Advocacy is:
'Seeking with, and on behalf of, the poor to address the underlying causes of poverty, bring justice and support good development through influencing the policies and practices of the powerful.
Tearfund views advocacy as part of its mission to bring good news to the poor, motivated by the compassion of Christ.'
Advocacy complements other aspects of Tearfund’s work as it:
- tackles root causes of poverty and injustice and brings long-term change
- sees people as agents of change in their own communities
- can help to generate more resources for other development work
- can change power structures and systems of injustice.
This requires an integrated approach, combining research, lobbying, campaigning, prayer, networking, awareness raising and media work - working with and in support of Tearfund partners and grappling with major global issues that cause poverty.
Advocacy, speaking to the powerful on behalf of the powerless, is firmly rooted in the Bible, and is based on God's commitment to justice:
‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.’ (Proverbs 31:8-9)