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Lobby and Advocacy

 

Prisma seeks to let a clear Christian voice on cooperation in development and related specific themes be heard in politics and government. Our lobby is mainly focused on the Dutch parliament, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our own constituency and the wider public.

Prisma tries to influence the policies by her own lobbyist but also through memberships of different lobbynetworks where Prisma is cooperating with others on certain themes when there is agreement on the main issues.

Most publications in the area of lobbying are in Dutch.

Themes

Prisma is active with lobby in the following area's:

  • The role and the importance of religion, churches, Faith Based Organisations (FBO's) and religious leaders in development work, in particular in the area of Hiv&Aids.
  • Prisma draws attention to vulnerable people who risk marginalization; like orphans and vulnerable children, people with an handicap, including those who are living with HIV and Aids, and women .
  • SRHR, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Within this theme, Prisma is drawing attention to the role religious leaders and religion can play. Prisma emphasizes a.o. the importance of information sharing, dialogue between men and women, family planning, sexual education for youth and life style change.
  • Prisma is also active in corporate lobby. Prisma participate in the debate about the usefulness of development work, the debate on the budgets cuts, the debate about the reform of development aid and the importance of the civil society.

Activities

The lobby section is undertaking the following activities:

  • Networking with politicians and governments officials.
  • Participating in several relevant lobbynetworks
  • Anticipating on the political agenda. E.g. Prisma is reacting on policy notes and the year budgets.
  • Prisma is also visiting conferences, congress and other important meetings to stay informed and to represent the members of Prisma.
  • Prisma is also coordinating lobbyactivities and positions between Prismamembers. Prisma is always looking for cooperation opportunities within and outside the ICCO-alliance to strengthen the lobby.
  • Prisma contributes to the public debate by writing editorials.
  • Prisma represent interest of her members.

Networks Prisma is participating:

  • Better Care Network Netherlands, BCN, (vulnerable children)
  • Children Affected By Aids workgroup, CABA
  • Dutch Coalition on Disability and Development network, DCDD, (people with an handicap)
  • Michanetwork (justice and sustainability)
  • Partos (interest Group for development aid organizations)
  • Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, EAA, (international network of churches and church related organizations who lobby together on HIV and AIDS and foodsecurity)
  • Human Resources for Health alliance, HRH, (shortage of healthpeople)

Prisma is working together with the following networks, without being a member:

  • Global Campaign for Education, GCE, (education)
  • EU-Christian Organisation in Relief and Development , EU Cord, (European network of Christian organizations)