Communication Strategies for Lobbying the 'Big Four'

In my last post I discussed how Christian Aid is beginning to lobby the 'Big Four' accounting firms to get them to change the tax laws, so that large corporations that work globally will be held more accountable about where their money is going.

They only way to change the laws though is to get the government and these companies on board. Christian Aid understands that the London-based International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) sets the rules for every company registered in Europe.

“The Big Four are key members of the IASB, with substantial influence on decisions that set the international accounting rules,” according to Christian Aid. So they know for changes to be made that must pressure the government, but also the members that have vital influence in the financial sector.

However, up to this point none of the ‘Big Four’ desire to change things. So Christian Aid is asking for all their followers to email these corporations to pressure them into making a change for the good of impoverished individuals.

Personally, I believe this to be a good step, but I don’t know how effective it truly is. You can show that your organization is truly passionate about the subject, but these corporations don’t truly care as long as they are making money. Christian Aid will probably have to do something more drastic to create a public outcry. However, I understand that exposure is a big deal and if they can get more exposure on the issue by sending out emails, press releases, You Tube videos it does create momentum.

I just don’t know how far their momentum can take them and this is the area in which having a variety of different causes can hurt them. I say that because with so many different followers there can be individuals volunteering in your organization that are more passionate about one area and not concerned with another. So Christian Aid might lose some of its force if it can’t gather all of it’s following to send emails.

Christian Aid Lobbies the Big Four

Christian Aid continues to lobby the ‘Big Four’ accountancy firms, Deloitte, Ernst and Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) and KPMG.

They are calling for the members of Christian Aid to email the ‘Big Four’ to fight for new accountancy rules. “Currently, accounting rules only call for companies to declare one figure for the amount of profit they make worldwide,” declares Christian Aid. However, Christian Aid is demanding “multinational companies must account for their profits on a country-by-country basis.”

The changes that Christian Aid are demanding for are very reasonable. The way things are now, with the companies only having to account for their profit worldwide, allows the door wide open for tax dodging and evasion. In so doing, they are getting away with not paying billions of dollars in tax that should be pouring back into countries. This ultimately keeps poor countries from developing because the money they should have coming into their economy isn’t coming in.

Christian Aid is already lobbying the UK government to act, but they understand they must pressure the financial sector as well.

In the next post I will explore how Christian Aid is doing this and discuss whether I feel that it’s effective or not.

Upcoming Christian Aid Week

Christian Aid puts on a fundraising week called Christian Aid Week (very creative) from May 10-16 May 2009. So for the next few weeks I’m going to explore the different ways that Christian Aid fundraises and how they employ communication strategies.

You won't want to miss out!

Present Aid- Gifts that Keep Giving

Present Aid is a branch of Christian Aid's organization that focuses on giving gifts to the less fortunate. The site http://www.presentaid.org/page/home allows individuals to buy gifts ranging anywhere from animals, to education or transportation.

This is a great way for members to feel like they are contributing with their finances. For some members they may not be able to contribute hours upon hours of time, but they will donate money to the cause. Christian Aid makes giving more purposeful by allowing the shopper to donate for a specific cause.

Some organizations just ask for donations; however, with Present Aid the members can say specifically that they would like to buy an education gift pack so that kids in poverty stricken areas can expand their minds. This empowers the shopper and gives them greater say so in where their money goes. This was a brilliant move on Christian Aid's part.

Click here to watch the video to learn more.

The Benefit of Christian Aid's Press Releases

One of the communication strategies from Christian Aid is that they have a regular press release that discusses all that Christian Aid is doing throughout the world. It doesn't only describe what they are doing but it also describes areas they feel need more attention.

I believe this to be a great communication strategy and it's especially essential for group communication. When organizations get larger it's harder for individuals to hear all the different stories of what's going on within the different areas. However, when you have stories of great success the organization can write to all of it's "followers", so that all can be encouraged by the success. When individuals in the group here about the story it's fuel for the flame, or in other terms the inspiration to keep going. It also creates a team atmosphere because it motivates individuals that their team is making a difference in the world. It bonds the organizations followers together on multiple levels.

On the flip side they also can write about their failures to ask for support. At times when Christian Aid puts out a release of where they have fallen short it creates within the followers a resolve to keep pressing. It motivates them to keep striving until they get the "victory" they desire.

Overall, I believe having a press release to keep all of your followers on the same page is an effective communication strategy. I've seen it work at the company I work for and I can assume that it's effective for Christian Aid as well.

Passion for my Faith and Desire to Live It Out

I was baptized when I was in the 6th grade, but I feel that I became a believer when I was 15 years old at an FCA camp. Ever since then I've been passionate about my faith. I truly believe that Jesus died for my sins to give me life, not just life eternally but also abundant life right here and now.

Now when I speak of abundant life I'm not saying if I believe in Jesus I'm going to be rolling around in my Lamborghini and live in my mansion in Orange County. However, I believe that an abundant life is a life filled with joy and contentment. A life that has been redeemed and renewed. A life where the brokenness has been healed and forgiveness has been received and given.

