#advocacy groups / pressure groups / lobbies

[odinsblog]

THIS WEEK, WASHINGTON’S top Israel lobby is rallying its supporters to go to Capitol Hill and falsely claim to lawmakers that people aren’t starving in Gaza and Israel isn’t blocking aid shipments, according to talking points obtained by the American Prospect.

Israel has led a brutal siege on Gaza since Oct. 7, when Hamas killed 1,139 Israelis and kidnapped more than 200. More than 31,000 Palestinians have been killed, 2 million have been internally displaced, and hundreds of thousands are at imminent risk of famine, according to the United Nations.

The powerful lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, is working to maintain support for Israel’s war, amid increased protests and public outcry. This week, AIPAC convened in Maryland for its annual policy conference, which it uses to marshal its donors and supporters to serve as a grassroots lobbying army in the halls of Congress.

The Prospect obtained a copy of AIPAC’s talking points for supporters heading to the Hill — and they are extreme, to say the least. The documents instruct supporters to claim that “reports that people are starving in Gaza are false,” and say that “Israel is not blocking the delivery of aid to Gaza.”

The AIPAC talking points additionally claim that Hamas wants people to believe Gazans are starving in order to “exert pressure” on Israel, and argues the “United States must not fall into Hamas’ trap.”

These claims from AIPAC are false. Gazans are starving on a massive, unprecedented scale. According to the United Nations, 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza — almost the entire population of the region — are facing “crisis or worse levels of food insecurity.” Half a million of those included in that figure face “catastrophic” levels of food insecurity.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) — a leading food security analysis and advocacy group — classifies the Gaza Strip as being in Phase 4 “Emergency” status food insecurity, with a high risk of imminent famine conditions.

(continue reading)

#politics #palestine #israel #hasbara #aipac #gaza #rafah #israili propaganda #lobbyists #foreign agents

[kp777]

By Jake Johnson

Common Dreams

Oct. 4, 2023

"Medicare Advantage is just another example of the endless greed of the insurance industry poisoning American healthcare," says a new report from Physicians for a National Health Program.

A report published Wednesday estimates that privately run, government-funded Medicare Advantage plans are overcharging U.S. taxpayers by up to $140 billion per year, a sum that could be used to completely eliminate Medicare Part B premiums or fully fund Medicare's prescription drug program.

Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), an advocacy group that supports transitioning to a single-payer health insurance system, found that Medicare Advantage (MA) overbills the federal government by at least $88 billion per year, based on 2022 spending.

That lower-end estimate accounts for common MA practices such as upcoding, whereby diagnoses are piled onto a patient's risk assessment to make them appear sicker than they actually are, resulting in a larger payment from the federal government.

But when accounting for induced utilization—"the idea that people with supplemental coverage are likely to use more health care because their insurance pays for more of their cost"—PNHP estimated that the annual overbilling total could be as high as $140 billion.

"This is unconscionable, unsustainable, and in our current healthcare system, unremarkable," says the new report. "Medicare Advantage is just another example of the endless greed of the insurance industry poisoning American healthcare, siphoning money from vulnerable patients while delaying and denying necessary and often lifesaving treatment."

Even if the more conservative figure is accurate, PNHP noted, the excess funding that MA plans are receiving each year would be more than enough to expand traditional Medicare to cover dental, hearing, and vision. Traditional Medicare does not currently cover those benefits, which often leads patients to seek out supplemental coverage—or switch to an MA plan.

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that adding dental, vision, and hearing to Medicare and Medicaid would cost just under $84 billion in the most costly year of the expansion.

"While there is obvious reason to fix these issues in MA and to expand traditional Medicare for the sake of all beneficiaries," the new report states, "the deep structural problems with our healthcare system will only be fixed when we achieve improved Medicare for All."

Bolstered by taxpayer subsidies, Medicare Advantage has seen explosive growth since its creation in 2003 even as it has come under fire for fraud, denying necessary care, and other abuses. Today, nearly 32 million people are enrolled in MA plans—more than half of all eligible Medicare beneficiaries.

Earlier this year, the Biden administration took steps to crack down on MA overbilling, prompting howls of protest and a furious lobbying campaign by the industry's major players, including UnitedHealth Group and Humana. Relenting to industry pressure, the Biden administration ultimately agreed to phase in its rule changes over a three-year period.

Leading MA providers have also faced backlash from lawmakers for handing their top executives massive pay packages while cutting corners on patient care and fighting reforms aimed at rooting out overbilling.

As PNHP's new report explains, MA plans are paid by the federal government as if "their enrollees have the same health needs and require the same levels of spending as their traditional Medicare counterparts," even though people who enroll in MA plans tend to be healthier—and thus have less expensive medical needs.

"There are several factors that potentially contribute to this phenomenon," PNHP's report notes. "Patients who are sicker and thus have more complicated care needs may be turned off by limited networks, the use of prior authorizations, and other care denial strategies in MA plans. By contrast, healthier patients may feel less concerned about restrictions on care and more attracted to common features of MA plans like $0 premiums and additional benefits (e.g. dental and vision coverage, gym memberships, etc.). Insurers can also use strategies such as targeted advertising to reach the patients most favorable to their profit margins."

A KFF investigation published last month found that television ads for Medicare Advantage "comprised more than 85% of all airings for the open enrollment period for 2023."

"TV ads for Medicare Advantage often showed images of a government-issued Medicare card or urged viewers to call a 'Medicare' hotline other than the official 1-800-Medicare hotline," KFF noted, a practice that has previously drawn scrutiny from the U.S. Senate and federal regulators.

PNHP's report comes days after Cigna, a major MA provider, agreed to pay $172 million to settle allegations that it submitted false patient diagnosis data to the federal government in an attempt to receive a larger payment.

Dr. Ed Weisbart, PNHP's national board secretary, toldThe Lever on Wednesday that such overpayments are "going directly into the profit lines of the Medicare Advantage companies without any additional health value."

"If seniors understood that the $165 coming out of their monthly Social Security checks was going essentially dollar for dollar into profiteering of Medicare Advantage, they would and should be angry about that," said Weisbart. "We think that we pay premiums to fund Medicare. The only reason we have to do that is because we're letting Medicare Advantage take that money from us."

#medicare advantage #health care #medicare #physicians for a national health program

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Can Lula fix Brazil’s fiscal mess?

Reform of the world’s most complicated tax system will cut businesses’ costs—if lobbies permit it

In Brazil an overhaul of consumption taxes passed by Congress in December has been called “historic”, “revolutionary” and a “miracle”. “Nobody believed this would be possible,” boasted President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, to a standing ovation in Congress. For once, the superlatives are not misplaced. More than 30 years in the making, the reform will simplify the world’s most complicated tax system. But can Lula’s government withstand the pressure from special-interest groups in order to fully implement it?

The tax overhaul is the latest and most significant in a series of structural reforms in Brazil. In 2017 labour laws were modernised under Michel Temer, a centre-right president. Under Mr Temer’s right-wing populist successor, Jair Bolsonaro, Congress approved a pension reform that raised the retirement age. The flurry of reforms is happening because “frankly, the state ran out of money,” says Tatiana Ribeiro of the Competitive Brazil Movement, a research and advocacy group. A deep recession in 2014 was made worse by fiscal profligacy, and prompted giant protests in Brazil’s cities.

To understand why the tax reform is considered revolutionary, consider the current system. The constitution, enacted in 1988, gave all three levels of government—federal, state, and municipal—the power to levy consumption taxes. This makes Brazil an outlier. Of the 174 countries that have value-added taxes (VAT), the most common consumption tax, the vast majority collect them at the national level. Brazil is unique in how it allocates responsibility for taxation of services to municipalities, and the high degree of freedom it gives them. As Brazil has 27 states and 5,570 municipalities the country became “a madhouse for taxes,” says Maílson da Nóbrega, a former finance minister.

This chaotic system has generated copious litigation. In 2019 the World Bank estimated that it took companies 1,501 hours a year to comply with Brazilian tax law, compared with a global average of 234. Many businesses are unsure which taxes they must pay, and to which entity. The value of ongoing cases in Brazilian courts involving tax credits is over 5trn reais ($1trn), equivalent to 75% of the country’s GDP.

Continue reading.

