Winning policy change

Aid agencies have invested heavily in supporting civil society organisations as change agents, which configure power relations and transform governance structures. In the rush to go global or stay local, however, the national policy sphere was recently neglected. Research on this theme sought to fill the gap by exploring cases of citizen activism that resulted in national policy change. The examples from South Africa, Morocco, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Turkey, India and the Philippines illustrate the important role of champions of change inside government, and the potential of their engagement with citizens outside.

Key documents

Citizen Action and National Policy Reform: Making Change Happen

Gaventa, John and Rosemary McGee, eds.

Zed Books: London , 2010
Building Responsive States: Citizen Action and National Policy Change

Gaventa, John and Ruth Mayne

IDS InFocus Briefing Issue 5, Institute of Development Studies: Brighton , 2008
Champions of Participation: Engaging Citizens in Local Governance. An International Learning Report

Dunn, A., Foot, J., Gaventa, J. and Zipfel, T.

International Learning Report’, Brighton: Development Centre on Citizenship, Participation and Accountability , 2007

Related Publications

Gaining Comprehensive AIDS Treatment in South Africa: The Extraordi...

Friedman, S
In J Gaventa & R McGee (eds) Citizen Action and National Policy Reform. London: Zed

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordere...

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordered from Zed Books at www.zedbooks.co.uk/citizenship or purchased at the IDS bookstore.
Redistributing Land in the Philippines: Social Movements and State ...

Borras, Jr SM
In J Gaventa & R McGee (eds) Citizen Action and National Policy Reform: Making Change Happen. London: Zed

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordere...

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordered from Zed Books at www.zedbooks.co.uk/citizenship or purchased at the IDS bookstore.
Democratizing Urban Policy in Brazil: Participation and the Right t...

Avritzer, L
In J Gaventa & R McGee (eds) Citizen Action and National Policy Reform: Making Change Happen. London: Zed

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordere...

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordered from Zed Books at www.zedbooks.co.uk/citizenship or purchased at the IDS bookstore.
Making Change Happen: Citizen Action and National Policy Reform (in...

Gaventa J & R, McGee
In J Gaventa & R McGee (eds) Citizen Action and National Policy Reform: Making Change Happen. London: Zed

This is the full introduction to the edited volume that explores cases of citizen activism that resulted in national ...

This is the full introduction to the edited volume that explores cases of citizen activism that resulted in national policy change.
Winning the Right to Information in India: Is Knowledge Power?

Baviskar, A
In J Gaventa & R McGee (eds) Citizen Action and National Policy Reform. London: Zed

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordere...

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordered from Zed Books at www.zedbooks.co.uk/citizenship or purchased at the IDS bookstore.
Protecting the Child in Chile 2010

Fuentes, C
In J Gaventa & R McGee (eds) Citizen Action and National Policy Reform: Making Change Happen. London: Zed

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordere...

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordered from Zed Books at www.zedbooks.co.uk/citizenship or purchased at the IDS bookstore.
Reducing Maternal Mortality in Mexico: Building Vertical Alliances ...

Layton, M, Campillo Carrete, B, Ablanedo Terrazas, I & AM, Sanchez Rodriguez
In J Gaventa & R McGee (eds) Citizen Action and National Policy Reform: Making Change Happen. London: Zed

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordere...

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordered from Zed Books at www.zedbooks.co.uk/citizenship or purchased at the IDS bookstore.
Re/forming Laws to Secure Women's Rights in Turkey: The Campaign on...

Ilkkaracan, P
In J Gaventa & R McGee (eds) Citizen Action and National Policy Reform: Making Change Happen. London: Zed

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordere...

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordered from Zed Books at www.zedbooks.co.uk/citizenship or purchased at the IDS bookstore.
Winning Women's Rights in Morocco: Cultural Adaptations and Islamic...

Pittman, A & R, Naciri
In J Gaventa & R McGee (eds) Citizen Action and National Policy Reform: Making Change Happen. London: Zed

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordere...

Due to copyright restrictions, we can only share the first three pages of this chapter online. The book can be ordered from Zed Books at www.zedbooks.co.uk/citizenship or purchased at the IDS bookstore.
Building Responsive States: Citizen Action and National Policy Change

Gaventa J
IDS In Focus Policy Briefing, 5

Citizen action plays a critical role in confronting poverty and social injustice at the national level. It can bring ...

Citizen action plays a critical role in confronting poverty and social injustice at the national level. It can bring about significant changes to policy and help to build responsive and accountable states. The challenge is not only how best to support and enable national-level advocacy, but how to ensure the changes it brings about are sustainable. This In Focus Policy Briefing explores positive examples of citizen action and highlights how government, donors and civil society organisations can help citizens bring about pro-poor national policy change.