What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is a major component of our work at Youth Advocate Program International. An “advocate”, simply defined, speaks or writes on behalf of an individual or a cause, defending or maintaining a position on an issue. At YAP International, we do this through various means, directly (through our various programs) and indirectly (by encouraging others to become their own best advocates).
Advocacy is essential for:
- achieving policy influence
- developing a central set of values
- collaborating to share information
- improving effectiveness and impact
- generating better political strategies
- moving beyond single NGOs to networks
- strengthening democratization and civil society
- framing issues to create clarity and attract attention
Some of the ways in which we advocate:
- writing/distributing our books on nine child victimization and exploitation issue areas
- participating on numerous committees and coalitions to shape strategy planning
- developing and implementing national and international awareness campaigns
- presenting lectures and seminars to groups and associations on child issues
- consulting with agencies and organization on child rights and welfare issues
- building networks of partners and sharing materials and resources
- promoting child issues and lobbying internationally
Our Advocacy Issue Areas
For issue specific information on our advocacy efforts, click any of the issue areas listed the images on our homepage and read our issue booklets and reports.
Advocacy: Committees/Coalitions
The following is a current list of the national and international committees/coalitions on which we serve. We are also in the process of developing additional relationships to expand our efforts in providing feedback, sharing information, serving as advisors, assisting with program development, supporting campaigns, and offering our general assistance upon request, and as needed.
As a result of our knowledge and expertise, we are often asked to help organizations and agencies to assist them in strategy development, planning, and general consultation. – for more information, please contact us.
Click the right arrow on the boxes below to see lists of organizations we are currently working with or have worked with in the past.
Past Service on Committees/Campaigns
- Child Labor Coalition (CLC)
- National/International Legislation Sub-committee
- Department of Labor (OSHA), Teen Worker Editorial Board
- Global Campaign on Education (GCE)
- International Advisory Committee to the Child Welfare League of America
- International Advisory Committee to the Fair Labor Association
- International Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers (UK)
- International Initiative against the Trafficking of Children *
- Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Coalition
- NGO Committee on UNICEF – NGO Global Forum
- Orphans and Vulnerable Children Taskforce
- U.N. Study on Violence against Children – North America Consultation Committee *
- U.S. Campaign against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children *
- U.S. Campaign for the Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child *
- Executive Steering Committee (as Committee Chair)
- Education and Research Committee
- Youth Participation Committee *
- U.S. Campaign to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers *
(* co-founding member)
YAP International Partners List
NGO Committee on UNICEF – Global Forum
YAP International was accepted to the NGO Committee on UNICEF. This status allows participation in UNICEF activities, and a voice and influence on issues affecting children worldwide. This new consultative status at UNICEF provides us with an outstanding opportunity to work alongside the most influencial child advocacy and welfare organizations to develop goals, strategies, and implement new plans around the world. We have actively participated in the NGO Committee’s Working Groups on the issues of Child Protection, Education, Girls, Child Development, and HIV/AIDS.
Created in 1952 the NGO Committee on UNICEF is a worldwide network of international NGOs that work on behalf of children in more than 110 countries. UNICEF is the United Nations organization whose primary purpose is to work in the interest of children, and also provides operating funds for numerous child protection projects. The NGO Committee currently consists of 100 NGOs, and provides a forum for substantive discussion about UNICEF policies, programs, and child-related issues. It is also dedicated to encouraging discussion and cooperation among NGOs at all levels.
The NGO Committee is based in New York and Geneva and there is an elected Board. The Board consists of a president, vice president, treasurer, regional and at-large representatives, and working group chairs.