Transcript Changing Policies: An Overview

Changing Policies: An Overview
Overview of Tactics for Changing
Policies
What do we mean by policies?
• Official government policies
• Unofficial government policy
• Policies made by government bureaucracies and
public services
• Policies of foundations and other private funders
• Policies of businesses
• Policies of the media
• Policies adopted by the community as a whole
Why try to change policies?
• It can start a community conversation about
the issues in question
• It is easier in the long run than fighting the
same battles over and over again
• It can change people's minds and attitudes
• It has effects on the next generation
• It is the path to permanent social change
Who should try to change policies?
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Coalitions
Organizations that work with the issue
Community initiatives
Professional groups with interest in the issue
Concerned individuals
When should you try to change
policies?
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Election years
When the issue first arises
When a crisis is reached
When public opinion has reached critical mass
When there is a specific debate about the issue
When new information changes perceptions about
the issue
• When the issue is brought to public attention
How do you change policies?
• Planning
• Preparation
• Personal contact, with those who influence or
change policy
• Positivism
• Participation
• Publicity
• Pulse of the community, understand what citizens
will support