‘What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:8)
‘Courageous advocacy’ is the act of speaking out against an issue of injustice, often on behalf of those whose voice is not heard. Speaking out, at whatever level this takes place, requires an element (and sometimes a great deal) of courage! Becoming a courageous advocate for change, therefore, must involve being informed about an issue and it must move beyond simply knowing, to saying and doing.
Educating for courageous advocacy must embody an ethos of action-taking, challenging injustice and becoming agents of change in the transformation of ourselves, our relationships and our communities from the local level to the global.
Courageous Advocacy Guidance
For a fuller explanation and practical advice, see the Church of England Courageous Advocacy Guidance document
Courageous Advocacy Podcasts
You can find out more by listening to these podcasts in conversation with Caroline Weir, author of the Courageous Advocacy Guidance document.
CEFEL featured courageous advocacy in a Called, Connected, Committed mailout and in a podcast, in conversation with Emily Norman here.
The Diocese of St Albans Flourishing Together podcast, in conversation with Ryan Parker, can be found here.
Courageous Advocacy Resources
Christian Aid has a number of resources to support schools with their courageous advocacy work.
Christian Aid’s Global Neighbours accreditation scheme was developed to support schools to empower their pupils to be courageous advocates for justice.
Christian Aid has also collated some useful resources for schools wishing to deepen their commitment to anti-racism.
Schools may find the Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award helpful in supporting them to create opportunities for social action.