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Presentation to Animal Rights Africa: Strategic and other issues to consider in seeking to achieve legal reform in SA

2. Contents of this presentation . Understanding the context and the reasons for this opportunity The SA political and legislative context Law Reform: a long, hard journey The agricultural context Parliament as a key site of struggle Popular participation Strategic vision and approach Conclu

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Presentation to Animal Rights Africa: Strategic and other issues to consider in seeking to achieve legal reform in SA

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    1. 1 Presentation to Animal Rights Africa: Strategic and other issues to consider in seeking to achieve legal reform in SA Dugan Fraser August 2009

    2. 2 Contents of this presentation Understanding the context and the reasons for this opportunity The SA political and legislative context Law Reform: a long, hard journey The agricultural context Parliament as a key site of struggle Popular participation Strategic vision and approach Conclusion: Pitfalls and opportunities

    3. 3 Understanding the context and the reasons for this opportunity Post apartheid clear-out SA Law Commission as central institutional structure Avoid seeing this as an easy or quick victory Dont assume a sympathetic ear or that opposition is not going to mobilise.

    4. 4 The SA political and legislative context Traditionalist resurgence African nationalism Entrenched interests and high financial stakes White imperialism strongly resented Condescending and patronising attitudes likely to derail and endanger processes

    5. 5 Law Reform: a long, hard journey Need to learn from unpopular but important and successful struggles (e.g. right to termination of pregnancy and same sex marriages). Significant processes driven by social movements NOT one off events Embedding struggles in partnerships and alliances

    6. 6 The agricultural context Widespread concentration and centralization of agriculture - factory farming Small operators increasingly driven out of business reducing the possibility of attracting their support Increased marginalization of alternative voices. Impoverishment leading to desperation. The bottom line is king.

    7. 7 Parliament: the key site of struggle Parliamentary Portfolio Committee Dont ignore provinces Identify likely allies and foes and lobby accordingly Dedicate resources and energy to the Parliamentary realm Party political choices become pressing can this initiative succeed without ruling party support?

    8. 8 Popular participation Every piece of legislation gets taken through a popular participation process before being enacted. Popular support doesnt just spring up organically: it gets grown and built Media and communication strategies are essential and are a sine qua non Significant resources are required.

    9. 9 Strategic vision and approach Plan your work and work your plan Build alliances and partnerships Radicalism / extremism of any sort costs popular support: What is non-negotiable? What can be sacrificed? Know and understand your opponents Gather resources.

    10. 10 Conclusion: Pitfalls and opportunities Avoid being seen as trying to impose a ready made legislative package Humility and authenticity win every time Engagement and awareness are critical Processes not events Progress not perfection Build institutional and other types of capacity Get ready for the long haul. Enjoy, reflect, improve.

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