4- PICS

1- WORD
EMPOWERMENT
COMMUNITY
ADVOCACY
PROBLEM
 STRATEGIES OF EMPOWERMENT,
ADVOCACY FOR COMMUNITY
ACTION INITIATIVES AND THE
IMPORTANCE OF COMMITMENT AND
ACTION TOWARDS PARTICIPATORY
DEVELOPMENT
Advocating and participating for A cause is somewhat gratifying
because everyone who is involved in that particular project being
implemented in A community feels good knowing that he or she is
part of the success of something that brings benefit to the
community.
WHAT IS ADVOCACY?

Before direct action comes planning, and before planning comes an

understanding of what needs to be put in plan. So first, here's A reminder of
what advocacy is (as well as what it's not).
- An activity by an individual or group that aims to influence decisions
within political, economic, and social institutions.
- The act of speaking on the behalf of or in support of another
person, place, or thing.
- An active promotion of A cause or principle
- Involves actions that lead to selected goals
- One of the many possible strategies, or ways to approach A problem
- Can be used as part of A community initiative, nested in with other
components.
- Does not necessarily involve confrontation or conflict
Some examples may help clarify just what advocacy is: •
you join a group that helps build houses for the poor--
that's wonderful, but it's not advocacy (it's service) • you
organize and agitate to get a proportion of apartments in a
new development designated as low to moderate income
housing - that's advocacy • you spend your saturdays
helping sort out goods at the recycling center - that's not
advocacy (it's service) you heard that land used for the
recycling center is going to be closed down and you band
together with many others to get the city to preserve this
site, or find you a new one. Some of you even think about
blocking the bulldozers, if necessary. That's advocacy.
Empowerment and advocacy empowerment and advocacy are
social democratic practices that enable people to overcome
barriers and contribute focus on social justice. They enable social
workers to help give people changes to better understand and
hence, experience a better quality of life. Empowerment helps its
client make better decisions and control their own lives by
reducing social or personal barriers, increase the ability to use
their own power, and transfer power to people who lack it.
Advocacy seeks to better represent the interests of clients with
limited power to powerful individuals and social structures.
At this time, empowerment ideas are being displaced in their
importance by the growth in the concept of advocacy although
both areas are relevant to social work. Empowerment strategies
that will foster personal growth 1. Positivity – positive attitude is
of great importance in empowerment strategies. Negative energy
will not only slow your growth but will also affect performance 6
2. Self - confidence – believing in yourself and in your
capabilities is the only way for you to at least reach the
unreachable 3. Meditation – meditating daily will help you
relieve your brain of all chaos and insecurities. 4. The people
around you – it is very important to surround yourself with
people who are positive and encouraging. 5. Priorities - you will
feel empowered only when your head and your objectives are in
the right place. Principles of community action
Principles of community action 1. Opens doors and leads the way –
providing access to the opportunities people need to improve their
lives 2. Turns hope into reality – identifying the needs of the entire
community, collaborating with others, and taking action to improve
life for everyone in the community 3. Empathize - understanding and
sharing the feelings with the group 4. Treats people with respect –
treating others the way we want to be treated 5. Says “yes” ---- if we
do not provide the needed service, we link you to those who do 6.
Gives a voice to the poor ---seeking to make society more flexible
and responsive to the needs of the poor 7. Mirrors the diversity of
our communities – the society includes low- income people, local
public officials, business and community groups task 3: make a
particular campaign/advocacy that will be beneficial to empower
your local the community. Make sure that the campaign / advocacy
that you are going to make is applicable in your own locality. Use
long bondpaper. Format: 1. Name of your campaign/ advocacy 2.
Specific goals of your campaign / advocacy 3. Specific beneficiaries
4. Steps to implement the campaign / advocacy rubric criteria
description poin
Task 4: Individual School-based situation: If you will be given
the chance to be one of the student leaders in your school, what
will be the changes that you want to advocate? And why?