An approach to "How to practice EA?"

I want you to ask yourself the questions: How do I practice EA? What is my approach to EA?

I consider myself lucky to have been surrounded by a lot of caring and engaged people who want to have a positive impact in our world and do good for the last few years – people who go through life aware of their surroundings, who want to be part of a change, who want to create a new norm.

What I curiously observed over the last few years is that there are mainly two different types of approaches to have a positive impact. Most people have one of these two focuses in their approach: changing personal behaviour vs changing other people/institutions.

One type of people rather focus on changing their personal behaviour. Their reasoning and thinking oftentimes look something like this: “I aim to reflect upon all my actions to do as little harm as possible. I strive to constantly become a better person.”

Reason for this approach oftentimes is that it gives certainty. You have control over the success of your actions. And although a single person can only have a limited impact by themselves, the impact they can have is certain. This approach can oftentimes be seen in changed consumer behaviour (e.g. changing to a vegan diet, purchasing second-hand/fair-trade/organic products, donating money).

The other type of people rather focuses on changing (powerful) people and institutions. Here, the goals and thought process can look something like this: “I aim to make powerful people/organisations change their ways. I engage in putting pressure on them and offering solutions.”

These people oftentimes want to see big-scale, structural change. They see the need for powerful actors to take responsibility and to use their power to change realities by addressing pressing issues. And although it is out of the individual’s hands whether these actors will change their ways, it is worth it because IF they change, the impact will be big. People like this can oftentimes be found at demonstrations and public discussion events.

In my opinion, there is no right or wrong in what approach to take for the way you practice EA. Both of the approaches that I presented have good reasons and are valuable. However, both of these approaches also have their drawbacks. While the former is very self-centred and does not aim for the big changes and thus is limited to a certain scale, the latter brings up difficulties of trust. Because if people do not see you changing your behaviour, they will probably be less willing to change their actions.

Obviously, this is not black and white and there is a scale of approaches in between the two presented. Nevertheless, the fact that I have been observing this pattern over and over again during the last few years made me think about this a lot. One, because I have repeatedly seen people arguing about which one is the more important approach – and two, because I feel like the holistic perspective is missing here.

This is why I came up with the “3-P-Approach”. This is an offer for a more holistic approach on how to change the world for good more effectively. This approach is supposed to serve as a guideline and not as a template for the ‘right approach’.

The “3-P-Approach” comprises the areas “personal”, “people” and “power”.

1. First, the approach suggests taking a look at the individual scope – your personal life. Take a look at your own foot- and handprint. Be willing to reflect critically on your life on a regular basis. Continuously develop personally!
2. Second, enlarge the scope to the people around you. Be a role model and influence the people around you with your behaviour and thinking. The goal of this step is to become numerous to be able to eventually change the norm.
3. Third, turn to where the power lies. Offer solution approaches and pressure powerful actors to change and use their power for the good. Be courageous to expect change from “above”.

These three steps do not have to happen in that order but can also occur simultaneously. Also, although it would be amazing to focus on all these three areas with all our energy, we are all limited in our capacities (no matter whether that is time, energy or money). Thus, it is completely fine to have a stronger focus on one of these areas in your personal approach to “How to practice EA”. This concept is designed to help you to always have the bigger picture in the back of your mind and not forget about one of these areas. 

So, let’s change effectively and on all levels!