Campaigning
From ACT GreenGuide
Herewith, some information on getting our views across to those who hold power (eg politicians and large corporations). There are different methods that vary in their effectiveness depending upon time & resources. They include individually written letters; form letters; emailing; petitions; lobbying; telephone conversations; meetings; boycotting; demonstrations; and non-violent direct action (eg. blockading).
At some point most of us will be pissed off about something happening in the world - the Australian environment is in trouble, a hyper-globalising “McWorld” is allowing transnational corporations to accumulate vast profits, and we are led by sycophantic, economic zealots with their own interests at heart. Fortunately, our nation has a proud history of political and environmental activism. In the 1960s, conservation emerged as one of a number a significant worldwide issue. In the 1970s, the NSW branch of Builders’ Labourers’ Federation (BLF) imposed “green bans” on projects threatening the environment, or for other positive reasons, such as the planned demolition of the historical buildings in the Rocks area of Sydney. In 1971, upper-class women fought alongside the BLF to save Kelley’s Bush in Sydney. This struggle resulted in Heritage legislation and the establishment of the Lands and Environment Act.
Also in that year, locals in the area around Nimbin saved Terrania Creek from being dammed. It was the first time that environmentalists had used the court system and won; further, it ensured that environmental-impact studies (EIS) were to be used in sensitive areas.1 In 1984, Tasmania’s Franklin River, was saved from a hydroelectric dam project by mass rallies and a sustained campaign. Since 1984, there have been many campaigns, including the French nucleartesting campaign, the 1993-5 woodchipping campaign, campaigns against the illegal imprisonment of asylum-seekers, and the current global anti-war movement. In recent years there has been a rise in broad activism around multinational institutions such as the World Bank, the WTO, and the IMF. Environmental activists have joined with social justice activists, indigenous peoples, and unionists in broad coalitions. People will not accept the continued downward levelling of environmental, social, human rights and labour standards with benefits going to transnational corporations. We need to continue to fight to convert the global political-economy from exploitation and destruction towards environmental renewal and benefit for all. Good luck with your campaigning! Here are some things you can do.
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Personal visits
Personal lobbying is a tactic with a long history amongst those wishing to influence politicians and those in power, but it can be used when seeking to influence others such as university administrations and academics. The first (and most important) step is to work out your objectives - what it is you want to achieve. Set up a lobby group consisting of four to five people, with two people conducting pre- and post-visit briefings. Allot one member the task of making notes during the meeting for future reference.
When preparing for a meeting make sure you know and rehearse your arguments. Be aware you may need different approaches and arguments when dealing with different people. Practise with each other to help your confidence in speaking with people who may be quite intimidating.
Make an appointment (be prepared to be flexible). Politicians are often very busy and non-sitting days are best, as are the less busy times of the academic year for campus issues. Some politicians prefer an initial letter explaining the visit followed by a phone call.
When meeting, keep in mind that unfortunately some people may judge you by your appearance. The way you present yourself may affect the outcome and a friendly, non-aggressive approach will probably be received a lot more sympathetically. Providing some written information on the background to your concerns will them in remembering you after your visit and may be helpful. Ask the person if they don’t mind notes being taken during the meeting After the visit assess how it went and don’t be disappointed if it didn’t turn out as you thought. Lobbying is only a small part of the campaign. Go over the notes and give everyone a copy and write to the politician/administrator/ academic and remind them of any commitments they may have made during the visit. Most importantly support each other and appreciate the hard work you have all contributed.
Individually written letters
For any letter you write, keep your purpose in mind. For your first letter on an issue stick to only one or two pages of writing so that it doesn’t take too much time and energy to read. Begin your letter with a brief statement of the issue and your position. Write a concise summary and then give reasons why representatives should adopt the policies you recommend. Provide evidence and sources of further information, but avoid including lengthy and detailed docu- mentation which is more relevant to Senate Committee and Environmental Impact Study submissions.
Form letters
Prepared letters provided by concerned groups. Generally, they are less effective than personally written letters, and are better used as a content guide for a personal letter.
Petitions
A way of collecting signatures of those holding certain viewpoints on an issue. Each page of a petition should be headed with a statement on the issue and what views or actions the signatures represent. Most petitions, however, are ignored by politicians unless they are very large, and their reading is merely a formality. Petitions are a good way of generating interest and can be used to get people more involved in a campaign.
Groups
Groups and organisations form to put a case on either a single issue, or a range of issues, (eg Australian Conservation Foundation). There is definitely strength in numbers - having a focused and coordinated group of people can be more effective (eg. Lobbying) than doing it by yourself - but requires many more organisational skills.
Boycotting
A boycott is a decision made by a number of people to not purchase a product or products due to the nature or activities of the company, which may, for instance, be exploiting its workers, destroying the environment, treating animals cruelly. Large boycotts have been run against McDonalds, Nestle, Nike, Shell and many others. A successful boycott, such as that run by Victorian universities in 1997-1998 against Kimberly Clarke, relies on the combined purchasing power of consumers to paralyse a corporation economically and force it to change. Boycotting is by no means a perfect campaign technique, but when it does it can be one of the most effective techniques of corporate change. If you are interested in engaging in a consumer boycott, research the companies first (www.mcspotlight.org & www.corpwatch.org are good places to start). A letter-writing campaign is important so that the company knows why it is being boycotted and what you would like to see changed.
1 One of the fundamental weaknesses EIS is undertaken by the proponent of the development who is almost always the developer. Any problems here?
