The act or process of supporting a cause or proposal, with the aim of influencing policies and/or procedures in political, economic, and social systems and institutions. Advocates resort to a number of strategies in order to persuade decision-makers and/or the public of the merits of their cause or proposal. This may include media campaigns, public speaking, organising public demonstration, commissioning and publishing research or polls. Therefore, advocacy can take on different forms, from something more akin to diplomacy to the typical methods of political activists, through to a science or evidence-based approach.