Advocacy

Advocacy is the set of activities by individuals or groups intended to influence decisions within political, economic, and social institutions. It encompasses tactics ranging from grassroots organizing and media campaigns to lobbying, strategic litigation, and coalition-building, and aims to change laws, budgets, institutional practices, and public opinion. Advocacy can include many activities that a person or organization undertakes, including media campaigns, public speaking, commissioning and publishing research. Lobbying is a form of advocacy where a direct approach is made to legislators on a specific issue or specific piece of legislation. Research has started to address how advocacy groups in the United States and Canada are using social media to facilitate civic engagement and collective action.