• lOptions for development

Continue with the current focus of lobbying other political parties

Develop into a campaigning organisation fighting for social and environmental justice

-Develop into an election fighting political party

 

The current strengths of the Indian Green Party

 

• lCharter, constitution, & national policies
• lTechnical expertise on issues of climate change, ecology, and the environment
• lExperienced campaigners on social and environmental issues
• lTechnical expertise in matters of environmental law
• lDirect experience of managing organisations with social and environmental aims
• lDirect experience managing  election campaigns
• lExtensive contacts in politics, media, & academia

 

Current Weaknesses of the Indian Green Party

 

• lLimited awareness and understanding of Green Party politics among Indians
• lLack of funds and people to run elections
• lLimited contact with other widely recognised environmental and social campaign groups
• lNo noticeable electoral success so far
• lNo current strategy for developing the party further

 

Opportunities for the Indian Green Party

 

• lGrowing awareness of climate change issues in India
• lCurrent popular disillusionment with traditional 'corporate' political parties in India
• lHigh proportion of youth population
• lIncreasing cost of all natural resources
• lGrowing popularity of products made using  traditional, more sustainable production methods 
• lSome successful environmental campaigns

 

Threats for the Indian Green Party

 

• lCommon misconception that being more sustainable is a block to development
• lAggressive promotion of high consumption lifestyles in media
• lHigh illiteracy rate / low education levels makes communicating complex concepts around climate change difficult
• lTaking up of 'light-green' issues by main parties is seen as sufficient by many
• l'First past the post' electoral system

 

Options for the Indian Green Party (1)

 

• lPossible positions of the Indian Green Party in 10 years
• -As a recognised political organisation with success in one or more states / major cities / small cities /  provincial towns
• -As a respected and well known high level campaigning organisation
• -As a grass roots organisation mobilising the concerns of climate change and social deprivation
• -Other options

 

Options for the Indian Green Party (2)‏

 

• lApproaches to growth:
• -Develop core campaigning group and deliver message through national media
• -Attempt to replicate 'traditional' models and methods of major parties
• -Engage electorate neighbourhood by neighbourhood to develop local support which can be converted over time into electoral wins at local, state and then national levels
• -Combination of above or other possible approaches

 

Options for the Indian Green Party (3)

 

• lTarget audiences:
• -Educated young professionals (The European and American target audiences)‏
• -The poorest Indians, those most effected by social deprivation and climate change
• -The opinion shaping elite in major metropolises
• -Existing social and environmental campaign groups
• -Combination of the above or other possible audiences

 

Options for the Indian Green Party (4)

 

• lImage of the party
• -Activists / professional politicians / campaigners / others
• lHow to reinforce the image of the party
• -Clothing / language / areas of focus / others

 

Questions for the Indian Green Party

 

• lWhat people can the Indian Green Party mobilise currently?
• lWhat sources of funding can the Indian Green Party access currently?
• lDoes the Indian Green Party have a natural geographical base?