Lobbying and implementation (from NGO planning meeting, St Petersburg, June 4-5 2001)

1. The group which worked on “lobbying and implementation” looked first of all the definition of the term ‘lobbying’ itself. There was a discussion on the distinction between lobbying’ and ‘advocacy’ (ongoing protection versus representing the interests of concrete persons in regard to specific legislation). The group came to the conclusion that lobbying is an activity (influence, effect or protection), the result of which is the taking of decisions necessary for NGOs, in this case regarding the improvement of the legal and social status of refugees. These decisions are taken by those people who are targeted by the lobbyists: the government, parliament, civil servants, ministries and government bodies, local authorities and so on.

2. Methods of lobbying were also discussed. Lobbying was classified according to level (local, national, international), but also by the subject of lobbying (adopting new legislation or ratifying agreements, developing mechanisms to implement decisions or agreements, or improving the way laws work in practice).

3. Since lobbying is a form of social activity, and as it is a process, a strategy can be developed to lobby effectively, which is separated into stages. An approximate diagram of such stages is the following: