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"social change"
support educarnos :: providing educational opportunity for honduras youth
on December 3, 2007
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My friend, Heatherjean, has taken on an inspiring initiative based on her Peace Corps experience in Honduras, coupled by her business savviness – and further driven by her amazing heart and ambition to be a purveyor social good. The small community of El Boqueron is located at the edge of a cloud forest in the [...]
My friend, Heatherjean, has taken on an inspiring initiative based on her Peace Corps experience in Honduras, coupled by her business savviness – and further driven by her amazing heart and ambition to be a purveyor social good.
The small community of El Boqueron is located at the edge of a cloud forest in the province of Olancho, Honduras. El Boqueron has a small elementary school for local children to attend, serving grades one through six. To attend grades seven through twelve however, or “colegio,” students must travel to a nearby town. In addition to the costs of transportation, students are required to pay for their own school books, uniforms as well other materials. While these costs are minimal, most families do not have the means to cover these expenses.
The cost for each student to attend one year of colegio is approximately $50.00 (US), and $300.00 (US) to graduate from the six-year track.
It has been over a year since she left Honduras and the community of El Boqueron behind and despite her chaotic schedule she has found time to start a pilot scholarship program that she is attempting to implement in El Boqueron.
The pilot will be supported solely by donations. Please consider showing your support. I will be returning to El Boqueron to celebrate Christmas, as well as to meet with the local teachers that I have been communicating with regarding the permanent establishment of EDUCARNOS.
Please fill out the EDUCARNOS Order Form if you’re interested in participating or would like to contact Heatherjean for more information. Be well.
sunday musings
on December 2, 2007
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The Future of Social Media Social Media Club Boston Thursday, December 6th – FREE 6:00pm – 9:30pm @ Boston Ballroom, Colonnade Hotel Social Activism 101 – Web 2.0 Style via Leigh’s Blitherings It’s ironic that a lot of the people who tout the principles of Web 2.0 have a tendency to forget one of the [...]
The Future of Social Media
Social Media Club Boston
Thursday, December 6th – FREE
6:00pm – 9:30pm
@ Boston Ballroom, Colonnade Hotel
Social Activism 101 – Web 2.0 Style
via Leigh’s Blitherings
It’s ironic that a lot of the people who tout the principles of Web 2.0 have a tendency to forget one of the basic tenants…The power shift from companies to community.
Leigh’s also posted an interesting article today entitled, Zuckerberg Shrugged: Man Vs. Ecosystem, that critiques Zuckerberg’s “classic command and control approach” to his ecosystem management.
Green Marketing on Social Networks
via Marketing & Strategy Innovation Blog
For green marketers, social networks provide a compelling channel to communicate with consumers that have an affinity for green or are at least open-minded enough to listen. Today, those users can be found across a wide variety of social networks, including both general interest and vertically focused networks that connect those interested in social responsibility or, more specifically, in the environment.
think different
on November 19, 2007
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Project: Think Different supports a new pop culture that’s about human beings, not dollar bills. A pop culture where it’s hip to be engaged, where the new cool is being true to your self, your community, and your world. We are musicians, video and film producers, directors, spoken word artists, educators, community activists, and allied [...]
Project: Think Different supports a new pop culture that’s about human beings, not dollar bills. A pop culture where it’s hip to be engaged, where the new cool is being true to your self, your community, and your world. We are musicians, video and film producers, directors, spoken word artists, educators, community activists, and allied organizations—and we are you. If you’re sick of what’s being dished out and tired of waiting for something to change—Join us. We’re making change happen!
the nonexistent web 2.0 bubble
on October 31, 2007
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It’s all about the bubble these days – the “web 2.0 bubble” that is. Everywhere I look there’s a new article or blog post talking about the bubble and more specifically assessing when it’ll pop. The bubble has been so poorly constructed. Companies have (and continue to) exploit web 2.0 to the financial max – [...]
It’s all about the bubble these days – the “web 2.0 bubble” that is. Everywhere I look there’s a new article or blog post talking about the bubble and more specifically assessing when it’ll pop.
