link with creating a positive policy environment --- Thanks Chris and Jean-Michel - that's helpful. I think there is a link between public advocacy and creating a positive policy environment. Advocacy can be quite a "soft" process itself eg through the arts, music, presentation of vulnerability, promoting awareness and discussion rather than more ardent campaigning. This can increase the political space for decisions to be made which might not at first seem politically popular eg because they cost money eg for asylum seekers to have the right to work which is not allowed in some countries. Increased public awareness of the potential benefits of a policy change to both the vulnerable person but possibly more widely can increase the interest of a policy or power holder to change.

Source author: Teresa Hanley thanley7@gmail.com