Richard English

Richard English

Richard is an advocacy and influencing adviser and trainer for Oxfam and has worked on a range of national and global campaigns. He is part of the development team for this course.

Location United Kingdom

Activity

  • Thanks for this question, Rebecca. In the previous exercise we ask people to identify where they think change could happen in two or more of the quadrants and to offer this up for peer review and read what others have done. This exercise asks you to now confirm and record what you think your objectives should be. It looks like you are already clear on...

  • @WendyFourie @KarenWilkins @SébastienFornerod In answer to your question Wendy (which I assume is about organisations operating in the UK, forgive me if not) I am not aware of a database of organisations working acrss different issues. There is the NCVO who could advise and they have a good guide to working on campaigns in collaboration with others. link...

  • @ChrisBorn @NicholasWebber @ColinMcQuistan @DotY @wendy Thanks everyone for the rich discussion of the issues regarding the use of this tool. The starting point is the issue or problem you want to address. This could be a very local one. For instance, you might campaign for your local residential city street to be pedestrianised to improve air quaity and...

  • Hi Davina, wow - I really hope this course will help with your vision of change and what contribution you can make towards it.

  • Hi Lilia, thank you so much for joining us with all your experiences. Please keep sharing your thoughts and I am sure you will gain much from the experiences of others.

  • Hi Ritah, I think you will find the course useful for your change area - but do keep asking the questions and sharing your thoughts on how, as activists, we can make sustainable change happen

  • Amazing response Catherine. Wishing you all the best with this.

  • thanks for sharing these examples Alison and the comments about roadblocks which can be very frustrating. Looking for new opportunities when these situations arise, although often difficult, is something to consider.

  • Couldn't agree more with you both on this

  • Thanks for this feedback Firas and for your time in contributing to the course. We are so glad you have feel you have benefitted from it. Good luck your chamgemaking!

  • Good luck with the facebook page Catherine..this is so positive ...

  • thanks for this Stefanie, great example of legal precedent that can contribute to other opportunites for change

  • @AlisonHill yes great video

  • Thanks for sharing this example in such a clear way Doris

  • Thank you for sharing this challenge and your reflections on what you can do to influence the situation. It feels like a good approach. let us know how it goes.

  • Wow, what a wonderful example Becky. As well as the direct impact of the project I am sure you have been a brilliant role model for others.

  • @GillianNewman This is a very strong "power with" - thank you for sharing

  • @MariaS @CatherineWilliams There is also the concept of power under - explored in this piece on the Politics of Trauma: http://www.traumaandnonviolence.com/files/Power_Under.pdf

  • Yes, we often think of power in relation to politics, hierarchies and economic power, or in the relationships between people. But it can also mean an ability capacity to do something - oneself or with others.

  • @GlenysIhaka Yes, the first steps are sometimes the most difficult and finding the support you need is another. Good luck, I do hope the rest of the course will help you in the task you have set yourself.

  • @RomchaleeK I think your approach of small steps and learning as you go and engaging well with others is very powerful. I would go for the collective wisdom of the group first and foremost.

  • This is a good conversation. I believe we must try to understand the context within which we can to contribute to making change happen. Make some judgements of what can help make change happen drawing on others' and one's own experience, research and knowledge. Join with others in action, Learn by doing and reflect together on what next. We cover these...

  • I like you comment about coordination across different levels, Luis. Its something we cover later in the course.

  • Thanks for your question Wilko. We include this self-reflection exercise so course participants can think about the different aspects of their own identity and lived experience and the different privileges that exist between us all. It has certainly helped me to confront any prejudices I might have and to value diversity as a person working with others to...

  • Thanks for sharing these reflections with the group, Niamh

  • I like your amibition to work more directly with a network or community, Brendan. I'm sure you'll find lots of advice and good experiences in the course and from participants on this.

  • Yes, having a solid evidence base and planning how you are going to use research to influence people is critical. Please do share your experiences of this during the course, Maria.

  • What a great call to action Ernso. Thank you!

  • Thanks for these comments and sharing your experiences, Elizabeth

  • That's great, Ruby. We cover lots on skills, confidence, self-awareness and also on leadership in this course. So I hope you will fing it useful and interesting.

  • Welcome Fatima. I am sure you will gain much from the experiences of others on this course and from the content.

