Deeply entrenched ideas and beliefs can limit the opportunities of certain groups. Working to change dominant narratives — such as prevailing patriarchal or racially biased paradigms within society — is an important goal to achieve systems change. Narrative change happens when you can engage in a dialogue that gets widespread attention. Organizations that spoke about the importance of narrative change in their work most often accomplished this by engaging the court of public opinion. This can occur through conversations playing out in the media, boots-on-the ground training and education programs within communities, and setting up an infrastructure so that community members themselves spread the messages. Shifting individual and institutional behaviors requires moving the public.
Insight 1: Build Partnerships and Collaborate Effectively
A single organization cannot create and sustain systems change alone. It takes collaboration among networks, partnerships and coalitions to maximize the strengths and fill in
