Advocacy Basics

My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government. . .

Government should be participatory. Public engagement enhances the Government's effectiveness and improves the quality of its decisions. Knowledge is widely dispersed in society, and public officials benefit from having access to that dispersed knowledge.

—President Barack Obama
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, January 21, 2009

The change that President Obama and his administration have pledged to bring affords us both the opportunity and the responsibility to raise awareness about the state of adult literacy in the nation. All kinds of groups, corporations, and individuals can—and do—advocate, educate and lobby. Adult educators and adult learners have irreplaceable wisdom and unique understanding of adult literacy. Adult learners may not always be ready or able to share their experiences with their legislators. Therefore, adult educators must be partners with adult learners, standing together to educate policymakers about the adult literacy issues we, as a nation, face.

Congress receives over 500 million communications from constituents each year. Adult literacy advocates are small in numbers compared to K-12 and higher education advocates. How can we be more effective in raising the priority of adult literacy with Congress? Let us work strategically. Let us work together. And let us involve more adult learners and allies and lift every voice for adult literacy.

What is the first step? Register to vote! How? Contact your local election office. Visit Project Vote Smart where you can search for your local election office by state and county.

Next, educate yourself. Learn more about the Legislative Process and ways to use your time wisely. Learn the Advocacy Leadership Process and how you can get involved.

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