#brazil #brazilian politics #politics #economy #taxation #mod nise da silveira #image description in alt

[lordendsavior]

A short history of Polish women losing their abortion rights

(taken from: Poland Shows the Risks for Women When Abortion Is Banned, The New York Times)

Poland was once a destination for women seeking abortion.

Under Communism, the Catholic Church was marginalized and abortion legalized in 1956. Women were encouraged to work and granted sweeping reproductive rights that Western democracies embraced only decades later.

With abortions in Poland cheap and available practically on demand, women from all over Western Europe flocked there until well into the 1980s.

But that changed after the Communist government collapsed in 1989. Bowing to pressure from a newly assertive Catholic Church, which had supported the fight against Communism, the new Parliament proposed an abortion ban.

“No one knew at the time that the period of democratization would mean such backlash for women’s rights,” said Magdalena Sroda, a professor of ethics at the University of Warsaw. “It was a return to the discourse of traditional women’s roles as wives and mothers.”

It would become one of the defining culture wars of the new democracy for decades to come.

Women’s groups organized protests and signed petitions. Three in four Poles told pollsters at the time that they preferred the issue to be settled by a referendum, not by Parliament. The country was almost evenly split, with 53 percent in favor of the liberal status quo.

Even so, Parliament outlawed abortion in 1993 with three exceptions: danger to the health or life of the mother; rape or incest; fetal abnormalities.

After the ban, abortion swiftly moved underground. Doctors who had previously offered free terminations in public hospitals charged handsomely for terminations in private clinics. They offered gynecological services through classified ads with only a phone number and code words like “anesthesia” and “safe.” While legal abortions dropped to about a thousand a year, the actual number of terminations has stayed around 150,000, advocacy groups like Federa estimate.

“Everyone just made do,” Ms. Sroda said. “It was a bigger problem for women from smaller towns and villages, who did not have sufficient means for an abortion in a private clinic.”

Or, as Ms. Kacpura put it: “The ban has done a lot of things. What it hasn’t done is stop abortions.”

In 1996, a left-leaning Parliament passed a law restoring abortion rights only to have it struck down by the Constitutional Court a few months later. Citing Article 38 of the Polish Constitution, which protects “the life of every human being,” the court ruled that this included unborn life.

It was a harbinger of a broader shift in the abortion debate. Over the next two decades, public schools were obliged to teach children about “responsible parenthood” and “life in the prenatal phase.” Abortion became a taboo.

And an emboldened anti-abortion movement led by an alliance of Catholic organizations started lobbying to take away the most-used exception to the ban — fetal abnormalities — which had been used for almost all of the 1,000 legal abortions a year in Poland.

After the nationalist Law and Justice party won power in 2015, it embraced a near-absolute ban as part of its traditionalist agenda.

A wave of mass protests ensued. Legislation promoting the ban twice failed to pass in Parliament.

But it took effect anyway last year after Poland’s highest court intervened again.

Aborting a fetus with abnormalities, said the court’s president, Julia Przylebska, constituted “eugenic practices” and “a directly forbidden form of discrimination.”

In nearly three decades, there have been only a handful of abortion-related trials, and no doctors, women or activists have so far been convicted, Ms. Kacpura said. But the political climate has become progressively more intimidating, she and other activists say.

Underground abortions have largely stopped, forcing women to either import pills or travel to clinics just over the borders with the Czech Republic, Germany and Slovakia. Few now openly call for a full return to the liberal abortion rights of Communist times. The anti-abortion camp holds regular “family marches,” and billboard campaigns with outsize fetuses are a common sight across the country.

Though two exceptions to the Polish abortion ban remain, in practice, neither is used much: Rape victims require a certificate from a prosecutor, which takes time to obtain.

And as Ms. Sajbor’s case illustrates, “serious risk” to the mother’s health now competes with that to the fetus.

#i recommend reading the entire article #poland #abortion #women’s rights

[ronaldlbook]

Empowerment in Action: A Guide on How to Advocate for Policy Change

In a world where policies shape societies, advocating for policy change becomes crucial for citizens to influence the direction of their communities and nations. Whether passionate about environmental sustainability, social justice, healthcare reform, or any other issue, advocating for policy change empowers individuals to make a tangible difference. But how does one navigate the complex landscape of policy advocacy effectively? This comprehensive guide will delve into the strategies, tools, and principles necessary to become a powerful advocate for policy change.

Identify Key Stakeholders

Effective advocacy often involves engaging with various stakeholders, including policymakers, government officials, community leaders, and advocacy groups. Identify the key decision-makers and influencers relevant to your cause. Building relationships with these stakeholders is essential for gaining support, garnering resources, and ultimately influencing policy change.

Build Your Knowledge Base

Advocacy efforts are greatly enhanced by knowledge and expertise. Educate yourself on the relevant laws, regulations, and stakeholders involved. Stay informed about current events, research findings, and policy proposals related to your cause. Building a solid knowledge base strengthens your advocacy arguments and increases your credibility as an advocate.

Formulate Clear Objectives

Define specific, measurable objectives for your advocacy efforts. What policy change do you want to see? Are you aiming to amend existing legislation, introduce new policies, or influence administrative decisions? Articulated objectives provide direction and focus to your advocacy initiatives, guiding your actions and strategies.

Understanding the Landscape

Before diving into advocacy efforts, grasping the policy-making landscape is essential. Policies are decisions made by governments, organizations, or institutions to address specific issues or achieve particular goals. These decisions can range from local ordinances to international agreements, encompassing various areas such as healthcare, education, economics, and the environment.

Identify the Issue

The first step in advocating for policy change is identifying the issue you’re passionate about. Take the time to research and understand the root causes, consequences, and existing policies related to the problem. Whether it’s advocating for climate action, criminal justice reform, or LGBTQ+ rights, clarity on the issue is crucial for effective advocacy.

Crafting Your Advocacy Strategy

With a solid understanding of the issue and its objectives, it’s time to craft your advocacy strategy. Consider the following components when developing your approach:

Messaging and Framing: Develop clear and compelling messages that resonate with your target audience. Frame the issue to highlight its importance, urgency, and relevance to the community or society at large.

Coalition Building: Collaborate with like-minded individuals, organizations, and communities to amplify your advocacy efforts. Building coalitions strengthens your collective voice, broadens your reach, and increases your impact.

Media and Communications: Utilize various media channels, including traditional media, social media, and online platforms, to raise awareness about your cause and mobilize support. Effective communication strategies can help shape public opinion and pressure decision-makers to take action.

Grassroots Mobilization: Empower grassroots activists and community members to become advocates for change. Organize rallies, marches, petitions, and grassroots campaigns to mobilize public support and demonstrate the strength of your movement.

Policy Research and Analysis: Conduct thorough research and analysis to support your advocacy arguments. Gather data, case studies, and expert opinions to substantiate the need for policy change and identify practical solutions.

Lobbying and Advocacy Meetings: Conduct direct advocacy meetings with policymakers and government officials to present your case, express your concerns, and advocate for specific policy reforms. Lobbying efforts can significantly influence decision-making processes and policy outcomes.

Legal Strategies: Explore legal avenues, such as litigation, legal advocacy, and legislative drafting, to advance your policy objectives. Legal strategies can complement other advocacy efforts and provide additional leverage in advocating for policy change.

Measuring Success and Adaptation

As you implement your advocacy strategy, it’s essential to monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of your efforts. Measure success against your defined objectives, tracking key metrics such as policy changes, public awareness, stakeholder engagement, and impact on the issue. Be prepared to adapt and adjust your advocacy approach based on feedback, changing circumstances, and lessons learned.

Conclusion: Empowering Change Through Advocacy

Advocating for policy change is a powerful means of empowering individuals to shape the future of their communities and societies. By identifying key issues, building knowledge and expertise, formulating clear objectives, and implementing effective advocacy strategies, individuals can become catalysts for positive change. Whether advocating for environmental sustainability, social justice, healthcare reform, or any other cause, each advocacy effort contributes to building a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. So, roll up your sleeves, raise your voice, and join the movement for change. Together, we can make a difference through advocacy.

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VPN encryption benefits

VPN encryption offers numerous benefits to users who prioritize online security and privacy. By using VPN encryption protocols, individuals can protect their sensitive data and communications from cyber threats and unauthorized access.

One of the primary benefits of VPN encryption is the secure transmission of data over public networks such as the internet. Encryption technology ensures that data is transformed into an unreadable format, making it virtually impossible for hackers to intercept and decipher the information. This is especially crucial when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, which are known hotspots for cyber attacks.

Furthermore, VPN encryption helps users maintain anonymity and privacy online. By masking their IP addresses and encrypting their internet traffic, individuals can browse the web without being tracked or monitored by third parties, including government agencies, internet service providers, and advertisers.

For individuals in countries with strict internet censorship laws, VPN encryption can provide unrestricted access to online content and services. By bypassing geo-blocks and firewalls, users can enjoy a truly open and unrestricted internet experience.

Overall, VPN encryption is a powerful tool that can safeguard users' online activities, communications, and sensitive information. By investing in a reputable VPN service that prioritizes encryption protocols, individuals can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their digital footprint is secure and protected from cyber threats.

Online gaming ban prevention

Title: Strategies to Prevent Online Gaming Bans

Online gaming bans can be a significant setback for avid gamers and the gaming industry as a whole. Whether due to regulatory restrictions, parental concerns, or societal pressures, being barred from online gaming platforms can limit access to entertainment, social interaction, and even livelihoods for professional gamers. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies that individuals and organizations can employ to mitigate the risk of online gaming bans.

Educational Initiatives: Providing comprehensive education about responsible gaming practices can help users understand the potential risks associated with excessive gaming. This includes information on setting healthy gaming limits, recognizing addiction symptoms, and accessing support resources when needed.

Community Engagement: Building strong gaming communities fosters a sense of belonging and support among players. By encouraging positive interactions and self-regulation within these communities, individuals are more likely to adhere to gaming guidelines and avoid behaviors that could lead to bans.

Regulatory Compliance: For gaming platforms and developers, staying abreast of legal regulations and compliance requirements is crucial. Implementing robust age verification systems, parental control features, and monitoring tools can help ensure that gaming activities remain within legal boundaries.

Technology Solutions: Leveraging advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, can help identify and address potential gaming-related issues proactively. This includes detecting patterns of excessive gaming behavior, providing personalized recommendations for healthier gaming habits, and flagging suspicious activities for further review.

Advocacy and Lobbying: Working with policymakers, advocacy groups, and industry stakeholders to shape gaming regulations and promote responsible gaming practices can help prevent knee-jerk reactions that result in blanket bans. By advocating for evidence-based policies and targeted interventions, the gaming community can contribute to a more balanced and nuanced approach to gaming regulation.

In conclusion, preventing online gaming bans requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses education, community engagement, regulatory compliance, technological innovation, and advocacy efforts. By adopting these strategies, individuals and organizations can help safeguard the future of online gaming while promoting healthy gaming habits and protecting players' rights.

VPN IP address masking

VPN IP address masking is a powerful online privacy tool that has gained popularity in recent years. Many internet users are turning to VPNs to protect their online activities from prying eyes, hackers, and even government surveillance. But what exactly does IP address masking mean in the context of VPNs?

When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through a secure, encrypted tunnel to a VPN server. This server acts as an intermediary between your device and the websites or online services you are accessing. As a result, your real IP address, which can be used to identify your location and online activities, is masked. Instead, websites see the IP address of the VPN server, making it much harder for anyone to trace your online actions back to you.

IP address masking offers several key benefits. It helps to protect your privacy by preventing websites and online services from tracking your real IP address. This can also help to bypass geo-restrictions, allowing you to access content that may be blocked in your region. Additionally, IP address masking can enhance your online security by making it more difficult for cybercriminals to target you.

Overall, VPN IP address masking is a valuable tool for anyone looking to safeguard their online privacy and security. By using a VPN, you can enjoy a more secure and private internet experience, free from the prying eyes of third parties.

Anti-ban measures

In the digital landscape, "anti-ban measures" refer to strategies and technologies employed to circumvent or mitigate the risk of being banned from online platforms, particularly social media networks, forums, or gaming platforms. These measures are crucial for individuals and organizations seeking to maintain their online presence and engagement without facing punitive actions such as temporary suspensions or permanent bans.

One common anti-ban measure involves adhering to the terms of service and community guidelines set forth by the platform. This includes refraining from engaging in prohibited activities such as spamming, harassment, or sharing inappropriate content. By following these rules diligently, users can reduce the likelihood of triggering automated or manual bans.

Moreover, employing tactics to avoid detection by platform algorithms can also be effective in preventing bans. This may involve adjusting posting frequency, varying content formats, and using proxies or virtual private networks (VPNs) to mask IP addresses. By diversifying online behavior and avoiding predictable patterns, users can make it more challenging for platforms to flag and penalize their accounts.

Furthermore, staying informed about platform updates and changes in moderation policies is essential for implementing effective anti-ban measures. By understanding the evolving landscape of online regulation, users can adapt their strategies accordingly and stay ahead of potential bans.

In addition to individual efforts, some anti-ban measures involve leveraging technology to monitor and protect online accounts. This may include using third-party tools or services that offer account management and security features, such as monitoring for suspicious activity or providing early warnings about potential bans.

Ultimately, by proactively implementing anti-ban measures and staying vigilant about online conduct, individuals and organizations can minimize the risk of being banned from their preferred online platforms, allowing them to maintain their digital presence and engagement effectively.

VPN security advantages

Title: Maximizing Online Security: Unraveling the Advantages of VPNs

In the digital age, safeguarding your online activities has become paramount. With cyber threats lurking at every corner of the internet, individuals and businesses alike are turning to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bolster their security measures. VPNs offer a myriad of advantages that not only enhance privacy but also fortify data protection.

Encryption: One of the foremost advantages of VPNs is their ability to encrypt data. By creating a secure tunnel between the user's device and the VPN server, all data transmitted is encrypted, rendering it unreadable to prying eyes. This encryption ensures that sensitive information such as passwords, credit card details, and personal messages remain confidential, even on unsecured networks.

Anonymity: VPNs enable users to mask their IP addresses, thereby cloaking their online identities. This anonymity serves as a shield against surveillance, tracking, and targeted advertising. Whether browsing from home, a coffee shop, or a foreign country, users can enjoy a sense of anonymity and freedom without compromising their privacy.

Bypassing Geographical Restrictions: Geographic restrictions imposed by streaming services, websites, or governments can be circumvented with the help of VPNs. By connecting to servers located in different countries, users can access region-locked content and services, expanding their digital horizons without limitations.

Enhanced Security on Public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks are notorious breeding grounds for cybercriminals. VPNs act as a barrier against potential threats lurking on these networks by encrypting data transmissions. Whether accessing emails, conducting online banking, or browsing social media, VPNs provide peace of mind and protection against malicious activities.

Secure Remote Access: In an era where remote work is increasingly prevalent, VPNs facilitate secure remote access to corporate networks. Employees can connect to their organization's network securely from anywhere in the world, ensuring seamless collaboration without compromising sensitive data.

In essence, VPNs have emerged as indispensable tools for fortifying online security and preserving digital privacy. By harnessing the encryption, anonymity, and bypassing capabilities of VPNs, individuals and businesses can navigate the digital landscape with confidence and peace of mind.

[graymanbriefing]

2nd Amendment Brief: New York  The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will represent the National Rifle Association (NRA) in a 2018 case against the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS). The case will be heard by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in which the NRA alleged the DFS violated the First Amendment by "pressuring regulated financial institutions like banks and insurers to stop doing business" with the NRA. The ACLU, which typically lobbies for far-left agendas, concurred with the pro 2nd Amendment organization opposing the "regulatory power" violating the "NRA’s First Amendment rights" saying, "the government can’t blacklist an advocacy group because of its viewpoint." The NRA said that  the DFS operated a "campaign of selective prosecution, backroom exhortations, and public threats". The ACLU clarified that they "vigorously oppose the NRA's viewpoint" bu...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

#News #Intel #Situational Awareness #Prepping

[hannah-montana-ihl]

From Grassroots to Government: A Student's Guide to Promoting Human Rights in the Philippines

Princess Hannah Mapa PSElec-2238 8-703 BLOG 2

In a world where human rights violations persist, taking proactive steps toward fostering a universal culture of human rights is not only a moral obligation but a necessity. The Philippines, despite being a signatory to various international human rights agreements, has long struggled with human rights issues. From extrajudicial killings to instances of political violence, the country has grappled with various issues that have hindered the establishment of a robust human rights culture. The Maguindanao massacre, a horrifying event that claimed the lives of 58 individuals, including journalists, is a somber reminder of the magnitude of this challenge. It is against this backdrop that I am compelled to take action.

Growing up in Mindanao, I was no stranger to the grim reality of human rights abuses. The sounds of gunfire and the sight of mourning families became all too familiar. One particular incident that left an indelible mark on my heart was the tragic loss of my friend's mother, a victim of the Maguindanao massacre. Witnessing her pain and the profound impact it had on our community was a catalyst for my resolve to be part of the solution.

Taking concrete steps toward change involves a multifaceted approach. As a student with a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced in Mindanao, I recognize that education and awareness serve as foundational pillars. By organizing seminars, workshops, and awareness campaigns within educational institutions and communities, we can disseminate knowledge about human rights issues, igniting a spark of empathy and action. For instance, partnering with local schools to conduct workshops on topics like human rights, conflict resolution, and civic responsibility can empower the youth with the tools to advocate for change in their communities. Furthermore, joining or supporting advocacy groups dedicated to human rights amplifies our collective voice. These groups work tirelessly, leveraging their influence to raise awareness, lobby for policy changes, and support victims of human rights abuses. For example, volunteering with organizations such as Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch can directly contribute to impactful initiatives and campaigns. Engaging with local communities is equally pivotal. Initiating events, dialogues, and workshops fosters an environment of understanding, tolerance, and respect for human dignity, creating ripples of change that extend far beyond individual efforts. Hosting community dialogues that bring together diverse perspectives on human rights issues and collaborating with local artists to organize exhibitions highlighting these concerns can effectively engage and inspire a wider audience. Offering our support to victims and their families, whether through volunteering or fundraising campaigns, provides a tangible lifeline in their pursuit of justice and healing. Establishing crowdfunding initiatives to assist families in legal battles or volunteering at local support centers for victims of human rights abuses can make a significant impact.

Additionally, advocating for policy changes by collaborating with local authorities and like-minded individuals ensures that our collective voice reverberates through the corridors of power, driving lasting transformation. Meeting with local representatives to discuss specific policy reforms or engaging in letter-writing campaigns to draw attention to urgent human rights issues can exert meaningful pressure for change. Together, through education, advocacy, community engagement, and unwavering support, we can forge a society that cherishes and upholds the inherent rights and dignity of every individual. This is the essence of building a culture of human rights in the Philippines.

The promotion of human rights culture in the Philippines, or any other nation for that matter, calls for a team effort and unshakable commitment. I'm determined to contribute to this transformative journey, drawing on my experiences in Mindanao. As a student, I am confident that support for victims, community involvement, advocacy, and education are effective strategies for creating a society that supports each person's inherent dignity and rights. Together, we can make a difference, one step at a time.

#IHL 2

[magchiato]

Activism & Protest :: How might activists use social media in the future??

We as human feel obligated to speak out when we see practices that lead to harm or negativity. Whether its a concern about open burning, animal abuse, factory waste disposal, human rights, or just pineapples on pizza. To demand a change we need to create a voice to have a better world.

What is social activism?

The term "social activist" refers to efforts, activities or campaigns carried out by individuals, groups and organizations for the purpose of bringing about change in their respective fields of concern: society, politics, economics etc. Social action is based on the belief that individuals can and should play an essential role in shaping and influencing our society's structures, policies and norms. The aim is to identify problems or injustices, raise awareness about them and advocate for solutions.

How did activism and protest start? 🤔

Activism dates back to the early 1840s, and movements have developed in a variety of time periods, regions or causes. Activism started in the year 1848 for Women's Suffrage Movement where it took place in New York to fight for women's right to vote and equality (Hayward, 2018). Then Abolitionist Movement took place in the United States to ban slavery and set free all enslaved people. These historical events then create a dynamic and evolving force to shape the world that we live in. The methods and strategies of activism and protests may have changed over the years, but their fundamental goal is still to transform society.

Social media activists

As of 2023, 65.7 percent of the world's population have access to the internet which is about 5.3 billion users, and 4.95 billion of them are social media users (Petrosyan, 2023). With the amount of users we have today, social media activists plays a huge role in shaping public discourse and advocating for various causes such in public health, education, human rights, equality and etc.

How might activists use social media in the future??

In the future, it is likely that activists will continue to use social media to gain visibility and use new platforms or features to emerge. In order to capture attention and emphasize the urgency of societal challenges, audiovisual content, video streaming or immersive technologies can play an increasingly important role.

Visibility and Amplification

Activists will continue to use social media as a way of getting their message out, using newer platforms or features that emerge. In order to gain attention and emphasize the urgency of societal issues, video content such as streaming or interactive technologies can play an increasing role.

Network Building

For even more engaging and effective collaboration, the use of advanced networking tools, Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Augmented Reality (AR) are also possible on social media for immersive storytelling and engagement. These tools could be used by activist organizations to organize and mobilize their supporters in innovative ways.

Digital Advocacy Campaigns

The power of activists to mobilize their support and pressure institutions lies in the hashtag campaign and online petitions. These hashtags are create and promote to start or contribute to movements, making it easier for people to find and engage with related content. Digital lobbying efforts are also important tools for activist mobilization. In order to secure and transparent digital action, activists can use emerging technologies such as blockchain. Immersive campaigns that give rise to empathy and understanding can be created by the use of VR experiences.

Interactive Campaigns

In order to achieve a coherent and broad impact, in the form of gamification or Virtual events, which can increase participation and involvement, future activism could include more active campaigns by integrating seamlessly across different social media platforms.

Global Connectivity

Social media could be used more widely in the field of activist collaboration, such as providing a platform for activists to connect around the world, facilitating the sharing of ideas, strategies and support, with platforms specifically designed for networking and coordination between different movements. International attention and support can be rapidly gained for movements that might have begun in one region.

To Conclude

Activists are likely to respond to new opportunities and seek inventive ways of leveraging these tools in order to make a lasting difference as the evolution of social media is ongoing. Nevertheless, there are also need to address effectively and ethically the problems of bias, censorship or potential online harassment when using social media for activist activities. However, cooperation between activist groups, and users can work together for deal with these challenges.

References

Nancy H. (2018) A Short History of Activism https://www.womenshistory.org/resources/general/short-history-activism

Ani P. (2023) Number of internet and social media users worldwide as of October 2023 https://www.statista.com/statistics/617136/digital-population-worldwide/#:~:text=Worldwide%20digital%20population%202023&text=As%20of%20October%202023%2C%20there,population%2C%20were%20social%20media%20users.

MasterClass (2022) Social Activism Overview: How to Get Involved in Social Activism https://www.masterclass.com/articles/social-activism

Eleanor B. (2023) What is Activism: Definition, Types, Role, Examples, Importance https://www.liberties.eu/en/stories/activism/44871

Doddz. (2023) How to Leverage Augmented Reality for Brand Awareness https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-leverage-augmented-reality-brand-awareness-doddz-#:~:text=By%20creating%20immersive%20experiences%2C%20increasing,out%20in%20a%20crowded%20marketplace.

#week 6 #digital communities #digital citizenship #activism #protest #MDA20009 #educationalpurposes #social media #campaigns #blogging

[cosmicanger]

The Problem with “Conflict Minerals”

In the early 2000s, activists began to campaign against the extraction of “conflict minerals.” Today, violence continues unabated in eastern Congo, underscoring the misguided frameworks governing transnational intervention.

Josaphat Musamba and Christoph Vogel ▪ October 21, 2021

In the early 2000s, activists began to campaign against the extraction of “conflict minerals”—a catchall term for gold and the “three Ts” (tin, tantalum, and tungsten) originating from war zones in eastern Congo. NGO and UN investigations suggested that these “digital minerals,” used in high-end tech products, were driving violent conflict. The conflict minerals paradigm emerged during an unprecedented rise in the global demand for tantalum around the turn of the millennium, which pushed east Congolese workers and transnational traders to mine for coltan (the mineral from which tantalum is extracted). While armed conflicts had taken hold of the region in the aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, violent extraction briefly became the lynchpin of the wars around 2000.

Activist groups painted the Democratic Republic of the Congo as home to a brutal resource war and spotlighted the children and women who suffered exploitation, sexual violence, and death in what one former senior UN official called the “rape capital of the world.” In response to conflict mineral campaigns, governments and international organizations enacted regulations to satisfy consumer demand for gadgets that were produced, supposedly, without sexual violence and war crimes.

In the United States, a draft law against conflict minerals was recycled into the 2010 Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, better known as Dodd-Frank; its Section 1502 obliged U.S.-listed companies to report conflict minerals in their supply chains, pressuring Congo’s then-President Joseph Kabila to declare a six-month ban on artisanal mining (mining done on a small scale outside the supervision of a mining company). Congo’s miners—who refer to the legislation as Obama’s law—suffered under the ban on their livelihoods. Still, the European Union followed suit with its own legislation, finally adopted this year. Like the U.S. law, it draws from OECD due diligence guidelines for companies, which have been continuously developed since 2010. Under pressure from these laws and guidelines, international industry ramped up efforts to create supply chain oversight systems. Alongside regional initiatives such as the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the world’s largest tin lobby outfit, ITA (formerly known as ITRI), developed iTSCi, a program to trace shipments “from mines to markets,” which has been operating in eastern Congo since 2012.

The iTSCi program and similar initiatives started from the assumption that mineral demand had caused armed conflict to erupt. But while the minerals played a role, the wars in eastern Congo were rooted in multiple exogenous and endogenous factors: a mixture of geopolitical conditions triggered the late 1990s wars, which merged with preexisting and overlapping conflicts over land and citizenship in what was then eastern Zaire. Mining was just one way armed groups generated revenue to pursue their goals after the wars had already begun. But major nonprofits focused on the issue to the exclusion of other factors. The Washington-based Enough Project, for example, invested more time lobbying about the trade on U.S. campuses than investigating it in the Congo.

While activist campaigns on conflict minerals have waned, their legacy lives on in ways that adversely affect the lives of Congolese people in mining regions. Programs for “conflict-free” sourcing were beset by a blind eye to local complexities, single-issue advocacy for Western audiences, and the mismatch between humanitarian justification, consumer-oriented advocacy, and profit-driven reform. Transnational activists trafficked in imagery of sub-Saharan Africa that reproduced colonial ideas of endemic brutality and the need for rescue. Today, despite the mushrooming landscape of “clean sourcing” projects, violence continues unabated in eastern Congo, underscoring the misguided frameworks governing transnational intervention.

Realities on the Ground

The fight against conflict minerals became a prime example of what Teju Cole has called the “white-savior industrial complex”—efforts that make activists in wealthy countries feel good but fail to consider “the idea that those who are being helped ought to be consulted over the matters that concern them.” If asked, a petty trader might say she deplores how the war eroded non-mining livelihoods, or how the violent exploitation of minerals helped entrench a climate of impunity. She might add that her business, and thus the schooling and healthcare of her children, suffers from the unpredictability of illegal taxation and random extortion. She might also express regret that the rise of mining in eastern Congo’s local economies has replaced subsistence with dependence.

How, then, should these problems be addressed? A Western campaigner may suggest sanctions and bans alongside initiatives to address fraud or informality. Congolese activists and miners have their own recommendations and analyses.

Poverty Pricing

In early 2014, we first visited one of the Congolese mines operating under the new, supposedly clean iTSCi scheme, which promised to trace bags of raw minerals from pit to exportation. The ICGLR, inspired by the OECD guidelines, would certify these exports as conflict-free. The new system, however, which focuses on the Congolese part of the supply chain, does not account for the transnational political economy of minerals, including global pricing.

In countless discussions, Congolese miners told us how they struggled to master the logic of international price fluctuations in major trading hubs such as the London Metal Exchange (LME). Corporate stakeholders in the new system (Congolese trading houses, middlepersons, smelting companies, and end users such as Apple and Boeing) bank on this asymmetry of information—differentiated access to knowledge, in addition to buyer leverage in a single, closed-circuit, legal supply chain—to impose artificially low prices.

As a result, Congolese mining communities lack the capacity to represent their interests through collective action. An elder we met who had been in the business for decades illustrated the problem for us: while his community had suffered from armed occupation and violence during the 1996–2003 Congo wars, the influx of initiatives to combat conflict minerals and reform the mineral trade led to local prices that were lower than what rebel groups had previously imposed.

Two years later, we carried out a survey in different mines and found that access to education and health had on average decreased between his generation and that of his children. A recent study confirmed that finding, highlighting that artisanal mining revenues remain largely insufficient to cover basic needs. Physical, armed violence had been replaced by structural violence that even more directly endangered the livelihoods of Congolese mining communities.

Women’s Initiatives

International campaigns framed the correlation of rape, violence, and mining as a causal relationship. Yet there is growing evidence of domestic violence and abuse in the context of sex work around the mines, with very different dynamics than the portrayal of sexual violence as stemming directly from greedy warlords who drive a violent mineral trade.

This oversimplification was symptomatic of a broader problem. International advocacy against gender-based violence denied the agency of the women in question. In late 2012, we met with representatives of a local women’s association in eastern Congo. The women we spoke to were unimpressed by high-profile international campaigns featuring Hollywood celebrities, and they bitterly remarked that their own voices and actions were rarely taken into account. Early in the Congo wars, some of them had organized marches to Kigali and Kampala, the capitals of neighboring Uganda and Rwanda, whose interference was a key factor in the wars of the 1990s. The aim of the marches was to submit petitions against the abuse of Congolese women by foreign belligerents. At the end of the conversation, one woman asked us why foreigners kept coming to Congo to take pictures while their own initiatives received little to no recognition.

Conservation

In mid-2018, we spoke at length to a Congolese analyst who had dedicated years of research on the debate around Virunga National Park. Created as a colonial institution in 1925, the park is today a flagship for nature conservation, with a particular emphasis on protecting Congo’s mountain gorillas from extinction. However, adjacent communities face displacement for encroaching on the park’s contested boundaries; some have ancestral land claims, and many are living subsistence lifestyles involving farming, charcoal production, and poaching. While the park’s heavy-handed militarized approach does generate controversy, its ambitions are also justified every now and then by invoking the conflict minerals paradigm. Yet there are no relevant mines inside the park; the most prominent rebel groups threatening its integrity as a preserve have either never resorted to mining to finance conflict or never done so inside the park. When we asked the analyst why conservation advocates still kept the conflict minerals narrative holstered in their campaign arsenals, he asked in return why we would not seek answers outside Congo. It wasn’t local reality but rather foreign advocacy that linked conservation with conflict minerals.

Technical Fixes

International campaigners singled out conflict minerals as the ultimate explanation for war in the Congo and declared transnational regulation to be the prime peacebuilding policy. The struggle against conflict minerals took the shape of a mission civilisatrice with neoliberal characteristics. The Congolese conflicts were perceived as savage, mindless violence driven by pure greed; the response to this problem was marketization and development.

Transnational regulations of conflict minerals were implemented in places imagined as unruly or empty. But they were in fact highly organized already—and, unsurprisingly, the imposition of rules in spaces where governance is contested led to backlash and resistance, putting at peril the policy goals of those rules. The efforts to source responsibly were rendered incomplete at best and counterproductive at worst.

The case of iTSCi, the corporate tracing scheme set up by the international tin lobby, is illustrative. The lobby stepped into a field devoid of policy (responsible sourcing) but full of competing, contested orders (local mining governance). iTSCi attempted to override these problems by hammering out an exclusive deal with the Congolese government, establishing a monopoly over the legal sourcing of tin, tantalum, and tungsten. On the ground, however, iTSCi was captured by operators rebranding themselves as social entrepreneurs and state bureaucrats who invented new forms of taxation that burdened local producers. iTSCi ended up “substituting upward for downward accountability”—not entirely unlike the World Bank’s structural adjustment programs decades ago, which punished those with the least decision-making power with the harshest austerity. The program took the shape of private indirect government, operating with little public oversight; at one point the Congolese government had to request its statistics from iTSCi because it lacked formal access to them. iTSCi forged a buyer-end monopoly geared at total market control. Mines incorporated into the new traceable supply chain saw buyer-imposed prices, while other mines—no matter whether conflict-affected or not—were de facto excluded from legal trade.

