***NOMINATIONS CLOSED***
UPDATE: It took quite a few weeks to trawl through all the fantastic nominations for ActionAid’s next outreach blogger, but finally the moment has arrived. We’ve chosen a shortlist!
Wanna know who’s been shortlisted? Follow ActionAid on Twitter where the shortlist is being announced LIVE TODAY!!
***ORIGINAL POST AND NOMINATIONS BELOW***
Do you have what it takes to be an ActionAid outreach blogger?
*ActionAid's original outreach blogger, Stilgherrian, in Tanzania. July 2009*
ActionAid Australia is searching for an energetic Australian to be our next outreach blogger, to help give poverty a voice.
Using blogs, Twitter, Facebook and more, the outreach blogger will travel to one of ActionAid’s program countries to help locals harness the power of social media to secure their human rights.
>>Learn more about ActionAid’s rights based approach to ending poverty
You don’t need to be a blogging expert, you just need to have an open mind and be passionate about fighting the root causes of poverty.
Social injustice and poverty are easy to ignore when hidden from view. Your mission will be to help bring attention to the scandal of poverty.
As ActionAid’s outreach blogger, you will give poverty a voice by:
- travelling to a remote area of an ActionAid program country
- training locals to use tools such as Twitter and blogs to shine a light on social injustice and human rights abuses
- reporting on your experiences on your own blog
>>Learn more about the TOTO challenge
How do I nominate myself?
*Be part of social media history*
To nominate yourself, simply post a comment below explaining why you should be the next outreach blogger?
You can also support the nomination of someone else by posting a comment below explaining why you think they would be the ideal choice for ActionAid.
This isn’t a popularity contest – there is no “voting”. ActionAid will judge all nominations on the quality of their comments and support they get from others. We’re after the best man or woman for the job.
Still not clear? Learn more about the TOTO challenge
52 nominations all up:
List last updated: 01 October 2009 at 11:10
>>Marissa Flynn
>>Katherine Hall
>>Jehna Paigan
>>Katarina Matic
>>Hatem El Zein
>>Claire Sharpin
>>Sash Milne
>>Corrina Grace
>>Rateb Salim
>>Harriet Riley
>>Ursula De Almeida
>>Jon Love
>>Antony Loewenstein
>>Paul Garrioch
>>Hannah Nicholson
>>Emily French
>>Yasmine Ernst
>>Joel Katz
>>Lewis Best
>>Bettina Tong
>>Jackson McLeod
>>Sharna Bremner
>>Bianca Douglas
>>David Rooney
>>Alexandra Fisher
>>Cassandra Doyle
>>Jaye Pittorino
>>Arif Khan
>>Rev. David B. Smith (aka Father Dave)
>>Kerilynn Daisy Petersen
>>Fiona Dalwood
>>Deborah Robinson
>>Skye Smith
>>Edward (Eddie) Harran
>>Stephen Collins
>>Duncan Riley
>>Marcel van Leeuwen
>>Melissa Russell
>>Billy Law
>>Anthony Bianco
>>Alex Schlotzer
>>Rod Lewis
>>Keith De La Rue
>>Steffi Rose
>>Jessica Brookes
>>Chris Graham
>>Michael Quall
>>Cameron Reilly
>>Neerav Bhatt
>>Julie Posetti
>>Renee Barnes
>>Laurel Papworth
Nominations closed 30 September 2009
ActionAid Australia still needs to raise $10,000 to fund the next outreach blog. Help give poverty a voice by donating to Project TOTO.
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Hi, I would like to nominate Laurel Papworth (aka @SilkCharm) who is probably the best Social Media trainer in Australia and someone who has real empathy with those who need and want to get their voice heard. Her work with women in Saudi, courses with not-for-profits and general work overseas in Morrocco, Asia and Europe make her ideal for the next Actionaid candidate.
Probably more than all of the above is her skill in truly activating a web 2.0 community, working effectively across all channels – she is regularly the top twitterer in Australia, 2nd or 3rd highest rated media/marketing blog and runs many and various online communities. And she cares about the dis-connected.
Her main blog is http://laurelpapworth.com and twitter http://twitter.com/SilkCharm. Testimonials can be found at http://laurelpapworth.com/testimonials/
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Iraqi blogger Riverbend gave us an alternative view on the War in Iraq in 2006. Iranian blogger Lolivashaneh gathered a global following when he lifted the curtain on one of the countries of the so-called Axis of Evil. That is why projects like this one are so important. They give an opportunity for those stories, issues and points of view currently under-represented in the traditional media a chance to be told.
This is an issue that is particularly close to my heart, as I start to undertake doctoral research into the opportunities for online media to give voice to those under-represented stories.
After about 10 years working as a journalist for the ABC, The Age, AAP and other news organisations I have been working as an online journalism lecturer at RMIT University in Melbourne.
I nominate myself as an outreach blogger because I bring passion for the intended outcomes of this project, writing and digital media skills, as well as, teaching ability. I believe these skills will help give a global voice to those not currently heard.