  • Agree. We often make assumptions as to why people might oppose or be apathetic to change. Understanding people's motivations or fear of change and adapting our change strategies and commmunications so we present the positive aspects that the change process brings or ways in which we can mute the opposition can be key in moving things forward.

  • @KevinField That all sounds very positive Kevin. I hope it all goes well.

  • @BirgittaPutters Thank you for this post Birgitta and your reply Bill. I encourage every active or prospective change maker to engage with others to achieve change as it is one of the most powerful things a change maker can do. We deal with this more in later sections of this week and at the end of the course provide links that you can explore. I'll take a...

  • Yes, resistance is a form of activism. Often, activism and campaigning is about stopping bad things happening as well as campaigning for better approaches and responses to the problems we face. In some cases, therefore, one has the right to resist. And there are many ways in which you can do that throuigh non-violent resistance.
    The example of the...

  • Thanks for the comment, Hazel. Yes, absolutely agree - they are not fixed boundaries. The tool is to encourage you to think about where your current sphere of control, influence and concern is. It will change overtime especially as you undertake activities to address your issue.

  • Welcome Ami, I hope you find lots in the course to help you.

  • @KevinField Thanks so much for providing these links, Kevin

  • I like the fact your first one is the ability to listen. This is so important - not only listening to people but also listening to and understanding the context you are facing and what it means for people affected by the issue. Choosing the right strategy and set of activities is a judgement, and you are not always going to get it right. But you can learn...

  • Thanks Kevin, this is some really useful inforamtion. Can you share some links to these examples?

  • Have you thought of setting up an introductory meeting with a few adult women who are interested in the issue and asking them what might motivate them and other adult women to get involved?

  • An important question, Glen. Have you asked them what would help to make them more engaged and empowered?

  • Yes, keep the pressure on in all areas would be my advice. Look for every opportunity to raise your voices with others so they ring clear; collective action and building coalitions for change; and persistent and behind the scenes influencing to chip away at attitudes. They are all important contributions to chnage

  • Thanks for sharing this advice. Kevin. Thinking about how different people respond to and process information in different ways is an important thing to take into account

  • We wish you the very best on the next stage of your journey, Laks. I'm glad you are able to benefit from this course.

  • I really hope that you move from research to action goes well. It appears to me that you have the persistence, courage and passion to make this success. Good luck!

  • That's wonderful to hear. Sofia.

  • I think building a collective leadership approach is the the way to go, Glen. And I know that getting engagement from people who have jobs and family commitments is always a challenge. Adjusting expectations and using staregies to build your local group that recognises these issues will be important. I am glad that you are moving out of your natural comfort...

  • Thanks Sacra, yes, also important to focus on the positive chnages will be for society as a whole as well as the specific people who are most affected be the injustice that you want to chnage

  • Yes, good to focus on getting the laws passed and then to follow up on ensuring they are implemented and monitored. This is where change sometimes falls down.

  • So great to see all these activities and plans being put in place. Very inspiring.

  • Good luck finding your people, Asuncion

  • Sounds like you had a good week! Great to see you planning for March 8th. Its good to have an opportunity in the calendar around which to plan.

  • Thanks for sharing this example from Malaysia and the different tactics being used. Setting up confidential hotlines and mobile apps are also used on this and other issues so thanks for highlighting these

  • Goodness, Caitlin, the self-care issue is really important and a burnt-out leader is not a good role model for others whose self-care approach is also important. So keep working on this!

  • I am really glad you recognised the characteristics and those that you need to work on more. Self-awareness is also an important characterics for activists to focus on.

  • Welcome Jessica, I hope you'll gain much from the examples and experiences of others on this course and can share with others your reflections

  • Great examples of operating across the three areas. What has been the impact of your stories aopproach - do you feel it helps you connect better with people on the issues?

  • Building a strong narrative and using stories can be a powerful way to engage people alongside the facts and figures. I hope this side of your learning goes well.

  • Thanks Bill. I hope you can come back and share yourt reflections on using these tools for your change project.

  • Great example Himanshu - I think engaging with those withing your sphere of influence could lead to more calls for action at the district level - I hope it can lead to that.

  • Thanks for sharing your reflections here, Baraka.

