How we work
The Rights based approach (RBA) facilitates us to achieve a positive transformation of power relations among the various development actors that we engage with. Through the practice, we can blur the distinction between human rights and economic development. There are two stakeholder groups in rights-based development—the rights holders (who do not experience full rights) and the duty bearers (the institutions obligated to fulfil the holders’ rights). Rights-based approaches aim at strengthening the capacity of duty bearers and empower the rights holders. RBAs work in practice and the human rights principles that play particularly important roles in implementation include (a) participation and inclusion, (b) non-discrimination and equality, and (c) accountability. It also enables players in advocacy to use legal instruments in defense of groups of people who are poor, discriminated against or marginalised and provides new avenues for providing help to vulnerable groups.
In programming terms therefore, the RBA impinges on the nature of communications for impact on right holders ((empowerment) and duty bearers (policy influence). This means a two-pronged communications strategy. Equally, the nature of Research and analysis must reflect the position of both the duty bearers and rights holders. But there is a fine line that will always need to be drawn to ensure that the appropriate level of effort directed at both spaces results in impact.
Research and Policy Analysis (based on research) are fundamental to the legitimacy of AFRODAD work. Therefore, during the current strategic plan 2021-2025 and beyond, we will produce high quality research and other publications that will offer solid policy analysis and recommendations on the debt ecosystem, in African countries.
AFRODAD’s policy influencing is undertaken to impact decision making or to change a policy that is not serving African peoples’ interests. This approach recognizes that a change in policy is essential in order to bring about lasting change in the lives of disadvantaged people. It is not enough to have relevant programmes, if the foundational policies are not supportive of the change that any community or government is trying to make. Thus, the policy agenda is achieved by AFRODAD creating the consciousness of policy issues that affects its constituents as well as providing technical support to different stakeholders on how to engage to demand for favorable policy outcomes.
AFRODAD seeks to demonstrate to decision-makers that members of the public, voters and consumers are concerned about the issue of unstainable public debt. Campaigning also educates the public about the organisation’s issue and motivates them to act in support of the change. In the social and economic development context, advocacy aims to create or change policies, laws, regulations, distribution of resources or other decisions that affect people’s lives and to ensure that such decisions lead to implementation.
AFRODAD shall thus initiate and implement targeted campaigns to influence governments and the public on pertinent issues under the organisational area of work. AFRODAD has supported various campaigns over time, and this is welcome, but going forward there will be campaigns initiated by AFRODAD and driven by various network members at national and regional levels.
The main aim of these campaigns will be to advocate for pro‐poor policies and practices by African governments, in line with an organisational thematic focus. The research will inform the type of campaign to undertake and favourable timing to do so. AFRODAD will raise champions identified from journalists it has been training, social activists as well as other network members from civil society and faith-based organisations as well as members of parliament.
AFRODAD believes that the challenges of poverty cannot be achieved by one organization or actor, hence, its value in working in a collaborative manner with other organisations in addressing debt issues. This value is further encouraged among national organisations to aim at greater change by being collaborative with others, which makes it easier to strategise especially on policy influencing matters. AFRODAD, as a coordinator of the debt network in Sub Sahara Africa is able to advance its influence at national levels, among RECs and even globally on behalf of the continent players.
AFRODAD will need to invest in increasing the ability and confidence of stakeholders to make choices and decisions that are in line with prudent debt management for sustainable development. Journalists, citizens, CSOs, MPs, partners, and members (should AFRODAD become a membership-based network) will be equipped with information, tools, and resources in line with specific identified needs; to enable them to amplify AFRODAD’s message. At times people or groups do not know that there is a problem (they need clear information); or at times they know there is a problem, but they do not know what to do to solve them (they need guidance and a clear call to action); and others know the problem and required action, but they lack resources (they need financial and other tools to act). We will be successful, when we build our stakeholders’ capacity to ably join us to influence African governments towards policies that work for citizens.
