Washington Office on Africa
In 1985, the Washington Office on Africa was a 14 year old trade union and church sponsored lobbying and research organization. It sought to change U.S. policies towards Southern Africa and U.S. support of apartheid in South Africa. Towards that end, the Washington Office on Africa not only was involved in direct lobbying activities, but also mobilized the public to lobby their own elected officials. The Anti-Apartheid Legislative Hotline, which provided information on pending legislation, greatly increased the effectiveness of this public lobby network.
The Washington Office on Africa Education Fund, a separate but companion non-profit organization, produced materials which provided background information concerning specific issues in the Southern Africa region. Most notably, they developed three comprehensive information packets; The South Africa Information Packet, The Divestment Packet, and the Free Namibia Packet. The materials from the Education Fund helped develop a public knowledge base concerning southern Africa, which was important in its own right, but essential to the success of lobbying activities.
The Washington Office on Africa Education Fund, a separate but companion non-profit organization, produced materials which provided background information concerning specific issues in the Southern Africa region. Most notably, they developed three comprehensive information packets; The South Africa Information Packet, The Divestment Packet, and the Free Namibia Packet. The materials from the Education Fund helped develop a public knowledge base concerning southern Africa, which was important in its own right, but essential to the success of lobbying activities.