Technical shortcomings also undermined the effectiveness of mineral traceability. Despite its aim to tackle fraud in digital minerals, iTSCi itself is not very digital; it relies on barcoded tags to manually control the itinerary of shipments. Oversight has been outsourced to sparsely equipped and understaffed teams of its NGO partner Pact and under – or unpaid Congolese civil servants. This backfired: fraud and contamination became commonplace, entangling the dream of conflict-free minerals with the very conflict economies it set out to dismantle. Congolese miners and small-scale intermediary traders struggled with either monopoly or exclusion. As one local trader told us in 2014, “Selling to iTSCi is like flushing [minerals] down the toilet.”

New Violence

The transnational reforms have failed to stop the violence that led to their creation, despite the scale of the interventions. In some cases, they have created fresh conflicts. Almost ten years after the first timid pilot projects tested iTSCi’s bagging-and-tagging procedure in Mayi Baridi, Kisengo, and Nyabibwe—three small mining areas in eastern Congo—the impact on security is close to nil. The number of armed groups has risen steadily over the past decade, from thirty to forty when iTSCi kicked in to over a hundred in 2021, as have incidents of violence and human rights violations. During field research in 2015, we met militiamen guarding mining pits in a remote mountainous area. In interviews, they told us how they had been escorting iTSCi’s recent audit. In another mining area, iTSCi operations have coexisted with regular incidents of homicide and violent dispossession for years. Moreover, iTSCi’s record of preventing, detecting, and sanctioning fraud, including armed actors in mining as well as in taxing minerals along trade routes, is streaky at best. In the slipstream of reforms, mining kingpins and middlepersons mastered the art of recycling their reputations. By paying lip service to humanitarian ideals, they were absorbed into “conflict-free” trade.

Even if advocates and policymakers admit in private that resolving conflict in eastern Congo will require more than just rendering the mineral trade more transparent, many public pitches on the topic still allude to solving the conflict minerals issue as the silver bullet for peace in the region. This is both misleading towards the broader public and factually wrong: many armed groups that coexisted with communities in relative peace resorted to more ambushes and looting as they lost access to minerals.

Unresolved Problems

Ever since Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act was enacted, most U.S. publicly listed companies and their suppliers submitted their conflict minerals reports either late or not at all. Then in May 2018, President Donald Trump signed a temporary suspension of a number of the act’s provisions, including Section 1502. Trump’s reversal of the regulations was not driven by any concern about the livelihoods of Congolese miners but by the purely commercial interests of American companies. It was yet another missed opportunity for progressive policy in transnational trade and peacebuilding. As much as Section 1502 itself suffered from an unrealistic assessment of the real dynamics affecting the trade, its dismissal by Trump is unlikely to have positive effects in the Congo.

In January 2019, the Congo saw its first peaceful transfer of power since independence. Following an election widely seen as rigged, Félix Tshisekedi took over from Joseph Kabila. After a year marked by political infighting in the coalition government between Tshisekedi’s and Kabila’s parliamentary blocs, the new president has since mid-2020 made bold moves to curtail his predecessor’s influence on key institutions such as the Supreme Court, the National Assembly, and the Senate. Conflict and insecurity in eastern Congo have not been affected by these broader political developments, in part because the political battles at the national level siphoned off nearly all attention by major stakeholders. Eastern Congo’s artisanal mining sector also continues to suffer from neglect because the country’s political economy remains mostly focused on the much larger copper and cobalt sectors in the south.

After renewed peaks in attacks and forced displacement in eastern Congo in early 2021, the central government declared a state of siege, replacing civilian administrations in two provinces (North Kivu and Ituri) with military governors. Meanwhile, a third conflict-affected province, South Kivu, is the scene of a multilayered war involving foreign proxy forces from Burundi and Rwanda as well as Congolese rebel groups. Because market-oriented reforms such as iTSCi have not helped tackle the underlying conditions, military government and foreign intervention risk perpetuating violence rather than halting it.

The case of conflict minerals poses questions about how global supply chain capitalism, conflict resolution, and consumer ethics intersect with postcolonial friction and violence. “Conflict-free” supply chains are often Potemkin-style façade institutions that rest on flat, binary readings of international development. These regimes appear to be more visible to outside interveners than Congolese decision-makers, who pay attention for as long as they are not busier with other politics. Both international and Congolese interveners and elites, however, have contributed to simplistic and misleading imageries of the problem and its solution, in a quest for a quick and seemingly hands-on, human rights–inspired PR operation.

The reality in eastern Congo is more ambiguous and volatile than its depiction in conflict mineral campaigns. Wrapping up a yearslong research project in 2018, we organized a conference with our interlocutors in Bukavu, one of eastern Congo’s main cities. Both Congolese mining clerks and iTSCi representatives took part. At one point in the discussions, a miner stood up and showed us his hands—visibly tanned from decades of hard work—and gave a testimony on how transnational reform and “ethical sourcing” had eroded his subsistence livelihood. In closing, all he asked for was a fair system and, more broadly, for respect.

#free congo #congo #dr congo #theory #long reads

[faysalahmed]

Stakeholders In A Company

In a business context, stakeholders are individuals, groups, or entities that have an interest or concern in the activities, operations, and outcomes of a company. They can significantly impact or be impacted by the company's actions and decisions. Stakeholders can be both internal and external to the organization and play various roles. Here are common types of stakeholders in a company:

Shareholders/Owners: These are individuals or entities that hold ownership shares in the company. They have a financial stake in the organization's success and are typically concerned with returns on their investments.

Employees: Employees are a vital internal stakeholder group. They are concerned with job security, career growth, compensation, and the overall work environment. Their productivity and well-being can directly impact the company's performance.

Customers: Customers are external stakeholders who purchase the company's products or services. Their satisfaction, loyalty, and feedback are critical to the company's success and reputation.

Suppliers: Suppliers provide the necessary goods and services for the company's operations. They have an interest in the company's stability, growth, and ability to honor contracts and pay bills.

Creditors and Lenders: Organizations that provide loans or credit to the company are stakeholders. They are concerned with the company's ability to meet its financial obligations, including repaying loans and interest.

Government and Regulatory Bodies: Government agencies, regulatory authorities, and legislative bodies can impact the company through laws, regulations, taxes, and compliance requirements.

Competitors: Competing firms are external stakeholders who can influence the company's competitive positioning and market share. Understanding competitors' strategies and actions is essential.

Community and Society: The local community and society at large can be stakeholders, especially if the company's operations have social or environmental impacts. Companies often have corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to address community concerns.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): NGOs may advocate for specific causes or issues, and they can exert pressure on companies to align with their values and practices.

Media and Public Opinion: Media outlets and public perception can shape a company's reputation. Managing public relations and responding to media coverage are critical for companies.

Board of Directors: The board of directors is responsible for overseeing the company's management on behalf of shareholders. They play a critical role in decision-making and corporate governance.

Investors and Analysts: Individuals and organizations that analyze the company's financial performance and prospects, such as financial analysts, play a role in shaping investor sentiment.

Trade Unions and Employee Associations: These represent the interests of specific groups of employees and can influence labor negotiations and workplace conditions.

Environmental and Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on environmental issues and advocacy can impact companies through lobbying, public awareness campaigns, and legal actions.

Understanding and managing the needs, concerns, and expectations of these various stakeholders is essential for a company's long-term success and reputation. Effective stakeholder management involves engaging with these groups, addressing their interests, and ensuring that the company's actions align with its stated values and objectives.

#Understanding the Importance of Corporate Strategy

[annphanh]

CONSEQUENCES FOR CRIME

Sentencing reductions in New Zealand come in different forms, such as parole, remission for good behavior, home detention, and community-based penalties. These policies aim to find a balance between punishment, deterrence, and rehabilitation, while also ensuring public safety. When offenders are released, they may have some restrictions, like electronic monitoring, and the impact of victim statements can influence sentencing decisions.

The legal basis for these policies is the Sentencing Act of 2002, which highlights values like community protection, offender accountability, and fair punishments based on the severity of the offense. It's important to stay updated on the current legislation and guidelines, as the approach to sentencing reductions and criminal justice policies in New Zealand may evolve over time.

