Goodmovers: Lexi Barnett

Goodmovers, Inside the sector — By TFNadmin on 24/03/2011 5:23 pm

NAME:
Lexi Barnett

JOB TITLE:
Campaigns Officer

ORGANISATION:
SCIAF

 

First full time job?
A supervisor in a hotel bar in Inverness. Long days of serving pints and chatting to people from all walks of life has actually put me in good stead for this job – I have to be able to get my point across to politicians, school students, the media, and ultimately I have to get them enthused about what I’m saying.

Did you choose the voluntary sector or did it choose you?
I have done lots of volunteering here and there while at university, but it wasn’t until I did my masters in Gender, Rights and Development that I made a decision that I couldn’t really work in any other sector but international development. It was around that time that I actually realised being a campaigner could be an actual job!

What’s good about your job?
Lots of things. In my job I get to take policy and turn it into something that really motivates and inspires people to take action. I get to talk to our supporters, and I love hearing from them about what they’ve done or a response they’ve got from an MSP. I get to meet our inspirational partners from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Most of all, I am really privileged to have gone to El Salvador, Nicaragua and India, to talk to people directly about the issues affecting them, and to bring their stories back to the Scottish public and decision makers. Essentially, my job is about trying to make sure that people living in poverty have their voices heard and encouraging people in Scotland to do what they can – sign a postcard, send an email, go to a rally – to bring about a positive change.

…and bad?
It’s easy to get depressed about the state of the world. We are nowhere near reaching the Millennium Development Goals – to halve global poverty by 2015. Why not?

What would make your job easier?
If businesses and politicians put people before profit. I’d be out of a job!

Most important lesson learned?
Pick your battles – whether it’s planning a campaign or arguing with climate deniers. Sometimes you’ll win, but sometimes you won’t.

Is this a job for life?
Campaigning is not something I think I could give up.

Who would be your ideal boss?
Dr Ricardo Navarro. He’s the head of SCIAF partner organisation Friends of the Earth El Salvador in Central America, and works on helping vulnerable people in this ravaged country to adapt to the new challenges posed by climate change. His energy, knowledge, and strategic thinking are inspirational. He’s had a life filled with amazing experiences, and has a great sense of fun.

get into goodmovers: tfn@scvo.org.uk

Tags: TFN 628 - 25 March 2011