A person who speaks on behalf of another person, organization, or cause is known as an advocate. Advocates can be found in a variety of professions, ranging from legal advocates to proponents of a particular faith or way of life. An advocate is a legal professional who works on behalf of a specific issue, business, or entity in some regions, similar to a barrister or attorney, but the term can also refer to a professional or volunteer who works on behalf of a specific issue, business, or entity.
An advocate may be a practicing legal professional in many parts of Europe, particularly in Scandinavian countries. In these areas, lawyers receive law degrees and, in addition to passing the bar exam, may be required to serve an apprenticeship under established professionals. These professionals, like a barrister in the United Kingdom or an attorney in the United States, have the right to represent others in court.
In other regions, legal advocates may not be lawyers, but rather highly trained professionals who assist with legal matters. A child and family advocate may be called in to evaluate custody or divorce cases and make recommendations to the family or the court about the best course of action. Domestic abuse, rape, divorce, and custody battles are some of the legal issues that women face. Women’s legal advocates may be trained to handle these issues. These advocates may work for the government, but they may also work for non-profit organizations that provide legal assistance.
Many advocates work for non-profit organizations or charitable foundations, and they may advocate for a variety of causes and social issues. By volunteering at a library or working to ensure that students have access to books and early education, a literacy advocate can help improve literacy rates in rural or impoverished areas. An environmental advocate might try to educate the public about global warming or endangered species protection providing educational materials, sponsoring or participating in events to raise public awareness, or organizing fundraisers to support a cause.
Faith advocates are frequently volunteers or employees of a particular religious sect. Many engage in public outreach and may be available to answer questions and provide information about their chosen religion’s practices and beliefs. Some faith advocates work within the church, assisting with church support groups, fundraisers, and charitable work to help and enrich the lives of members. Others may serve as missionaries, traveling to various regions and even foreign countries to assist in the recruitment of new church members and outreach activities.