Currently, this is a topic of great political debate, with the National Party proposing stricter punishments to address the crime situation in Aotearoa. Their policy includes placing a maximum limit on sentence reductions, implementing harsher terms for convicted criminals, providing increased support for victims, and ensuring proper rehabilitation for remand prisoners (Luxon, 2023). This proposal has sparked various arguments, and I'll share some of them with you.

The government has taken some steps recently to lower the number of people in prison, like using more home detention and community sentencing. These measures, though, haven't been enough to offset the growing number of people being sent to prison. So, New Zealand's prisons keep getting bigger, and now the country has one of the highest incarceration rates in the OECD. This is especially concerning because Māori and Pacific Islanders are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. (Ministry of Justice, 2022)

There are a bunch of things that people say contribute to this high rate of putting people in jail in Aotearoa. Some potential good things that could happen are: making sure that there's less room for judges to decide things on their own, so that similar cases get treated the same way. And maybe this could help reduce the chance of unfairness or discrimination in sentencing. Also, when judges have less discretion, the justice system becomes more open and accountable, because judges have to follow the rules that are already set. Maybe the National Party has a point?

But there are also negative things and responses to what the National Party is proposing. For example, Labour has spoken out and said that National's policy has been used over and over again for many years. (Ensor, 2023) Plus, National got criticised for not thinking about how much it costs to keep people in the correction system.

The formulation of sentencing policies is heavily influenced by political discussions. These conversations happen in various settings, from media outlets to legislative chambers, and they have a big impact on the development and modification of sentencing laws. Cases or incidents that are reported publicly and catch the public's attention often lead to intense political debates. When the public raises concerns about perceived injustices in sentencing, politicians may feel pressured to examine and revise current policies. Advocacy and interest groups with different perspectives can greatly influence the direction of sentencing policies and contribute to these political conversations through lobbying and advocacy efforts.

With that being said, when we limit judges' discretion in sentencing, it can have a big impact on Māori and Pasifika communities because they are considered to be overrepresented in the system. By reducing judges' discretion, it may mean that they are unable to take into account cultural aspects that have an impact on the rehabilitation and reintegration of indigenous Māori into society, such as their connections to their land and community. This can lead to a one-size-fits-all approach to sentencing that doesn't address the unique circumstances and needs of Māori and Pasifika offenders, which can potentially continue the cycles of reoffending and marginalization within these communities. Additionally, when we limit judges' discretion, it may undermine the principles of restorative justice, which prioritize healing and reconciliation over punitive measures, and this can further worsen the unfairness faced by indigenous populations in the criminal justice system. (Tauri, n.d.)

Public opinion plays a big role in shaping decisions on sentencing policies. When policymakers make choices about which direction to take with policies, they often take into account what the general public thinks and wants. It's important for sentencing policies to align with public sentiment because it can greatly improve the chances of getting re-elected for politicians. Surveys and polls are key in figuring out what the public thinks about sentencing issues, and they give policymakers important data to help them make decisions. Public sentiment can also push for changes in the criminal justice system. When people are worried about things like mass incarceration, racial disparities in sentencing, and whether or not the current sentencing policies actually work, they can put pressure on lawmakers to make real changes. For example, if surveys show that people are really unhappy with how the sentencing system is working, elected officials might feel like they have to do something about it in order to keep the support of the public. On top of that, public sentiment can also influence how resources are allocated. Instead of only focusing on punishment, people's opinions can help guide the allocation of resources towards programs that focus on rehabilitation as an alternative.

Ideologies of political parties have a big impact on strategies to reduce sentences. Policies about sentencing are heavily influenced by the ideology of the coalition or party in power. Conservative political ideologies often stress the importance of maintaining law and order and promote strict guidelines for sentencing as a deterrent. They might be against reducing sentences and prefer a "tough on crime" approach. On the other hand, progressive or liberal parties focus more on reducing sentences and implementing rehabilitation programs. Their main concerns usually revolve around prison overcrowding, racial disparities in sentencing, and the human toll of harsh sentencing guidelines. Sometimes, bipartisan collaboration can lead to improvements in sentencing that bridge conservative and liberal philosophies. Initiatives for criminal justice reform, particularly those related to mandatory minimum sentences and alternatives (Travis et al., 2014).

With a bunch of different opinions and arguments for and against the policy that I've mentioned, the talk about reducing sentences in New Zealand can get pretty complicated and nuanced. Some people say that reducing sentences might result in punishments that don't really show how serious the crime was and make people lose faith in the legal system. On the other hand, some folks believe that it can help with restorative justice and rehabilitating offenders.

#Te Waha Rangatahi

[progressivepolitics-blog]

Title: Progressive Activism: Nurturing Social Change for a Just Future:

By; Rev . Alexander JS Heidenreich

Presidential candidate 2024

Introduction:

Progressive activism stands as a powerful force in contemporary society, advocating for social, political, and economic change to address systemic injustices. Rooted in the principles of equality, justice, and human rights, progressive activists strive to challenge and transform existing power structures. This paper explores the essence of progressive activism, its objectives, strategies, and the impact it has had on shaping a more equitable and inclusive world.

1. Objectives of Progressive Activism:

At the heart of progressive activism lie a range of interconnected objectives aimed at creating a more just and compassionate society. These objectives often include advocating for social equality, dismantling oppressive systems, promoting environmental sustainability, defending human rights, challenging economic disparities, and fostering inclusive governance. Progressive activists seek to address various issues such as racial and gender inequality, climate change, income disparities, LGBTQ+ rights, and access to healthcare and education.

2. Strategies of Progressive Activism:

Progressive activists employ a diverse array of strategies to bring about change. Grassroots organizing, community mobilization, and coalition building are common approaches used to amplify collective voices and create a broader movement for social transformation. Activists engage in public demonstrations, protests, and civil disobedience to raise awareness, challenge the status quo, and pressure policymakers and institutions to address pressing concerns. Progressive activism also involves lobbying, advocacy, and legal challenges to effect policy changes and protect marginalized communities.

3. Impact on Social Change:

Progressive activism has played a pivotal role in shaping the course of history and driving significant social change. Throughout the years, it has been instrumental in achieving landmark advancements, such as civil rights, women's suffrage, labor rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental conservation. By mobilizing public opinion, raising awareness, and demanding accountability, progressive activists have influenced public discourse and pushed for legislative reforms. Their efforts have brought about increased inclusivity, expanded rights, and greater social justice.

4. Intersectionality and Inclusivity:

A key strength of progressive activism lies in its commitment to intersectionality and inclusivity. Recognizing that various forms of oppression are interconnected, progressive activists strive to address the overlapping nature of discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, class, and other social identities. By acknowledging these intersections, activists work to build alliances and solidarity across diverse communities, ensuring that the movement is inclusive and representative of the experiences and needs of all marginalized groups.

5. Challenges and Future Outlook:

Progressive activism faces several challenges in its pursuit of social change. Resistance from entrenched power structures, political polarization, and the co-option of movements pose significant hurdles. Activists also grapple with issues of internal divisions, maintaining momentum, and sustaining long-term impact. However, progressive activism continues to evolve, adapt, and respond to emerging challenges. By harnessing the power of social media, grassroots organizing, and strategic alliances, activists are creating new avenues for engagement and influencing public opinion.

Conclusion:

Progressive activism embodies a spirit of resilience, hope, and a commitment to a more just and equitable future. Through its objectives, strategies, and impact, progressive activism has challenged societal norms, transformed public discourse, and contributed to significant advancements in human rights, social justice, and environmental sustainability. As the world grapples with persistent inequalities and pressing global challenges, progressive activism remains an essential catalyst for positive change, inspiring individuals and communities to work together towards a more inclusive, compassionate, and fair society.

Progressive Activist party

#progressiveactivist #progressiveactivistparty

[topratedlobbyingfirmideas]

Lobbying Firms - Benefits and Disadvantages

Before you hire a lobbying firm, you should carefully assess their skills, experience, and background. Ask questions regarding their experience in your industry, and whether they have worked with legislators or their staff in the past. Find out what issues they have lobbied on, and whether they have been in touch with the Governor's office. Before hiring a lobbying firm, you should carefully consider the terms of the contract. You should not feel pressured to hire a firm because it is too expensive.