The bubble has been so poorly constructed. Companies have (and continue to) exploit web 2.0 to the financial max – from consultants to marketers – they’re all looking to gain. This corporate extreme offers a talking point riddled with buzzwords and advice on how to gain financially. Not too mention a tangible entity with boundaries and a “life cycle” that will mean it’s eventually end.
Please bear in mind that I’m a graduate student currently pursuing my MBA. I’m all too familiar with the bottom-line and the notion that everything pursued from a corporate standpoint should satisfy that sole goal.
But web 2.0 (social media) isn’t about the bottom-line. It’s about community engagement, human interaction and conversations. A concept that’s difficult for many to grasp, because it doesn’t seem inherent that human interaction can be synonymous with anything related to the internet and/or technology. The key is to understand that social media isn’t about the technology – though it’s the profitability of technology-based companies or those leveraging it that has become the primary focus – it’s about a means of facilitation. Technology is nothing more than the vehicle that provides additional outlets for the conversation to thrive.
So while companies attempt to cash in on the bubble that they have defined (for the purpose of it’s own creation) they’ve missed the brilliance of what the bubble cannot contain. And maybe social media will ultimately burst that bubble, because how can companies harness a human condition? In the end, such a burst may enable corporations, institutions and individuals to attain understanding of what it is that’s actually occurring – even enable them to develop an appreciation and a desire to truly become part of the conversation.
Because how can something that is symptomatic of being human – human interaction and the desire to communicate as well as engage – burst and therefore cease to exist?
netsquared: worth more than a look
on October 29, 2007
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Why? Because, NetSquared is “remixing the web for social change” – and that’s cool. Our mission is to spur responsible adoption of social web tools by social benefit organizations. There’s a whole new generation of online tools available – tools that make it easier than ever before to collaborate, share information and mobilize support. These [...]
Why? Because, NetSquared is “remixing the web for social change” – and that’s cool.
Our mission is to spur responsible adoption of social web tools by social benefit organizations. There’s a whole new generation of online tools available – tools that make it easier than ever before to collaborate, share information and mobilize support. These tools include blogs, wikis, RSS feeds, podcasting, and more. Some people describe them as “Web 2.0″; we call them the social web, because their power comes from the relationships they enable.
And besides, social change is SO in.
light bulbs for burma
on October 23, 2007
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foreign investors in burma
on October 12, 2007
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Democracy Now! aired an interesting segment this evening entitled, “Oil Giant Chevron Urged to Cut Ties with Burmese Military Junta”. Segment synopsis: Chevron is one of the largest foreign investors in Burma and is the only remaining major U.S. corporation with a significant presence there. In 2005, Chevron bought the company Unocal weeks after the [...]
Democracy Now! aired an interesting segment this evening entitled, “Oil Giant Chevron Urged to Cut Ties with Burmese Military Junta”.
Segment synopsis:
Chevron is one of the largest foreign investors in Burma and is the only remaining major U.S. corporation with a significant presence there. In 2005, Chevron bought the company Unocal weeks after the latter settled a lawsuit accusing it of assisting the Burmese military junta in the torture, murder and rape of villagers during construction of a pipeline. We play excerpts of the documentary Total Denial and speak to Katherine Redford, one of the attorneys who brought the suit.
Click here for full transcript.
Democracy Now! is “a daily radio and TV news program on over 500 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the U.S.” This is quality TV that’s worth a view. Check their website for a list of local stations to see when and where they’re airing.
Want to help? Sign the petition (and visit EathRights International) urging Chevron to use its influence NOW!
so many blogs, so little time
on October 10, 2007
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I know. There are so many quality blogs out there that it’s hard to find the time to read them all. Life does not always enable me to stay on top of my RSS feeds or to take a quest to discover undiscovered blogs. But no matter how busy my day may be, there is [...]
I know. There are so many quality blogs out there that it’s hard to find the time to read them all. Life does not always enable me to stay on top of my RSS feeds or to take a quest to discover undiscovered blogs.
But no matter how busy my day may be, there is one site that I always make room for (and I suggest you do too): Global Voices.
