The text for this section has been adapted solely from the resource materials of the Campaign to Ban Landmines.

What are public events?

Public events are an effective way to publicise the message of a campaign and gain media attention. These can include marches, like the Italy MDG march, handing out leaflets outside a government meeting, pickets or vigils. Planning, imagination and hard work are all that are needed.

A checklist for events

Preliminary logistics

• Have you worked out how to co-ordinate the event? Set up a committee with responsibilities for each person.
• Have you set a date on an appropriate day? Make sure the event does not clash with other key activities / public holidays.
• Is the event location accessible to disabled people, the media and the general public? Is there enough parking? Is there public transport access?
• Have you secured the necessary permits?
• Have you advertised the event?
• Do you need to arrange transport for the event?
• Have you arranged for endorsements by key organisations and individuals?
• Have you developed and implemented your media plan?

Site / event logistics

• Have you arranged for a sound system?
• Do you need chairs?
• Is there a plan for rain / sun protection?
• Have you arranged security?
• Do you need to have a first aid kiosk?
• Have you arranged for booths with drinks and food if appropriate?
• Have you planned for a literature table for people who want to know more?

Follow up

• Do you have a clean-up plan?
• Who is responsible for thank-you letters to all involved?
• When will you hold an evaluation of the event?

Actions

Marches

A march is a good way to involve members and allies, publicise your message and bring pressure to bear on decision-makers. Marches can also be motivating events to galvanise support from new recruits and the general public.

Things to arrange:

• Where and when. Decide on the date, the route and the assembly place and time.
• Give directions. Elect marshals and train them to direct the march. Marshals should be easily identifiable.
• Leaders. Decide who will lead your march.
• Banners. Arrange for banners and posters bearing the message of the campaign for participants to carry.
• The grand finale. Every march should have a formal ending such as a rally, sit-in, handing over a petition or a speech.

Italian march and Perugia gates In Italy the MDG campaign decided to host a visibile main civil society event. After consultation with the various stakeholders a march combined with eight meaningful arches along the path was agreed for October 2003. The march became known as the ‘Perugia March’. The March was a success not only in terms of the number (organizers and most of media talked about 300,000 people in the March and related events), but in terms of media impact. In part this was as a result of the creative arches/ gates built. Each gate represented one of the eight goals. The march passed through each gate. Representative of Italian civil society were invited to distribute their relevant advocacy materials at each gate. The objective was to show that the MDGs are a common and concrete framework for all the different campaigns. For example, around Arch number 8 there were: the fair trade movements, the Debt Campaign, the “No Dumping Campaign”, the Ethical bank.

Vigils
Vigils are usually fairly solemn events, involving participants standing silently in a public place to convey their message. They can be a powerful way of conveying the tragedy of the failure to implement the MDGs. Some vigils may have a religious element.

Things to arrange:

• Establish a pattern for participants. Where vigils are in a visible place, they need to be easily identified. Make a line or a circle.
• Stand far apart to extend the line as much as possible. This increases visual impact and lessens the temptation for participants to chat.
• Maintain composure and silence.
• Have monitors to check on participants.
• Use visuals, for example, candles.

Pickets
These are similar to vigils although picketers usually hold signs or placards, and pickets often involve singing and chanting.

Things to arrange:

• Venue. This should be a prominent place.
• Time. Select a busy time of the day when there will be lots of passers-by.
• See all the items under vigils.

For example – Marina do you have a picture of a MDG picket somewhere in the world?

Religious services

Services are an effective way of involving members of the religious community already linked to the campaign and potential supporters in the campaign. They are sometimes a more comfortable and safe way for people to show their support.

Things to arrange:

• Leader. Decide who will lead the service. Spend time with them planning the event.
• Service order. Ensure that you use the service to carry out your message by selecting / writing appropriate prayers and readings.
• Action. Provide some opportunity for people to do something such as light a candle for all those suffering from poverty.

