveness, offers a note of caution along with the congratulations.
There has been no greater time to be a campaigner. Richard Gutch’s piece (Loud & Clear) reflects upon a buoyant and very successful past decade for campaigners.
But is all in the garden quite so rosy? Where are the debates about co-option, about excessive compromise and the lack of conviction within the Labour government of the last 10 years? Shouldn’t we be acutely concerned about the increasing slide towards service delivery at the expense of a true and independent voice?
On reflection, it is perhaps part of our nature to take a cynical and subdued view of what we have achieved. How refreshing it is then to see that, actually, there is much that we have changed, and while there are of campaigners and policy workers alike clearly continues to have a widespread positive impact on many, many lives.
But, alongside this, there is some legitimate cause for caution and concern, and, despite the upbeat messages, the survey of chief executives uncovers a number of these. Chief among them is an acknowledgment that the delivery of changes in practice does not necessarily flow from policy change, and increasing fears for the future of influence in a world in which commissioning and contracting may further shackle the campaigner’s activity and spirit.
Shifting sands
The independence of civil society and its ability to be a genuine voice in the mire of funding concerns is nothing new. What still enormous strides to be made, the work is novel, however, is the financial squeeze, the pending period of national political change, and the continually shifting sands of local politics.
We face the possibility of a national government that is less receptive to the campaigner’s voice than we have become accustomed to. Less receptive, indeed, to the very legitimacy of the charitable act of campaigning. However, it is our job to resist mourning the glory days of the past and to start to think about how we might need to change how we work. What practical action can we take to keep our campaigning strong?
First, we should hold on to our positive mindset. If you look at the changes occurring around us it could be argued that, for a campaigner, times have never been so good; not easy or straightforward, but challenging, invigorating and energising. There is fertile soil for inventive activists.
We know that campaigning and achieving social change are not about cosy agreements any more than they are about contracts and formalities. They are about leadership and people.
Leadership is having the courage of your convictions and the will to say the things that others do not want to hear; not easy when your funding is at stake. So, more importantly, it is about making sure that you facilitate and nurture leadership and voice in others.
Much has been said about the phenomenal presidential campaign of Barack Obama. And one thing stands out above all the talk about technology and the state-of-the-art communication techniques – his campaign was about more than his own leadership talent. Fundamentally, it was about people.
Unapologetically, Obama placed idealism at the heart of his campaign and used it to stir action on a mass scale. The campaign remained confident, positive and inspiring, and was boldly committed to what Obama described as ‘the audacity of hope’. That tone resonates incredibly strongly on a human level.
Throughout the campaign, Obama insisted that the motto ‘respect, empower and include’ was adhered to at all times. People respond to respect.
Through his ability to inspire individuals to speak for themselves, for their own vision and for what change they want to see in their world, Obama circumvented offensive moves on the vulnerable aspects of his candidacy, both personal and political.
His example gives us our most valuable lesson for the future of campaigning and the preservation of our independent voice. We need to look to a future of campaigning that goes beyond the restraints of organisational contracts and service level agreements. As organisations, we are just one form of voice, perhaps a facilitator or conduit. We are merely part of the process that will create a civil society in which individuals will express themselves, even if it is sometimes in a way that we don’t like.
Furthermore, here lies a way forward for addressing concerns about implementation of changes in policy: the person with a disability who raises personal concerns about venues that remain inaccessible after law changes, and then starts a movement for change that cannot be ignored.
Modern digital communication and the legitimacy increasingly given to the ‘user’ voice, both provide unprecedented opportunities for individuals to speak up for themselves. Meanwhile, the changing local landscape of politics, with its increased emphasis on sustainable communities and community empowerment, provides an environment in which those opportunities can flourish.
As Richard Gutch also points out, some of the most innovative, creative and, ultimately, successful campaigning across the sector is already embracing the power of individuals as advocates. Just take a look at the Campaigning Effectiveness Count Me In pages on the NCVO website to learn from the inspirational stories of how other organisations have involved beneficiaries in their campaigns to great effect. One organisation doing this brilliantly is Community Links.
Its campaigns manager Maeve McGoldrick believes that ‘there is simply no better way to demonstrate a case for change and define exactly what that change should be, than through the direct voice of service users or individual people who are directly affected by an issue. It’s not necessarily the easiest or quickest way to campaign, but it is by far the best.’
Voice of experience
Sally Copley, director of policy at YWCA, is another firm believer in the impact that can be made through the voice of experience: ‘I am convinced that it is through the direct voice of young women themselves that we have achieved as much as we have in our policy and campaigning work. When somebody speaks from experience, it is incredibly powerful and even politicians sit up and listen.’
There is no single blueprint for this, but we’ve developed some straightforward guidance that draws on the experience of others. Effective inclusion of stakeholders and beneficiaries in policy work is critical, and our Policy Forum will be hosting an event dedicated to it later this month.
The next 10 years will not see the issue of independence go away. However, it is up to us to adapt to our circumstances, explore innovative techniques and allow our beneficiaries to find their own voice.
