What are some effective strategies for community development through human rights advocacy?

"Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime" this was the first lesson we got as social workers. As professional social workers, it's easy to get affected by the problems we see in a community and assume that our normal is also their normal. Sure, guiding them through participatory approaches to identify optimal resources is relevant but what's truly empowering is for the people to find answers to their questions on their own: it gives a sense of ownership; it gives a sense of purpose; it gives a sense of strength to the values they hold > unlearning certain tenets is also easier when the learning curve is designed by the people themselves

From my experience I gather that the communities are experts of their lived experience and are in a better position to paint a picture of their context and that in itself is a huge resource. This is key because unless context is fully understood the practitioner risks imposing general interventions which do not speak to the situations which they are prescribed for. It’s not a given that interventions which have worked in a certain place will automatically work in other places albeit aiming to counteract the same problem.

Use your tongue to taste the food only till you learn to taste , pick and choose the terms in the correct ways of using in front of the World.. ÀNITA

Desde la estrategia de comunicación con enfoque en derechos humanos, al plantear una campaña siempre es importante preguntarse: ¿Se ha involucrado directamente a las personas o comunidades afectadas por la problemática de derechos humanos en el proceso de creación de la campaña? ¿Se ha buscado su opinión, experiencia o aportes para garantizar que la campaña sea representativa, respetuosa y auténtica en su enfoque?

This stage is can be the most exciting if the practitioner is able to immerse themselves into the the community, understanding its culture and its background. Community meetings and campaigns would do well if the they are informed by the positive attributes which are part of the communities politico-socio-economic fabric. For example, a person charing the meeting should understand cultural mannerisms and taboos even, if any. The best I have come across is when there are meetings and campaigns interspersed with singing in local languages and traditional dancing. And to get the best out of it, the practitioner has to approach this without a judgemental attitude and pre-conceived ideas but with professional curiosity.

Incorporating media, communication, and advocacy into community engagement is pivotal. Utilize targeted messaging through various channels, leverage social media for widespread outreach, and employ storytelling to convey the impact of community involvement. Foster a two-way communication flow, where the community not only receives information but actively contributes through user-generated content. Harness the power of media campaigns to amplify voices, highlight success stories, and address concerns. This synergistic approach ensures a dynamic and inclusive dialogue, enhancing the community's ability to advocate for its needs effectively.

Ever heard the maxim “ Relationships are everything.” ? Relationships are the cogs which make interventions effective and result-oriented. From the onset, a working relationship with the client themselves is the vehicle for change. Relationships, again, are are cornerstone of any robust multi-disciplinary approach which ensures that interventions are not mistakenly replicated, overlooked or applied in silo. Through a multidisciplinary approach a holistic view is gained and watertight solutions are proffered. The multi-disciplinary approach does not only give a holistic view but also ensures that the best possible intervention is made drawing from the expertise of different professionals who are knowledgeable in their fields of practice.