National Advocacy ProgramBuilding a Network of Educated, Connected Activists
In 2003, CASA's Advocacy program began with the goal of training and supporting local activists and leaders to be more effective in their advocacy efforts in communities throughout Mexico. Special focus is on the traditionaly marginalized rural and indiginous communities, in particular women, increasing democratic participation and social mobilization.
The education program which stands at the heart of CASA's Advocacy and Leadership training consists of nine workshops that address the meaning of advocacy, sexual rights, reproductive health, family planning, civic involvement, strategies of political activity and organizing, how to evaluate situations and set goals, responsible and interactive leadership, building networks of people and institutions, building alliances amongst existing groups, public support; the utilization of mass media and other methods of communication and how to respond to ineffective government. In 2004 a group of volunteer advocacy youth trained by CASA launched a radio program to promote democracy and reproductive health rights, especially for teens, in San Luis Potosi. The program is produced in both Spanish and an indigenous dialect.
Cooperation and Growth CASA's Advocacy Team of 7 young people has joined forces with the Oportunidades program of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) – a large government agency that works primarily in rural areas. CASA's young peer counselors are training adolescents who work as volunteers with the IMSS' CARA program. Not only do CASA advocacy youth team leaders work with the CARA adolescents in their own communities but grants and scholarships are offered by CASA to these youth to spend the summer in San Miguel de Allende taking more advance and intense advocacy trainings. We hope to increase the size of the student body in the Summer Advocacy Program every year, we are always looking for generous sponsors to support the education of our Advocates. To get involved, click here.
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CASA and IMSS/CARA run a joint meeting on Reproductive Health in the state of Michoacan
CASA's Advocacy team travels through over five states in Mexico: Veracruz, Oaxaca, Michoacan, San Luis Potosí, and Puebla.
10-19 year old Advocacy youths participate in educational excercises, supervised by the CASA Advocacy team
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