Global Voices Online is a captivating collection of blogs that promote awareness about the state of political, human and other social affairs in countries from across the world. So grab a cup of coffee (or tea), sit back and get re-acquainted with the world – one voice at a time.
See for yourself – right now on Global Voices:
Bangladesh: Bloggers protest internet user profiling
It all started when an exclusive report from E-Bangladesh exposed a memo of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) which instructed 72 Internet Service Providers (ISP) of Bangladesh to submit their individual client details and their usage details. E-Bangladesh also revealed that raids have been carried out in innocent individual users’ houses, as a part of the ongoing illegal VOIP operators busting assignment.
Blogger flees Uganda after threats
Ugandan blogger and radio personality Dennis Matanda’s provocative opinions on African culture, Idi Amin and recolonization have been covered on Global Voices before. Dennis caused another stir last month when he posted on his blog under the title “How to Be Dead.” The post chronicled the radio show, ensuing threats and frightening act of vandalism leading up to his flight from Uganda, a decision met with a mixture of support, bemusement and skepticism by his fellow blogren.
emerson, second life & hub2
on October 8, 2007
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A great article (which I recommend you check out) was published in this month’s edition of Emerson College Today. In the article Emerson Assistant Professor, Eric Gordon, shares his views on the potentials of Second Life (and other virtual worlds), the Hub2 initiative (in collaboration with the City of Boston) and the implications this all [...]
A great article (which I recommend you check out) was published in this month’s edition of Emerson College Today. In the article Emerson Assistant Professor, Eric Gordon, shares his views on the potentials of Second Life (and other virtual worlds), the Hub2 initiative (in collaboration with the City of Boston) and the implications this all holds for us here in the physical world.
Excerpt from “Virtual worlds of magic and creation – Emersonians explore Second Life’s potential (by Christopher Hennessy)”:
Misconceptions abound when it comes to virtual worlds and digital media in general, Gordon points out. “Everyone thinks: ‘I don’t even have time for my first life!’ I don’t know how many times I’ve heard that,” he laughs. “It’s not that virtual worlds are about retiring from your first life. Users see Second Life and other virtual worlds as opportunities to socialize, not isolate themselves. He cites the social networking site Facebook, popular with college-aged students, as a good example of the positive power of virtual space. “It’s a social network based on real world communities and it thickens those communities.” He adds, “Because we have the Emerson island, that doesn’t mean we’re not going to have class in real life anymore; we’re using it to thicken our engagement (read more).”
small change. a world of difference.
on October 3, 2007
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The Ethos Roundtable is “…an informal group of people who are interested in 1) measuring and extending ethos, and 2) using technology for positive social change (via Ethos Roundtable).” The Ethos Roundtable hosts an interesting and valuable fall series of discussions regarding technology for positive social change. The next Ethos Roundtable will spotlight: Keith Taylor [...]
The Ethos Roundtable is “…an informal group of people who are interested in 1) measuring and extending ethos, and 2) using technology for positive social change (via Ethos Roundtable).”
The Ethos Roundtable hosts an interesting and valuable fall series of discussions regarding technology for positive social change. The next Ethos Roundtable will spotlight:
Keith Taylor of Modest Needs Foundation
On Tuesday, October 30th
From 4:30 – 6:00 pm
At the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square (Cambridge)
Founded in 2002, Modest Needs is an award-winning charity that works to stop the cycle of poverty before it starts for low-income workers struggling to afford emergency expenses like those we’ve all encountered before: the unexpected auto repair, the unanticipated trip to the doctor, the unusually large winter heating bill.
At Modest Needs, we believe that EVERY person has the power to make a difference. So, by choice, the work we do at Modest Needs is funded exclusively by the ‘small change’ donations of people just like you (via modestneeds.org).
They are an amazing organization who are unlocking the limitless potential in all of us to make a difference – one small change at a time. Check ‘em out and be sure to visit their blog @ http://modestneeds.typepad.com/.
left behind bottle caps
are the miscellaneous moments of life we tuck away and the pieces of wisdom we collect dailyread
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
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