CAFOD MDG meditation Jesus said: “I have come to bring Good News to the poor”. We are called to be like Jesus. We are called to bring good news to the poor. We can share what we have with those who have less. Jesus, help me to share with others today. Response: Lord, help us to build a fairer world A wise man wrote in the Old Testament, “Listen to instruction and learn to be wise.” Thank you, God that I can go to school and learn to be wise. Please bless all the children in the world who cannot go to school. Response: Lord, help us to build a fairer world In some countries today, girls are not given the same opportunities as boys. St Paul described us together as the Body of Christ. He said that each part of the Body should be treated as well as any other part. Lord, help me to treat fairly everyone I meet today. Response: Lord, help us to build a fairer world Jesus laid his hands on little children and blessed them. Many children in poor countries are likely to have only a short life. God our father, we thank you for your gift of life. We pray that children everywhere may be given all they need to live long and happy lives. Response: Lord, help us to build a fairer world Our mothers give us life and look after us, just as Mary looked after Jesus. Some children in places like Nigeria, Mexico and Indonesia never know their mothers. Lord, thank you for my family and all those who look after me. Help me today to think of a way to show them I care. Response: Lord, help us to build a fairer world There are some terrible diseases in poor countries where people cannot afford to buy medicines. Jesus healed the sick and he asks us to build a world where people can find healing. Holy Spirit, inspire us to be your healing hands for other people today and always. Response: Lord, help us to build a fairer world God created the world “and indeed, it was very good.” God wanted us to live in a beautiful place. But some parts of the world are no longer beautiful. Some of our sisters and brothers live in slums, some have no clean water and some forests are being destroyed. Today, Lord, I will try to notice the beauty around me. Thank you for the earth. Response: Lord, help us to build a fairer world The prophet Micah said, “Act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God.” The nations of the world are trying to act justly by promising to help poor countries. They have promised to work together to achieve the MDGs. Lord God, please bless all the world leaders. May they work hard to help the poorest people of the world. Response: Let’s help make the world a fairer place

Setting up tables
Tables are an effective way to get signatures for petitions, publicise our message and fundraise.

Things to arrange:

• Where and when. Choose a busy area and time of day.
• Making the point. Make sure that the appearance of the table invites people passing by to stop and ask questions. Use posters and banners to attract them.
• Ask for action. Make sure you have something that invites people to take some action. For example, signing a petition, joining the campaign, making a donation or writing a letter to a targeted leader.

Exhibitions

A picture is worth a thousand words and an exhibition is a powerful way to illustrate our message and tell stories of people whose lives have been affected by poverty.

Things to arrange:

• Choose a public place and spacious venue.
• Try to find a theme for the exhibition.
• Build up relationships with photographers and invite them to participate.
• Think carefully how the materials will be displayed. Will you mount or frame the pictures? It is important to display material in an attractive and professional way.
• Decide on the medium. It is often good to combine media such as photographs and painting with videos.
• Pay attention to the text that will accompany each image.
• Invite arts editors to the opening.

Uganda exhibition Uganda held a public exhibition with eight MDG stalls, staffed by UN agencies and their partners, demonstrating activities that can help the country achieve each goal. The exhibition displays and posters were based on entries to a schools painting competition held earlier.

Some general tips when organising an event:   Think ahead. Arrange for a planning meeting to strategise for the event. Make sure you have a group of people who will be responsible for the event. Notify the authorities and, if necessary, get permission for the event. Make sure you have a group of people there before the event and afterwards to prepare and clean up. A good rule is to plan your event for maximum publicity and minimum disruption to the public. Build alliances. Sometimes it is useful to ask prominent individuals or organisations to support the event. Make sure they are well briefed on the event and on the message you are putting across. Work with them to plan the event. Advertise the event. You need to plan an advertising strategy to attract supporters and explain to the community why you are staging the event. This can be done using any of the media strategies and skills detailed in this toolbox. Often the best form of advertising is word of mouth, so ask your supporters to phone or talk to other members / supporters to let them know about the event. Get your message across. If you are standing around in front of a public building in order to make a point, it is a lot more effective if bystanders know what point you are trying to make. Make sure you have banners and posters containing your message. Give out pamphlets to the public. Prepare members to answer questions. Plan for media coverage. If you are aiming to get public attention, make sure you have chosen a good time for the media. Often events planned early in the day (before noon) make it into the evening news, while events that take place later do not. Send out a media release before the event. Have background information available for journalists who did not get or read the pre-material. Think of ways of making the event visually attractive to inspire cameras and photographers. Think about equipment. Make arrangements in advance to borrow or hire the necessary equipment. Think about raising funds. Ensure you have raised enough money to carry off the event.

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