Anat Shenker-Osorio - ChangeMakers Chat - Art of Communication
Feb 26, 2024
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Anat Shenker-Osorio, a communication specialist, shares insights on impactful campaign strategies and the power of language in driving change. She discusses the influence of early childhood experiences on social justice advocacy and the importance of crafting effective communication strategies through linguistics and social science. The podcast explores navigating political ideologies, the power of polarization in activism, and progressive communication in global movements.
Effective communication is pivotal in driving social change by engaging the base, persuading the middle, and marginalizing the opposition.
Resilience is crucial in combating authoritarianism through unity, strength, and unwavering determination.
Strategic messaging is instrumental in successful campaigns, emphasizing the importance of engaging the base, persuading the middle, and alienating the opposition.
Deep dives
Importance of Communicating Effectively in Campaigns
Anat Shankar Osorio, a progressive communication specialist, discusses the significance of effectively communicating campaigns. By drawing on her background in linguistics and practical experience, she highlights the essential elements of crafting impactful messages. Through her podcast 'Words to Win by,' Anat shares success stories from various campaigns, emphasizing the crucial role of clear and persuasive communication in driving social change.
Lessons from Argentina's Abortion Legalization Campaign
The campaign for legalizing abortion in Argentina showcased the power of engaging the base, persuading the middle, and marginalizing the opposition. By adopting the green handkerchief as a symbol and framing the narrative around saving lives, the campaigners effectively conveyed their message and mobilized support in a predominantly Catholic country. Through strategic messaging and grassroots activism, they achieved a historic victory, demonstrating the impact of compelling and strategic communication.
Resilience in the Face of Authoritarianism
Anat discusses the ongoing global fight against authoritarianism and the importance of resilience in resisting oppressive regimes. She emphasizes the need to combat despondency and challenges posed by authoritarian forces by maintaining strength, unity, and a will to resist. By highlighting the insidious tactics of eroding public will, Anat underscores the critical role of collective action and unwavering determination in preserving democratic values and pushing back against oppression.
The Power of Messaging in Social Change Campaigns
Anat emphasizes the power and impact of strategic messaging in social change campaigns, citing examples from Ecuador's climate referendum and other successful movements. By engaging the base, persuading the middle, and alienating the opposition through clear and compelling communication, these campaigns have achieved significant victories. Anat stresses the importance of naming villains, inspiring collective action, and leveraging grassroots support to drive meaningful change.
Optimism for Progress Amidst Challenges
Despite global challenges and the rise of authoritarianism, Anat remains optimistic about the progress made by movements worldwide. From winning critical elections to advancing climate initiatives, she highlights the resilience and determination of activists and communities in driving positive change. Anat's insights emphasize the transformative power of effective communication, collective action, and unwavering commitment to social justice and equity.
Today we talk with one of the world's leading communication specialists for progressive change. Anat Shenker-Osorio has spend decades working with communities, movements and progressive political candidates across the world helping them to sharpen and improve how they communicate their ideas. Anat brings a deep understanding of change making principles in her work - and today she unpacks where her communications methodology came from and some of its key principles.
This Chat is full of change making stories, many of which are drawn from her fantastic podcast Words to Win By.
You can find out more about Anat's work and method by:
Listening to her podcast Words to Win By - which is now releasing its third season!
ChangeMakers 2024 is supported by the Civic Power Fund and work with the UCL Policy Lab. This year they are supporting ChangeMakers to bring together a collection of Chats filled with extraordinary ideas and everyday experience to understand how we can change the world, www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/ucl-policy-lab and www.civicpower.org.uk/.