Excerpted from "What is advocacy?"
The definition of advocacy is, “the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal” (Mariam Webster, 2022).
Practically, advocacy is “pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support” (Your Dictionary, n.d).
Why should we advocate?
The College of Early Childhood Educators requires that all RECEs “advocate for the well-being of children and families” (College of Early Childhood Educators, 2017, p. 7). RECE’s are bound by their responsibilities to their colleagues, the profession, the community, and the public. In order for RECEs to be able to advocate for children and families, it is also important that they advocate for themselves.
The ECEC sector is fraught with many challenges and inequities. As an important and trusted member of the community, RECEs have the power to influence decision making and advance important issues. Educators are called to advocate not only for children and families, but also for other issues that are personal and important to their own lives.