Economic Justice

Network (EJN)Influencing Key Events:

COP 17 in Durban

How to influence Public Policy?

Used the Conference of Parties (CoP) 17 as an opportunity for faith communities and leaders to influence decisions in Durban

EJN, working with the Christian Councils in Southern Africa, became a strategic partner in campaign launched in March 2011 as, “We Have Faith” (WHF)

We Have Faith Campaign The timing was perfect, South Africa was hosting

the 17th CoP in Durban 2011Climate Change is very relevant in SA and the

continentWe knew we would therefore have advocacy

support from partners and like-minded organizations

We couldn’t miss the opportunity to bring a relevant and pressing issue to the fore

In this presentation we seek to demonstrate what is necessary to organise a successful campaign for a mass event.

Giving the case of faith communities rallying together for the We Have Faith Campaign

Objectives of the Campaign

Strengthen the inter-religious network through mobilising among multi-faith organisations around climate change.

Influence the UNFCCC processes through ensuring that the negotiations have a moral element.

Raise awareness and provide education for local communities on climate change.

Objectives ContinueFaith networks in Africa to engage, build their

capacity on environmental issues and work on a particular campaign.

COP 17 to be influenced by the faith communities because the UNFCCC process in the past has been too secular; needs a moral dimension.

COP 17 to bring synergy between climate change and economic justice.

Strategies to Influence the UNFCCC Process

Youth We Have Faith Caravan

- 160 youths travelled from Nairobi to Durban organising concerts, meeting politicians,

- gathering petitions in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana and South Africa.

- The Caravan generated headline news in national media in all the countries it passed.

We Have Faith Petition Campaign

Launched a day after Caravan began its journey to Durban

It was a significant and crucial part of the campaign especially for face to face interaction

Got Icons/ambassdors to sign the petition

the Youth Caravan was used to mobilise communities and collect petitions

Educating communities…

Partners mobilised and educated people about climate change and its impact on communities

It was through this process that faith leaders in communities saw the link between climate change and economic justice, giving them adequate info to lobby government

Role of media

With the help of media specialists the status of the campaign was raised

This strategy was the key to the success of the campaign

the campaign’s messages went through mainstream media reaching the public and faith communities via radio, television and newspapers.

Results of utilizing Media to Raise Awareness

- 3 websites- 4 Facebook pages- 100 internet articles - 30 radio spots- 8 television interviews- 150 accredited media personalities at the

Climate Justice Rally at Kings Park Stadium

Climate Justice Rallymulti-faith ‘Climate

Justice Rally’ at King’s Park Stadium on 27 November 2011

was the magnum opus of the inter-faith activities

Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu, Christiana Figueres and Mashabane attended the event

200,000 signed petitions handed over

WHF Influence results..Minister Nkoana-Mashabane explicitly

mentioned the campaign, the rally and the petition in her opening statements at COP17.

At the rally she asked Archbishop Emeritus Tutu and Bishop Davies to pray for her, literally inviting them to provide chaplaincy support to her during the COP.

This is a reminder of the unique capacity that the faith sector has to speak to people at all levels.

Concluding remarks..

Evaluation was in March 2012Report is available We have continued with the campaign

and are going to CoP18

THANK YOU!

Rev. Malcolm DamonExecutive Director of Economic Justice Network (EJN)mpd@ejn.org.za +27214249563