Advocacy? Time to learn!

100 years ago when I was in university there was a letter-writing party for Amnesty International.  I heard about it happening on campus and thought about going, but in the end I didn't attend.  I didn't write those letters regarding political prisoners and refugees stuck in dangerous places and human rights abuses.  I was busy growing up and thinking about me.  And probably exams, boys and other things.  I'm not going to be too hard on myself here, but as I think back, I wish I had written.  I wish I'd begun to learn about advocacy back when I was 19, rather than starting to think about it now, in my 40's.  

But here I am! Taking a deep breath and thinking it's time to learn how to speak for the trees (that's a Lorax reference, in case you're wondering.)

There are a few reasons why this has come to the fore for me, but the biggest one is the realisation that although it's important for me to clean up my personal act around climate, it's equally or more important to join the shout/push/shove for our leaders to be brave, make big decisions and turn this massive ship around.  I don't want to be that last little Who in Whoville who is refusing to chant "We are here!" (another Dr. Suess reference- Horton Hears a Who, sorry!)

So now I need to learn to raise my voice, what to raise it about and when, where, and why!  

 Some of you may be old hats at this - please send some wisdom our way!   Some of you may feel as green about it as I do - let's learn together!  Some may feel jaded and hopeless after years of lobbying - don't discourage us, but lean your shoulder in where you still feel hope and a spark and let us take our turn!

My first efforts have been letter writing.   Try this on for size and get curious with me.  And let us know how it went/felt, etc.  In upcoming posts I will share some thoughts about the "why" of advocacy.  And maybe we'll get some good wisdom on the "how!"

Small steps!

Here are 2 campaigns to get behind today: 

1. Faith in the Declaration is a site dedicated to helping faith communities get behind the implementation of UNDRIP (UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples).  Advocate here!

2. Some of you have done this one already (Hooray, we're getting started!) - For the Love of Creation has a challenge called Faith In Action where you make a personal pledge to reduce household emissions, then send letters to a few different ministries requesting action on Emissions, Mitigation and Indigenous Rights.

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