Thu, 11/11/2010 - 10:07 — webuser1
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Our Journey
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The National Centre for Advocacy Studies (NCAS) emerged as a result of the collective vision and commitment of social activists who felt the need for a resource centre to facilitate advocacy for issues of public concern, specifically the rights of marginalised people. The organisational history of NCAS can be traced back to the Advocacy Fellowship Programme (AFP) in Washington, D.C., USA, which began in 1989 for selected social activists and grassroots leaders from India. Between 1989 and 1992, AFP provided the crucial opportunity for social activists and socially sensitive professionals to develop a comprehensive understanding about the theory and practice of advocacy. The experience and exposure provided by this fellowship inspired social action leaders to broaden the scope of advocacy efforts in India, recognizing the need for a sustainable institutional mechanism to foster advocacy campaigns. As a result of such a realisation, there was a felt need for an advocacy centre that would serve as a national-level resource centre for social action groups and activists from all over India. This paved the way for the creation of the National Centre for Advocacy Studies (NCAS) in 1992.
NCAS is a Society registered under the Maharashtra Societies Registration Act, 1960 and the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950. It is a membership-based organisation governed by the General Body of Members, an Executive Committee and a Standing Committee. Since its inception, NCAS has experiences various phrases of growth, each contributing to the creation of NCAS as an effective and nationally-recognised resource centre.
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Phase 1: Formation (1993-1994):
During this phase, NCAS not only evolved its basic organisational vision, mission and structure but also acquired an institutional mandate and legitimacy in the volunteer sector in India. Through a process of discussions and consultations with social activists and organisations, NCAS conceptualised the structure of an advocacy training in India. |
Phase 2: Establishment (1994-2000):
The second phase of the organisational development began with the shifting of NCAS from Mumbai to Pune in April, 1994. This phase was marked by the creation of people centred advocacy programmes. On the basis of the curriculum established during the formative phase, the design and basic format of NCAS advocacy training programmes were developed, including a space for research and documentation. Even more, during this phase, NCAS created a viable training module to help understand the concept, practice and scope of advocacy in the socio-cultural and political context of India. |
Phase 3: Critical Growth (from 2000):
The primary aim of this phase is to increase NCAS’ involvement at various levels, with the creation of more sustainable programmes at both the national and international levels. NCAS seeks to build a cohesive team with a long-term institutional vision and a strong commitment to the marginalised sectors of society. With programmes such as the Community Learning Movement, NCAS is involved with grassroots advocacy efforts. Additionally, as part of NCAS' effort to increase governmental transparency and the role of civil society, NCAS facilitates the establishment of organisations to confront these issues. Through the improvement of NCAS’ capacity building and research programmes, NCAS seeks to develop the necessary potential to be a leading resource centre in India and throughout Asia. |
