Category: Citizen Journalism

1st June 2007

Greenpeace explains how Apple is at the core of its campaign

To comment on the video please go here.

Greenpeace have just popped this up on Youtube to show how they are still using Apple technology to keep in touch with Steve Jobs over their Greenmyapple campaign. Tom Dowdall, the web editor at Greenpeace International, has just e-mailed me to say they borrowed a headline from an earlier post on Podnosh for this detailed explanation of how the camapign integrated a wide range of social software to apply pressure, share ideas and untap the innovation of mac users. Good read. Nice job.

technorati tags: greenmyapple greenpeace apple mac activism

31st May 2007

Glocal Audio Activism: 100 Birmingham Voices Against Poverty

Less than 4 weeks ago I was sitting in the Birmingham office of Oxfam talking to them about how they might use podcasting and blogs etc to drive their part of the your voice against poverty campaign. With apparently little experience, but intelligence, energy enthusiam and passion they’ve already produced this blog and the first podcasts of the one hundred brummies who want their voices against poverty heard. Amongst them is the endorsement of BRMB voice Tammy Gooding:

I think one of the greatest things about us Brits is our conscience. We’re a charitible nation and when the chips are down, it’s the UK that tends to dive in with a big heart.

Well I know Brummies have a reputation of not being afraid to speak their minds so I’m really pleased to be joining in with so many of you to speak out against poverty. I was approached to lend my voice to a cause, I simply couldn’t say no.

They’re now crashing towards a deadline of June 2nd for the World Can’t Wait Rally in London prior to the G8 in Germany next month. These voices want the G8 to honour their commitments on debt relief – although Oxfam also has a second message on funding carbon neutral development.

What does this prove about non-profit organisations, campaigning and new technology? For me it’s the old truth that the technology is not the point – it’s the desire to change things which makes the possible do-able.

By the way if you like this Oxbrum campaign please vote for it on upyerbrum – Birmingham’s local Digg for the things which make the city great.

technorati tags: makepoveryhistory g8

30th May 2007

Public speaking for activists – a podcast with ten steps for success from the Grassroots Channel

This is our second podcast from Change in Progress, a gathering of UK based neighbourhood activists in Birmingham. This time Adam Askew from Oxfam UK tells us about the ten steps which can help you improve your public speaking, get your message across and manage those nerves.

If you’re looking for other tips which may help you campaign in your neighbourhood then you might like to listen to this earlier podcast on the mysterious art of lobbying politicians and the powerful.

15th May 2007

Showdown at Black Patch Park – a new podcast on the Grassroots Channel

OK so a slightly dramatic headline as you can see from the smiling photo. This programme is one of those occasional episodes when we manage to bring an active citizen together with the politician who’s thwarted their efforts (you might like to listen to Albert Bore and Natalie Brade).

For four years Simon Baddeley (the tall one) has campaigned with other Friends of Black Patch Park to protect this urban green space which is in Sandwell but sits just on the boundary with Birmingham. Sandwell Council had zoned some of the land for industrial development. The friends campaigned widely – including making their own media on youtube and using Flickr and Wikipedia to keep tabs on facts and images – until finally something moved. Earlier this year Councillor Bob Badham (cabinet member for Transport and Regeneration) said the council would review those plans, with the aim to preserve the park as a park.

This podcast is the first time the politician and the campaigner have had a chance to really talk, and I have to say that is part of what we try and do from time to time, create a space where relationships can grow a little.

We also mention a event coming up to explore neighbourhood policing in Birmingham. The Chamberlain Forum is hosting the Chief Constable of the West Midlands and Bishop of Birmingham to explore how policing is responding to what communities want. You are welcome to come to the free event in Digbeth on the morning of June 13th. Details of how to book can be found here.