Value of Social Justice Advocacy
We found that the majority of groups (including civil servants, politicians, general public, trade unions and the media) recognised that community and voluntary sector advocacy work has a role to play in democratic society. While some believed the role was specific to service provision, others believed that advocacy work had a distinct role to play in policy development. Some objectives were well understood, others less so and some simply did not arise in conversations.
- The role of community and voluntary social justice advocacy in enabling minority views to be heard and in providing ‘ground truth’ to government are clearly and widely valued.
- The role of the sector in mobilising citizens, improving policies and providing expertise in contrast were valued by some policy-makers, trade unions, the sector and those experiencing the issues, but less clear and less valued by the general public and the media.
- The roles of the sector in providing a longer term perspective, monitoring implementation and enforcement and providing a channel of communication from government to the people and vice versa did not feature in discussions outside of the sector and those experiencing the issues.
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Table 4.1 The value placed on community and voluntary sector social justice advocacy by different groups
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Social justice advocacy objectives (Harvey 2013) |
Policy makers and influencers (including civil servants and politicians) |
The general public |
Trade Unions |
The media |
People experiencing the issues |
The community and voluntary sector |
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1. Mobilise citizens and channel participation |
Yes, assuming the group is representative |
This was not explored with/by this group
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Yes, it was noted that this is also a role of the Trade Unions |
There was a lack of clarity about the overall purpose of the sector |
Yes but needs to be resourced to do this effectively) |
Yes, it requires a clear connection to the excluded group/issue. |
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2. Improve policies |
Yes, assuming they have a sufficient understanding of the policy making processes |
Yes, but need to ensure to maintain independence |
Yes, this is a key part of the work for many groups. |
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3. Provide expertise |
Yes, focused research can be very useful |
Yes |
Yes |
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4. Promote a longer-term perspective |
This was not highlighted by this group |
This was not explored with/by this group |
Yes, but this is very difficult give the precariousness of funding and staff contracts. |
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5. Act as watchdogs of accountability improving the accountability of government |
This was highlighted by some members of this group and not others |
Yes |
This was not explored with/by this group |
Yes they could do this…. but have a lot of issues to address before they could be taken seriously in this role (e.g. salary levels; ‘insider/elite’ status; lack of independence, etc.) |
Yes, but need enhanced levels of resources to be able to do this effectively |
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6. Enable minority views to be heard that might otherwise be overlooked |
Yes, assuming the group is representative) |
Yes for groups that were publically palatable |
Yes in a similar way to unions |
Yes |
Yes but it is hard to get people motivated to speak out and get engaged |
Yes but it is hard to get people motivated to speak out and get engaged |
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7. Provide ‘ground truth’ to government about situations which it would not otherwise be aware |
Yes |
Yes some do this well others are more interested in their own survival |
Yes this is essential |
Yes this is essential |
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8. Provide a channel of communication from government to people and vice versa, including the achievement of buy-in or acquiescence in complex and difficult decisions |
This was seen more as the role of elected representatives |
This was not explored with/by this group |
No the sector should not become a voice for government- they need to maintain their independence |
Not clear that this is their role |
This was not explored with/by this group |
This is not necessarily the role of the sector. The sector needs to maintain its independence |
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9. Play a role in in the monitoring, implementation and enforcement of government decisions (laws, policies, procedures, protocols, strategies) |
This was not explored with/by this group
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This was not explored with/by this group |
This was not explored with/by this group? |
Could do this…. but have a lot of issues to address before they could be taken seriously in this role |
Yes but needs to be resourced to do this. |
Yes but needs to be resourced to do this. |