Aglaya had the chance to work on this goal as a participant of the AUBG Advocacy Academy, in partnership with the Bulgarian Entrepreneurial Association (BESCO), during the spring of 2024.
Read more about her takeaways in her story below:
Personal impressions
As an attorney, I thought I understood advocacy. My work involved defending clients, building cases, and presenting arguments. However, joining the Advocacy Academy revealed a broader, more dynamic form of advocacy—championing social causes, influencing public policy, and mobilizing community support. Legal advocacy operates within defined rules, while classical advocacy requires skills like coalition building, community organizing, and strategic campaigning.
The academy’s workshops opened my eyes to new approaches highlighting the importance of teamwork, a clear vision, and persistence.
By the end of the academic program, my perspective had profoundly changed. Advocacy is no longer just an extension of my legal work but a complementary field. The skills I gained enriched my practice, enabling me to engage in policy discussions and advocate for systemic changes benefiting the broader community.
The Advocacy Academy transformed my understanding of advocacy, teaching me that it thrives in the hearts and minds of those committed to making a difference. For any lawyer questioning the need for advocacy training, my answer remains a Yes.
Takeaways
The skills and knowledge gained from the Advocacy Academy are directly enhancing my effectiveness as a lawyer and President of Consumer Legal Clinic. By applying advanced communication, data analysis, and networking strategies, I am better equipped to advocate for consumers and foster meaningful collaborations that drive positive change.
One of the key takeaways from the Academy is the importance of strategic communication and negotiation. In my recent meeting with the Chairperson of the Consumer Protection Commission, I utilized these skills to address pressing consumer issues and outline potential areas for improving consumer protection.
Furthermore, the Advocacy Academy emphasized the significance of data-driven advocacy, and we will start compiling and analysing consumer complaint data to identify trends and address systemic issues more effectively. This approach will not only strengthen our legal arguments but also provide solid evidence when lobbying for regulatory changes.
Impact
Upon sharing my experiences in an Advocacy Academy, I was surprised that few of my acquaintances knew what advocacy means. They associated it with lobbying, often viewed negatively. This highlighted a significant gap in understanding the positive role advocates play in society. The Advocacy Academy equips participants with skills in strategic communication and planning, as well as coalition building. These tools empower them to effectively address societal issues and promote transparency, accountability, and civic engagement.
Popularizing the role of advocates is crucial as change-makers committed to improving society.
If every participant in the Advocacy Academy shares their knowledge and skills within their communities, the multiplication of advocacy efforts can foster a more engaged and informed civil society, holding the government accountable and ensuring that policies reflect the will and needs of the people.
The Advocacy Academy has the potential to bring positive change in Bulgaria by educating and empowering individuals, dedicated to advancing democratic values.
Highlights
Attending the Advocacy Academy provided numerous opportunities to network and collaborate with other leaders, significantly influencing my work both personally and professionally. Professionally, the formal and informal exchanges of knowledge were invaluable.
During structured sessions and casual discussions, I learned innovative strategies and best practices from other leaders in the field. For example, one conversation about community engagement techniques inspired me to implement similar strategies within the Consumer Legal Clinic. These techniques have the potential to significantly increase our outreach and impact.
Piece of advice
The Advocacy Academy offers a lot of knowledge from experts and actively engage participants in discussions, workshops, and networking events. Participating in the Advocacy Academy was a transformative experience to me, and I would highly recommend it to anyone passionate about making a difference in their community.
I would recommend the Advocacy Academy to individuals who are passionate about advocacy and leadership, especially those working in non-profit organizations or social justice initiatives, even to lawyers. This program is ideal for those who are committed to effecting positive change and are eager to enhance their skills and networks to amplify their impact.
