Advocacies have to be shared with the world. The sad reality is that our world is full of sociopolitical issues that cannot be addressed with the snap of a finger. Change must be championed by those with the power to make them happen, but people on the ground bring forward awareness to a specific problem. If you want to push for a cause, but you’re in a new country, it can feel like the ceiling is way too high.
But whether you fight for climate justice, LGBT rights, or sustainable energy, you must understand that you cannot go through these battles alone. If you happen to be married or in a relationship, your partner can be a valuable co-advocate, especially in a new country.
After being vocal about issues in your home country, moving elsewhere might be the natural progression of your advocacy.
Map out your resources and funding
When you decide to move to a new country, there has to be some documentation in place before your immigration is considered stable. Look into resources that can help you plan your move even before arriving in the country of choice.
You and your spouse may find a lot of help through Total Law immigration services. Keep a repertory of related services to make it easy for you to acquire information about the procedure for moving elsewhere. These documents will also be helpful as you expand your advocacy in the future.
Sit down with your partner to check if moving countries is the right move for yourself and the advocacy. Some people see it as the natural next step after getting enough traction in their hometown. If you decide that this is what you want, secure a married visa for proper immigration.
Focus on a goal
While there are many things wrong in the world, you and your spouse cannot cultivate a messianic complex and try to fix everything. Instead, it would help if you focused on a specific goal. What exactly do you want to show the people around you in the new country?
Think of a subset of people that you want to benefit the most. For example, will they be older people outside your normal sphere of influence? Is it other people from the same age group? You have to strategize accordingly.
Come up with a game plan and a schedule. If you want to get into the local consciousness, you have to organize people from nearby areas. Hold events in local centers or even restaurants. These small gatherings will encourage other people to check out what you have to say.
Since fostering discourse is a crucial step in this ordeal, getting people to show up is a way to set up a foundation.
Figure out how to expand
The most successful grassroots movement did so through expansion. For some, it was through word of mouth. For others, it was social media and even print ads. Creativity plays a part in expansion because you have to get people to identify with what you believe in.
Once you have a small group of people in place for the advocacy, begin mapping out the steps to get traction properly. Online petitions can get you a head start, although they rarely accomplish the actual cause they demand from leaders. You may also choose to write letters directly addressed to local officials or corporations.
Phone calls to the appropriate offices will also help. Through this method, some people have gotten an audience with their mayors or governors. Make sure to ask help from fellow advocates who are more well-versed with the locality’s culture. As immigrants, you and your partner might not be as immersed in the inner workings of the city, which could affect how you communicate your message.
Build an online presence
The world today values instant connections. Websites like Facebook and Twitter have become vital tools for reaching more people. When you make a page, it can get people around the area to start watching out for your posts. These can be infographics that inform more people about the situation at hand.
Make use of numbers that you accumulated through research and immersion. Tell people the bigger picture, even if you do it virtually. Start doing a live streamed question and answer broadcast for better recognition. When you have the attention of local authorities and other personas, you can invite them to your program.
By building a solid online presence, you not only amplify your and your partner’s advocacy. You also empower other immigrants to speak out about issues they see on the streets. In a society plagued with multiple injustices, those who experience it should hear their voices.
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