  • Yes - absolutely

  • Very nice example Sacra, thanks for sharing. And I am glad you herard this idea from elsewhere

  • Welcome Delaine. Its great you are bringing your experience into this course. You'll find lots of comments already in place across the weeks so please chip in and I hope you will gain from what others have contributed who are working at the different levels

  • Thanks Sheu Lee. I am so glad you are being informed and inspired by the case studies, exercises and the conversations with other chnage makers.

  • Thanks for the feedback. The tool is one among a number that can be used to help you think through your influencing and campaigning approach. I like the that you have identified the need to work on the narrative of your change proposition

  • This is a great list of people to engage on your campaign in the UK.

  • Great examples of identifying how to respond to people who need to be brought into the solution or change you are seeking. Its tough to influence in these situations but essential to address

  • Yes, continually updating your power "analysis" and influeneing approach as you engage with people and institions and find things out is very important

  • Thanks Vicenta - your sphere of concern around the social and cultural norms is a big long-term challenge. Connecting up with other chnage makers to address this so small incremental change can influence the norms will be something to think about

  • Very clear example Xavier, thanks for sharing

  • Thanks for sharing - have you any examples of what has worked well or areas that you find challenging?

  • Thanks Vicenta, this is good example of appealing to people's values as a way to engage with them on a change issue.

  • But you have written very passionately about the changes you want to see. Passion for change is a very positive attribute for an activist!

  • Thanks for focusing on the need to focus on those who will be negatively impacted by change.

  • Hi Sacra, thanks for talking about the negative types of activism that can pit one part of society against another. Its important to recognise this as we move through the course.

  • Thanks for these comments and for articulating the challenges as you see them. I hope you will gain from the course and the participants on it that will help you address these issues.

  • Hi Mo, I hope you will learn from the course and the participants on the range of ways activists and change makers can help make change happen

  • Hi Yoriko, welcome to the course - do let us know if you need any further information on aspects of the course for your course in February

  • This is a good point to raise. In certain situations it might need to be much higher in the ranking. Individual activists can easily be singled out as we know.

  • Yes, and you may not be the best person or group to engage with them. So, thinking about who you know who could broker the approach is also something to think about.

  • Great example of forming a strong coalition, Caitlin. Thanks for sharing this example.

  • This is an interesting point you raise Birgitta. One's desire to change something is, of course, driven by your own experiences and the events and people that have influenced you. How you can connect your experiences and values with those of the groups and people you are campainging with is an important element of building solidarity and a commen vision.

  • Thanks for sharing your experience here. Its a great example of what you can do in just a few weeks - very inspiration

  • Thanks for your example of invisible power having the potential to be positive. The term is often used to highlight social norms and engrained attitudes within communities or societies that impede positive change and help maintain the status quo. So good to see a positive reading of this form of power.

  • I like your examples of collective power, Laks

  • How fast can you run?

  • Not biased at all in my view. Those who accumulate money and assets have power and influence. The greater the economic inequality in a country the higher the risk that you will get power concentrated in the hands of a few.

  • Great example of those who have power using it to increaase their control or mitigate against a loss of power and what tactics to use to challenge it. Thanks.

  • Thanks Anne-Marie. Yes, there will major obstacles and unpredictable factors and incorporating the need to factor these issues into our thinking and planning is critical if we are going to be successful in achieving change.

  • @PeterB Yes - testing assumptions is absolutely key, Peter. We deal with this towards the end of the course when we ask participants to create their change plan.

  • You are so right - being attuned to what has happened and is happening is pretty essntial if you want to address and influence change

  • @MajedaALSAQQA I'd be interested in your further thoughts and experience on this Majeda

  • Absolutely on working with others - the more you engage with others the more experience, knowledge, thinking and power you have collectively

  • Thanks again N S - great resources to link to

  • Thanks for highlighting this website!

  • @MartaRoca Hi Marta, yes, as Naana says, it is helpful to make your objectives as specific as possible drawing on management, business and organisational practice such as you have described. For this course, however, we are asking people to think through the broad overall change goal and the objectives under this in each of the 4 quadrants. It might be...

  • Great example, Marita, thanks for sharing

  • Thanks for these remarks, Glen. Measuring the impact of change for activism and campaigning can indeed be challenging especially when the change takes time, as in attitude change. We touch on evulation towards the end of this course and there are a range of tools and resouces that deal with this subject.