Campaigning is the process of mobilising people to join together to take action to challenge the powerful to make decisions to help benefit, not harm, the powerless.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” Proverbs 31:8
Why campaign?
It’s clear from the Bible that God has a heart for the powerless and most vulnerable. As a movement rooted in the Christian faith and committed to social justice many of us feel called, as individuals and SCM groups, to put our faith into practice through campaigning and taking action on issues of injustice.
Does it work?
Yes! History is littered with examples of popular pressure making a difference – such as the abolition of the slave trade and women getting the vote in the UK. More recently, in 2005, 8 million people in the UK, alongside millions more around the world, joined the call to MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY. World leaders responded with important new commitments on trade, aid and debt. SCMers have been involved in climate change campaigning through the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, and have drawn attention to issues of homelessness and sex trafficking. Closer to home, recently some SCMers were involved in a campaign to stop Sheffield University terminating its Biblical Studies BA course, and Southampton SCMers have been campaigning to save their chaplain’s post.
How can we campaign?
There are two main ways in which you or your group can get involved: supporting an existing campaign or running your own campaign. Before you start, think about which
issues you are passionate about. Are you more interested in a campaign that tackles local, national or international issues?
Supporting an existing campign
There are many campaigns you could support and different ways you can get involved. A great way to start is organising activities for particular days such as Homelessness Sunday, One World Week and Fairtrade Fortnight, or by collaborating with another student campaigning group on campus. A number of suggested organisations and campaigns are listed below:
- Amnesty International (www.amnesty.org.uk)
- Christian Aid (www.christian-aid.org.uk)
- Campaign against Arms Trade (www.caat.org.uk)
- Christian Ecology Link (www.christian-ecology.org.uk)
- Church Action on Poverty (www.church-poverty.org.uk)
- Jubilee Debt Campaign (www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk)
- People and Planet (www.peopleandplanet.org)
- Speak (www.speak.org.uk)
- Fellowship of Reconciliation (www.for.og.uk)
Running your own campaign
Different campaigning methods will be more appropriate for particular issues. Campaigning can involve writing letters to politicians, signing petitions, lobbying, marches, boycotts, sit-ins, demonstrations, prayer vigils, publicity stunts, media work or through art and drama.
Speak truth to power
Different campaigning methods will be more appropriate for particular issues. Campaigning can involve writing letters to politicians, signing petitions, lobbying, marches, boycotts, sit-ins, demonstrations, prayer vigils, publicity stunts, media work or through art and drama.
Be clear and set targets
Be clear about the what, why and who of your campaign. Set realistic targets – it will keep you motivated and help you to keep track of your achievements. Check that your targets are SMART:
Specific: Are your objectives as clear as possible?
Measurable: How will you know how successful you have been?
Achievable: Are your targets achievable?
Resourced: Do you have the resources?
Timed: Do you know what the time lines are? Have you set deadlines?
Involve people
Get as many people involved as possible. Delegate tasks and make sure people are clear about their roles. These roles can be time consuming like co-ordinating an action or small and quick, like flyering or putting up posters. Make alliances with other groups on campus and build up a network of contacts.
Get the word out
When you’re planning an action make sure the student, local and national (!) press know about it. You can usually find contact details on websites of newspapers and radio stations. Write a simple press release about your campaign. Contact the SCM office if you want training in working with the media or writing press releases.
Keep it simple
Keep your rhetoric simple. When you are making your case, whether in person or in writing, three clear arguments is about right. If you are talking to your MP, rehearse what you want to say. Illustrate your point using statistics and case studies.
Celebrate
Make sure that you celebrate your successes – throw a party and thank everyone who has been involved! If things didn’t quite work out, evaluate and try again.
Resources: guidelines
- www.christianaid.org.uk : Downloadable resources on lobbying and writing press releases, and a discussion resource called Sofa Sessions to inspire your group to take action on issues like climate change.
- www.campaigncentral.org.uk : Tons of resources for campaigners.
- SCM’s campaigns group can give you support and ideas for local campaigning. You can also join the group to get involved with planning and running national SCM campaigns. Email campaigns@movement.org.uk for more info