Complex systems of relationships sustain human rights abuses. There are relationships that reinforce the role of the abuser. Some of these relationships are formal, hierarchical or otherwise structural. Other relationships are informal. Each of these relationships can be a potential place to take action. But each relationship would respond to different tactics.
Human rights abuses will not yield to a single tactic. This means we need strategies aimed at disrupting the system of relationships that sustain human rights abuses. We must develop the capacity to advance knowledge and awareness of many tactics. This requires more attention to mapping the terrain of human relationships. This helps expand our knowledge and abilities to engage our allies and opponents.
The Tactical Mapping Tool helps us to better understand this human relationship terrain. Tactical mapping helps organizations visualize their context from different perspectives. The Tactical Mapping Tool can help you and your team identify and track these relationships.
Use the online Tactical Mapping tool to map and visualize your human relationship terrain.
You can use the tool to create your tactical map. Identify your allies and opponents using the spectrum of allies. Track and change these relationships as you verify the positions of allies and opponents. Track the shifts in these relationships and context changes.
If you are unable or do not want to use the online tactical mapping tool, use these tips to create your own tactical map:
Explore also: Using the Spectrum of Allies Tool
Done with Step 3: Mapping the Terrain? Click to explore tactics for achieving your human rights goals.
RESOURCES
- Article: Tactical Mapping: How Nonprofits Can Identify the Levers of Change
This article provides an overview of the tactical map tool and specific examples of its use. It was published in The Nonprofit Quarterly, Summer 2009 edition.
Susan Banki of the University of Sydney explains why visually mapping the relationships that surround a human rights issue is important in identifying effective strategies, and she shares the steps involved in this activity. Thank you to the Department of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Sydney for creating and sharing this video with New Tactics!
