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| Live Q&A: How can NGOs lobby effectively to impact the political agenda? | Live Q&A: How can NGOs lobby effectively to impact the political agenda? |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| After the UK became the first country in the G7 to adopt the long-standing UN target to spend 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid, the chancellor was in high spirits. | After the UK became the first country in the G7 to adopt the long-standing UN target to spend 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid, the chancellor was in high spirits. |
| “We should all take pride in this historic moment for the country,” said George Osborne as he delivered his budget statement to MPs. | “We should all take pride in this historic moment for the country,” said George Osborne as he delivered his budget statement to MPs. |
| The government’s spending commitment took years of lobbying from charities such as Christian Aid and Oxfam among others as well as campaign groups like the One Campaign and the Bond group of NGOs. In an age of countless e-petitions, publicity campaigns and street protests, it was a rare example of politicians and NGO staff working together to achieve a common objective. | The government’s spending commitment took years of lobbying from charities such as Christian Aid and Oxfam among others as well as campaign groups like the One Campaign and the Bond group of NGOs. In an age of countless e-petitions, publicity campaigns and street protests, it was a rare example of politicians and NGO staff working together to achieve a common objective. |
| But how can NGOs lobby governments effectively? How do you get access to decision-makers? What’s the most effective way to contact politicians? How do you persuade MPs to take up your cause? How do you pester an MP without irritating them? | But how can NGOs lobby governments effectively? How do you get access to decision-makers? What’s the most effective way to contact politicians? How do you persuade MPs to take up your cause? How do you pester an MP without irritating them? |
| And what about the dangers of getting too close to power? Does collaborating with politicians lead to an inevitable loss of effectiveness? | And what about the dangers of getting too close to power? Does collaborating with politicians lead to an inevitable loss of effectiveness? |
| With just over a month to go before the UK general election, join a team of experts to discuss how NGOs can get their ideas onto the political agenda on Thursday 2 April, 1-3pm BST. | With just over a month to go before the UK general election, join a team of experts to discuss how NGOs can get their ideas onto the political agenda on Thursday 2 April, 1-3pm BST. |
| The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). Get in touch via globaldevpros@theguardian.com or@GuardianGDP on Twitter to recommend someone for our expert panel. Follow the discussion using the hashtag #globaldevlive. | The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). Get in touch via globaldevpros@theguardian.com or@GuardianGDP on Twitter to recommend someone for our expert panel. Follow the discussion using the hashtag #globaldevlive. |
| Panel | Panel |
| Tom Baker, head of campaigns and engagement, Bond, London, UK @mrtombaker @bondngo Bond were one of the organisations which lobbied for the UK government to adopt the UN commitment to spend 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid. | Tom Baker, head of campaigns and engagement, Bond, London, UK @mrtombaker @bondngo Bond were one of the organisations which lobbied for the UK government to adopt the UN commitment to spend 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid. |
| Shimon Cohen, chair and founder, the PR Office, London, UK @scohen_shimon @ThePROfficeShimon has 30 years of lobbying experience with faith groups, extractive industries, real estate, planning, transport and infrastructure. | Shimon Cohen, chair and founder, the PR Office, London, UK @scohen_shimon @ThePROfficeShimon has 30 years of lobbying experience with faith groups, extractive industries, real estate, planning, transport and infrastructure. |
| David Hulme, professor of development studies, Brooks World Poverty Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK @BrooksPovertyDavid’s research focuses on rural development and relationship between states, NGOs and donors across South Asia and Africa. | David Hulme, professor of development studies, Brooks World Poverty Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK @BrooksPovertyDavid’s research focuses on rural development and relationship between states, NGOs and donors across South Asia and Africa. |
| Clare Moody, Labour MEP for the South West and Gibraltar, Brussels, Belgium @ClareMoodyMEPClare is a member of the European Parliament’s budget committee, the industry, trade, research and energy committee, and the committee on women’s rights and gender equality. | Clare Moody, Labour MEP for the South West and Gibraltar, Brussels, Belgium @ClareMoodyMEPClare is a member of the European Parliament’s budget committee, the industry, trade, research and energy committee, and the committee on women’s rights and gender equality. |
| Charlie Matthews, parliamentary adviser, Sightsavers, Brighton, UK @CharlieMTweets @Sightsavers_PolCharlie has international development lobbying experience from Sightsavers, Save the Children UK and the Institute of Development Studies. | Charlie Matthews, parliamentary adviser, Sightsavers, Brighton, UK @CharlieMTweets @Sightsavers_PolCharlie has international development lobbying experience from Sightsavers, Save the Children UK and the Institute of Development Studies. |
| Simon Starling, head of policy & campaigns, Concern, London, UK @concernuk Simon has over 18 years experience in international development policy and practice with Oxfam, Save the Children and International Alert. | Simon Starling, head of policy & campaigns, Concern, London, UK @concernuk Simon has over 18 years experience in international development policy and practice with Oxfam, Save the Children and International Alert. |
| Murray Hunter, organiser on secrecy and surveillance, Right2Know campaign, Cape Town, South Africa @muzhunter @r2kcampaignMurray is a spokesperson and campaigner on secrecy and security issues for the Right2Know Campaign in South Africa. | Murray Hunter, organiser on secrecy and surveillance, Right2Know campaign, Cape Town, South Africa @muzhunter @r2kcampaignMurray is a spokesperson and campaigner on secrecy and security issues for the Right2Know Campaign in South Africa. |
| Phil Parvin, senior lecturer in politics, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK Phil is a senior lecturer in politics at Loughborough University, a former Director at the Hansard Society, and author of numerous books and articles on British politics.Germana Canzi, freelance policy and campaigns analyst, London, UK @germanacanziGermana is a freelance writer and consultant. Specialising in energy and sustainable development policy at UK, EU and global level. | Phil Parvin, senior lecturer in politics, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK Phil is a senior lecturer in politics at Loughborough University, a former Director at the Hansard Society, and author of numerous books and articles on British politics.Germana Canzi, freelance policy and campaigns analyst, London, UK @germanacanziGermana is a freelance writer and consultant. Specialising in energy and sustainable development policy at UK, EU and global level. |
| Jon Date, advocacy officer, ActionAid UK, London, UK @Jon_DateJon leads on the day-to-day engagement with parliamentarians for ActionAid UK. | |
| Shireen Irani, founder and executive director, iProbono, London, UK @iProbonoShireen is the founder of iProbono, enabling civil society organisations and activists around the world to access justice. |