That is why I love the prayer that Christian Aid wrote. I do believe that God is redeeming all things to Himself. That He desires to heal nations, to protect the vulnerable and to restore health and vitality back into His people. That because of His love for us we can dare to believe there is hope in this world. We can dare to believe that things can be different.

So I'm passionate about my faith and I'm passionate about living it out. I'm passionate about bringing "life" to all people through my faith in Christ, which I see the same heart and vision with Christian Aid.

Prayer for Sri Lanka

I really enjoyed the prayer written by Christian Aid in light of Easter for Sri Lanka

Pray for Sri Lanka this Easter Sunday.

Risen glorious king,
Healer of nations,
Heal Sri Lanka.
Raise up the poor, protect the vulnerable and restore to safety all who have fled in fear.
Give your peace to the people; your wisdom to the government; and your mercy to rebel and army soldiers alike.
As we celebrate your resurrection life, and your conquering of death,
May there be an end to the suffering and violence that threaten precious lives in Sri Lanka.
We ask these things because of all you suffered, crucified Lord.
We dare to hope for peace, because of your great love.
Risen, glorious king,
Healer of nations,
Hear our prayer for Sri Lanka.

Amen.

Christian Aid's Network

As I've studied Christian Aid this year I've become more and more impressed by the work that they do. They challenge the government to radical accountability so that those in other countries can have a chance, a chance at equality, a change at getting their voice heard, a chance simply at life.

I feel that they are doing the best they can to get their message heard. They use the power of the media to their advantage and networking might be their most powerful tool. Christian Aid seems have their hands in many fields, but they also partner with many organizations to create synergy.

I love that they partner with other organizations to have a "louder voice" so to speak. By not just standing alone they maximize their resources and have the opportunity to resource small organizations that might not have the ability to spread the word as rapidly as Christian Aid does.

The importance of networking can never be stressed enough. Christian Aid is a perfect example.

Problem with Semantics?

So a friend of mine, who is a passionate activist, looked over my blog and had a question about Christian Aid's stance on rights and justice. She has an issue with the wording that they desire to give "power" to the people. She says that as an activist she desires to give the people resources to better their life, but not necessarily the "power" to become the dominant force. That we should strive to create equality within the government to where those who are in poverty have a chance to rise out of their situation and create a better life for themselves. That the word "power" has the connotation of being oppressive, which she admits is not always the case, but more often than not.

I would agree with my friend that we do have to be careful as activist to watch the semantics that we use. However, after studying further Christian Aid has this to say:

The victory is a good illustration of one of Christian Aid’s major concerns, giving people power - giving people the information, skills, tools and confidence they need to get what they need from those in authority and ensuring that local leaders and government officials listen and respond to people living in poverty.

I believe that Christian Aid would agree in social theory, yet choose different wording for the same idea. It seems as if C.A. desires to empower the people by education them and showing them that they can create a world in which their voice is heard and not drowned out. I don't believe their desire is to give them full reign or control over a government. More just control over their ability to be heard.

All a misunderstanding in semantics.

Issue Five: Rights and Justice

The last, but definitely not least, of the issues that Christian Aid fights for are rights and justice for those who are impoverished. To Christian Aid the “root cause of poverty is a lack of power,” and those who are trapped in poverty have little to no say in what the government is implementing. They say that corruption and human rights violations are the symptoms of the power imbalance. It’s estimated that $1 trillion spent each year on bribes-including bribes paid by firms and ordinary individuals.

Christian Aid helps by getting into the fight by helping those who have no voice get their voice heard. They strive to empower the people of the country to step up and hold their government accountable.

To date, C.A. has served in Afghanistan helping women get their voice heard while supporting Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic get access to health and education. They are also actively engaged in Bolivia, Colombia, and India just to name a few.

To study more in depth click here to read their policy papers on rights and justice.

Put People First March in London

Christian Aid supporters took part in the Put People First March in London, where they challenged the G20 leaders to raise the importance of jobs, justice and climate change at the top of their agenda.

Christian Aid’s agenda looks like such:

They desire a transparent economy- A transparent economy would look like institutions becoming more open with their books and business dealings, so that poorer countries will not be deprived of unpaid taxes. By holding organizations more accountable these poor countries will receive the money that should be coming into their economy in the first place.

They desire a green economy- Global warming is affecting affluent countries, but how much more is it affecting poor countries? When there is a drought in prosperous countries we just cut down on how much water we use. In poor countries a drought means loss of jobs, food and life. By challenging the government to work harder to create a ‘green economy’ we not only create a higher standard of living for future generations, but we allow those poorer countries to simply live.

They desire a fair economy- Poor countries must be empowered to work their way out of poverty. They do not need to “jump through loops in exchange for aids and loans.” By continually allowing unfair trade we create an economy where the cycle of poverty will not only not end but will continue to deteriorate.