OSCE Office: Boosting NGOs' advocacy skills is essential for democratic process in Azerbaijan

BAKU, 8 July 2004 - Campaigning techniques, lobbying and negotiation skills are the key components of a training course launched today by the OSCE Office in Baku.

The project, aimed at building the capacity of non-governmental organizations (NGO) to conduct public advocacy campaigns in matters of public interest, is part of the Office's Capacity Building Programme for NGOs.

"Unfortunately, public advocacy in Azerbaijan is very often seen as partisan politics, instead of the legitimate role of NGOs to contribute to the improvement of Azerbaijan society for everyone," said Branislav Solovic, the OSCE Office's Human Dimension Officer.

"We believe that being able to conduct public advocacy campaigns, represent citizens' interests and defend their rights will help to make NGOs sustainable in the long run," he said.

"This training will provide a shortcut to improve our effectiveness," said Fidan Godjamanly, one of the training participants, representing the Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, an NGO based in Baku. "This is an opportunity for us to get as much knowledge and information as possible in order to be effective in influencing local policies and solving problems at local level."

The project has been implemented in co-operation with Slovak NGOs, the Center for Environmental Public Advocacy and the Citizen and Democracy Association, which have developed a special curriculum addressing the needs of Azerbaijani NGOs.

During a week-long training course, over 30 participants, representing NGOs which deal with human rights, environmental and social issues, will become familiar with the practical aspects of campaigning, lobbying, negotiation techniques, petition writing, working with the media, mobilizing people, as well as strategic planning of campaigns.