Critical Learnings: Advocating for Older People in Northern Ireland: Lessons and Action Steps

Traditional forms of advocacy in Northern Ireland have led to some key gains for older people but are no longer enough to secure change, according to this summary of an evaluation of advocacy work by ageing organisations funded by Atlantic.

Effective approaches in the past, such as gathering petitions, holding public protests and presenting demands to politicians are insufficient to ensure that older people, particularly those who are most vulnerable, obtain their rights, noted the evaluation by Brendan Murtagh.

Instead, Northern Ireland ageing organisations need to consider taking an approach to advocacy that emphasises legal challenges and sophisticated negotiations with government officials. This summary lists action steps that ageing organisations can take to improve their effectiveness in advocacy.

Atlantic commissioned this report and summary.