Centre for Australian Community Organisations and Management

This paper attempts to map some of the conceptual complexity associated with the interdependent use of the two concepts accountability and advocacy. We will briefly examine each term as used in the third sector, before examining their implications first within third sector organisations, and then within the larger political fields in which they are embedded. Both concepts gain particular currency within state / third sector policy relations, but also within the wider international relationships involving multi-national governance organisations such as the United Nations and civil society organisations. Finally, we will attempt to identify some key research questions that need to be answered for a more effective use of advocacy within third sector organisations. Accountability is the state of being called to account, that is to provide an explanation or justification for one’s conduct or duties especially, but not only, for the appropriate and lawful use of finance. Few would argue that all persons and organisations should be accountable. For third sector organisations, that is for those non-government nonprofit organisations whose mission is to provide a service for the greater good th