While lobbying firms have the ability to make your company's agenda a reality, they also have a role in your business strategy. They serve as your guides and mentors. Take the Occupy Wall Street protest, for example. One lobbying firm helped organize the movement by preparing a memo for its clients that warned that Republicans would turn their backs on big banks. This memo proved to be very effective, and many protestors have subsequently opted to hire a lobbying firm.

While lobbying firms can influence legislation, some firms retain clients outside of their lobbying practice. These clients include advocacy groups, trade associations, companies, and state and local governments. Some firms also retain their own clients. The goal of these firms is to influence the policies of government officials, especially those who are in positions of power. Moreover, lobbyists can even be politicians themselves. They can even influence legislation for their clients. Despite the negative perception, the effectiveness of lobbying is highly valued by governments and companies, use this resource to learn more on the subject.

While the benefits of a lobbying firm are many, the process is also time-consuming. It takes years of building personal relationships with influential politicians.

The federal government requires firms to publish their lobbying expenditures quarterly. While the salaries of national-level lobbyists in Washington are the highest, many lobbyists earn hefty salaries at the state level. However, these salaries are not for everyone.

Many of the same concerns about foreign-funded lobbying firms have been raised in Congress. However, the Lobbyist Disclosure Act, updated in 1997, does not do much to remedy the problems. A recent example involves Alibaba, a Chinese firm that lobbied against Democratic efforts to limit campaign spending. Lobbying by foreign-owned subsidiaries of multinational firms has been a controversial issue. Alibaba recently hired a lobbying firm in Washington to lobby against a Democratic effort to limit campaign spending.

While the majority of lobbying is conducted on behalf of business and professional interests, some utah lobbyist firms represent nonprofits on a pro bono basis. They meet legislators at events and interact with staff members. Inside lobbying, or direct lobbying, is when a lobbyist contacts a legislator directly or through his or her assistant. While an outside lobbying effort is a rare occurrence, it may include Federalist Papers or similar publications. Check out this post that has expounded on the topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advocacy_group.

[ronaldlbook]

The Dynamic Intersection of Government Law & Lobbying: State Legislative Lobbying and Coalitions Around Key Policy Issues

Lobbying has long been an integral part of the political landscape in the United States. It involves individuals, groups, or organizations advocating for their interests, shaping policy decisions, and influencing legislation. Within this sphere of influence, state legislative lobbying takes center stage as it navigates the intricacies of government law while building coalitions to advance key policy issues.

The Art of State Legislative Lobbying

State legislatures play a pivotal role in shaping the policies that directly impact the lives of Americans. State governments have significant authority in education, healthcare, environmental regulations, and criminal justice reform. Lobbying at the state level aims to guide these decisions by actively engaging with lawmakers, agencies, and the broader public.

State legislative lobbying involves several crucial elements:

Policy Advocacy

Lobbyists at the state level focus on advocating for or against specific policies. They work to shape legislation, draft bills, and propose amendments that align with their clients' interests. Successful lobbying can lead to the introduction of bills, revisions to existing laws, or the defeat of unfavorable legislation.

Coalition Building

To maximize their influence, lobbyists often form coalitions around crucial policy issues. These coalitions bring together diverse stakeholders, including businesses, advocacy groups, nonprofits, and community organizations. Working collaboratively, they pool resources, share expertise, and present a unified front to policymakers.

Grassroots Mobilization

Lobbyists leverage grassroots efforts to generate public support for their causes. This can involve organizing rallies, public hearings, letter-writing campaigns, and engaging constituents to communicate their views to lawmakers. Grassroots mobilization adds a crucial layer of public pressure to legislative efforts.

 Legal Expertise

Understanding government law is essential for effective lobbying. Lobbyists must navigate the legislative process, stay informed about regulatory changes, and ensure their efforts comply with legal requirements. Legal expertise is particularly crucial in addressing potential ethics or compliance issues.

The Role of Government Law

Government law serves as the framework within which lobbying operates. It encompasses rules, regulations, and ethical guidelines that govern the interactions between lobbyists, lawmakers, and government institutions. Lobbyists must understand and adhere to government law to maintain transparency, accountability, and ethical standards in their activities.

Critical aspects of government law that influence state legislative lobbying include:

Lobbying Registration and Disclosure

Many states require lobbyists to register with relevant authorities and disclose their activities, including clients, expenditures, and legislative targets. This transparency allows the public to track lobbying efforts and identify potential conflicts of interest.

Campaign Finance Regulations

Campaign contributions and political donations are subject to strict regulations in many states. Lobbyists must navigate these rules to ensure their financial support for candidates and political parties remains within legal limits.

 Ethical Standards

Lobbyists are often held to high ethical standards. Violations, such as bribery or undue influence, can result in legal consequences. Government law sets forth guidelines to maintain the integrity of lobbying practices.

Conflict of Interest Rules

Government law may restrict lobbyists who previously held public office or government positions to prevent conflicts of interest. These rules ensure lobbying activities do not compromise the public interest.

Building Coalitions for Impact

One of the most potent strategies in state legislative lobbying is the formation of coalitions. Coalitions are alliances of diverse organizations and individuals who share a common interest or policy goal. By coming together, these groups amplify their voices and pool resources to achieve their objectives.

Benefits of Coalitions in Lobbying

Strength in Numbers: Coalitions bring together various stakeholders with varied expertise and resources. This collective power can be more influential than individual efforts.

Expertise Sharing: Different coalition members often bring unique perspectives and specialized knowledge. This allows for well-informed policy proposals and strategies.

Diverse Representation: Coalitions can include businesses, nonprofits, advocacy groups, community organizations, and more. This diversity reflects the broad impact of policies and helps ensure that the interests of various communities are considered.

Unified Messaging: A coalition can develop a clear and consistent message to present to legislators and the public. This cohesion enhances their ability to convey the importance of their policy goals.

Grassroots Mobilization: Coalitions can mobilize supporters on a large scale, organizing rallies, letter-writing campaigns, and public awareness initiatives. Grassroots efforts create a groundswell of support for legislative changes.

Case Study: The Fight for Environmental Regulations

Consider a coalition advocating for stricter environmental regulations at the state level. This coalition may include environmental nonprofits, renewable energy companies, concerned citizens, and scientific experts. Together, they aim to influence legislation that addresses climate change and reduces pollution.

By pooling their resources, the coalition conducts research, runs public awareness campaigns, and engages in direct lobbying efforts. They present a united front to lawmakers, emphasizing stronger regulations' economic, health, and environmental benefits. Grassroots mobilization encourages citizens to contact their legislators, attend hearings, and support the proposed policies.

Through strategic coalition-building and lobbying efforts, this group can significantly impact shaping environmental policy at the state level.

The Ethical Imperative

While lobbying and coalition-building are legitimate and essential to the democratic process, they must be conducted ethically and transparently. Government law sets the foundation for ethical lobbying practices, but it is incumbent upon lobbyists and their clients to adhere to these standards rigorously.

Ethical Considerations in Lobbying

Transparency: Lobbyists should be transparent about their clients, activities, and financial relationships. Disclosing potential conflicts of interest is critical to maintaining public trust.

Honesty: Lobbyists should provide accurate information to policymakers and the public. Misrepresentation or manipulation can lead to ethical breaches.

Respect for the Legislative Process: Lobbyists should respect the legislative process and the authority of elected officials. Attempts to bypass or undermine the process can erode trust in government.

Accountability: Lobbyists and their clients should be accountable for their actions. Violations of government law or ethical standards should have consequences.

State legislative lobbying is a complex and influential part of the American political landscape. It combines the art of advocacy with a deep understanding of government law, all while leveraging coalitions to drive change. Lobbyists, coalition members, and policymakers must navigate this terrain with integrity, ensuring that their efforts benefit the public interest and maintain the integrity of the democratic process.

As lobbyists and coalitions continue to shape state policies, their role in democracy will remain essential. By adhering to government law and ethical standards, they can help create a more transparent, accountable, and responsive government that effectively addresses the needs and concerns of the people. In this dynamic intersection of government law and lobbying, the future of state policy-making will be shaped, one key issue at a time.