What I’m Watching This Weekend: Burma VJ

 

Link Loving 03.02.12

• To My Old Master – a letter from a former slave. Jourdon Anderson.
• Interesting to see the Avaaz.org results come through from their global poll last month. So far over 150,000 people have completed it.
• The Co-Op launch the Community Energy Challenge.
• As if I could love Julianne Moore any more – here she is promoting a campaign for clean air. Jess Zimmerman. “Sometimes, being a good mum means being an active citizen.”
• How do we design a space that allows for cross-team collaboration and information transfer? Bob Frisch.
• The hole at the heart of the Labour Party. Stuart Weir.
• Start the Week with Andrew Mark was particularly good this week with Mary King, Paul Mason and Wael Ghonim on Revolution.
• The Island President.

So Simple – So Effective

Link Loving 02.02.12

• Why do some countries have so few NGOs? Seth Kaplan.
• After all the pep talks and CV workshops, where are all the jobs? Amelia Gentleman.
• The whooping in this video of Josh Rouse‘s concert in London last week is, sadly, me.
• The whole of Belgium was on strike on Monday. Philip Blenkinsop.
• Dutch Socialists lead the polls ahead of the Prime Minister’s center right party and Geert Wilder’s extreme right party. René Cuperus.
• Don’t click it. Fascinating new web interface without using mouse clicks.

Leonard Cohen – How I Got My Song

“Poetry comes from a place that no one commands, that no one conquers. So I feel somewhat like a charlatan to accept an award for an activity which I do not command. In other words, if I knew where the good songs came from I would go there more often.”

“Just as an identity card is not a man, a credit rating is not a country”

Change.org Are Hiring Big Time

Three London-based roles to look at;

• Exec Assistant for my old boss Paul Hilder – perfect if you want to learn about campaign strategy and are at the beginning of your career.
• Campaign Manager – building advocacy and campaigns across the UK – crafting and executing rapid-response campaigns across dozens of issues.
• Director of Communications – overseeing all press, messaging and external communications around UK campaigns.

Then have a look at the enormous number of people they’re hiring around the world.

Link Loving 01.02.12

• Anne O’Brien reviews Ideas for Action: Relevant Theory for Radical Change by Cynthia Kaufman. Looks like a good read.
• What can British campaigners learn from the successful No Keystone XL campaign. Tom Baker.
• What does love look like?
• Why business won’t save the world. Michael Edwards.
• Niel Bowerman, my co-Global Shaper, speaks at WEF in Davos. (Notice how he introduces himself – someone’s done some Story of Self training!)
• How to create political space for climate action? Eivind Hoff.

Great Presentation On Story-Based Strategy

Jonah Sachs, the genius behind The Story of Stuff, explains his thinking that builds on the work of Joseph Campbell on myths and story-based strategy.

Link Loving 31.01.12

• Are you a campaigner? Live in the North of England? Come to Netroots Nation in Manchester on Feb 18th.
• Listen to how Ellen MacArthur promotes the sustainable economy in Davos in this clip – an absolute communications masterclass.
• And here’s her Circular Economy report (exec sum) which beautifully illustrates and explains the idea.
• Are we re-living 1970’s Soviet Russia – a stagnating culture readying itself for collapse. Adam Curtis.
• In honour of Saul Alinsky day, Hillary Clinton’s dark Alinskyite past. Joshua Keating.
• Create a meaningful life through meaningful work. Umair Haque.
• This is what it looks like when academics start a campaign.

Campaigners – Join The Common Cause Action Learning Process

Through case studies and coming together in community, a growing number of campaigners are exploring how to use a values approach in their work.

As part of that, my colleagues and I have put together an action learning process, which will take campaigners through a five month learning and innovation process.

Who is this for: Campaigners from UK-based medium/large NGOs who interact with the public and/or partner organisations. Each campaigner will need a colleague from their organisation to take part in the process – so that we have 20 campaigners from 10 NGOs. You’ll need to be willing to try new things inside your organisation and to take some risks. If you feel stuck in your work but believe in what’s possible – then this is for you.

When is it happening: Full days on 23rd February, 9-11th March, 12th April, 10th May, 14th June, 12th July. We’ll happily approach your NGO leadership with you to negotiate time to take part.

What is the cost: None, though we will be asking you to host trainings at your organisation (if there is room).

How many hours per week does it need: 2-4 hours a week for reading, sharing insights with your learning partner, and documenting the process.

Download the pdf with full details and details here.

If you’d like to take part or have any questions – please contact me: caspertk@gmail.com or 07912 491812.