Careers in Non-Profit > Advocacy And Social Organization > Overview

What is Advocacy And Social Organization?

Advocacy is the act of arguing on behalf of a particular issue, idea, person or animal. An advocate is someone who does this. Both the terms advocate and advocacy have specialist meanings in certain contexts, and among some groups. For instance:

In a legal/law context: An 'advocate' is the title of a specific person who is authorized/appointed (in some way) to speak on behalf of a person in a legal process. See advocate.

In a political context: An 'advocacy group' is an organized collection of people who seek to influence political decisions and policy, without seeking election to public office. See interest group.