‘Advocacy' is a set of coordinated activities (ideally contributing to a broader strategy) that seeks to ensure the protection of persons who are of concern to UNHCR by promoting changes that bring policy, practice or law into line with international standards. UNHCR and its partners undertake advocacy of various kinds, including media campaigns, public speaking, commissioning and publishing research, and lobbying. In emergencies, (evidence-based) advocacy plays a vital role in efforts to influence decision makers and stakeholders to adopt practices and policies that will protect refugees, internally displaced people, stateless persons and other affected populations. It is and should remain a central element of comprehensive protection and solution strategies.
Combined strategically with other protection activities (information dissemination, monitoring, negotiation), advocacy can help to transform attitudes, systems and structures that put populations of concern at risk. Advocacy messages must have clear objectives and target audiences.
UNHCR (0). Emergency Handbook Advocacy in Emergencies UNHCR
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