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hahaha cool. I’m glad you nominated me – but you said nicer things about me than I would’ve said about myself.
I want to nominate – in addition to myself – Julie Posetti:
“I’m a journalist and journalism academic from Canberra, Australia. I’m a digital immigrant but a journalism native! My media career began in the late 1980’s in the industrial city of Wollongong where I worked as a news reporter/reader for commercial radio and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), eventually becoming the ABC’s Regional News Editor. In the early 90’s I moved to Sydney as a reporter with ABC TV Documentaries before returning to my first love, radio, with the flagship ABC current affairs programs AM, PM and the World Today. In 1997, I was posted to the Canberra Press Gallery as a political correspondent for these programs. My reporting focus was on social justice issues including Aborignal affairs and ethnic communities. While I still call myself a journalist, I moved into academia in 2003 and I now teach radio and television journalism at the University of Canberra*. Teaching inspires me and I learn something new every day from my students, but research is my current motivator. I’m undertaking a PhD on the way the media portray Muslim women while continuing research into multicultural journalism and public broadcasting.”Julie’s piece for MediaShift http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2009/06/how-journalists-balance-work-personal-lives-on-twitter159.html garnered international attention.
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I second Gary Hayes nomination of Laurel. She is a worthy contender and my own professional experience with Laurel completely supports Gary’s views. I know she would have enormous empathy with the projects ActionAid are working within and bring great skills to this project beyond the blog.
Renee, I don’t know you but I think your proposal holds weight.
I would also like to put forward Neerav Bhatt, who is an ethical social commentator and campaigner, an activist for the environment and deeply knowledgeable about climate and the affect CSR has on these issues. He also put his money where is mouth is, donating to Amnesty International to champion the cause on Internet Censorship and the torture of individuals through his blog and consequently driving traffic, donations and awareness of the campaign. Neerav has an IT background to understand the technology challenges he may face. He also is an accomplished “train the trainer” in blogging.
I would also like to draw attention to Cameron Reilly for his passion and commitment at all times to social injustice. After interviewing Archie Law regardless of whether he takes part, he has absolute dedication to supporting this program to raise awareness of the issues. He especially is interested in ActioAid’s work across indigenous Australia. Given his flight to the Northern Territories maybe less, maybe two nominations could be considered!
Spoilt for choice! All candidates are worthy!
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At the risk of big-noting, I would like to nominate myself as The Outreach Blogger (sounds like earth’s geekiest super-hero, if you capitalise it like that).
I am not a journalist, and I don’t have the faintest idea what ‘Web 2.0′ even really means. I’ve never interviewed anyone ‘famous’ (although I’ve met plenty of well-known people, and worked alongside them tirelessly to change peoples’ lives). As far as I know, I haven’t received a rating of any note on any forum in any place that you’ve ever heard of (although I was once both the Young Canberra Citizen of the Year, and the ACT NAIDOC Aboriginal Youth of the Year).
I blog here http://blog.nomadiquemc.com/ and here http://today.com/nomadiquemc/ and here http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Identity-Hub and also have some half-arsed ideas about changing the world here http://www.galitjbirr.com.au/, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually called myself a ‘writer’.
Googling me will turn up some interesting results, none of which I am embarrassed or ashamed of, or from which I shy away to this day. Try also searching for ‘nomadiqueMC’, that’s mostly me. And I’m on Twitter and Facebook too.
My career to date can be divided into two parts – the first part involved infiltrating the Canberra bureaucracy as a fairly senior public servant, learning everything that I could about politics, government, public service, social policy, communications, governance and administration. The second part has been about passing this knowledge on to remote communities across Australia, and helping those communities tell their stories to a wider audience. Unless I am reading it wrong, this is in essence what the outreach blogger is all about.
I have lived and worked in such places as Halls Creek, Balgo and Kununurra; Mornington Island; Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs; and Cape York, and the Northern Peninsula Area. My cultural competency in english-as-a-subsequent-language communities is credible. I have also traveled to Japan, Germany and Canada to speak to young people about racism, and youth-led volunteerism.
I’m Aboriginal, which is probably not relevant, and I’m a qualified trainer, which might be relevant. I’m shy about myself, but loud about the things that matter.
And finally? I’d be interested in doing this ’cause it just sounds like a freakin’ awesome experience, and I am supremely jealous of @stilgherrian’s adventure as he tweets and blogs…
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I also support Cameron Reilly, due to his long running commitment to social justice.
I’d also like to suggest Chris Graham of Crikey and the National Indigenous Times, and any one of the crew from Engagemedia.
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and having missed Michael Quall’s post the first time, a massive >>THIS GUY<< to him.
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Michael Quall is the man for the task. Follow his comments on blogs & twitter, def gets my recommendation.
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I would like to support Michael Quall’s nomination. I like Michael’s “way” – he is both passionate and pragmatic and is committed to social justices issues. Michael shows a strong leadership without managing to be self-promoting at the expense of his cause. I always enjoy reading Michael’s writing, he is clear and thought provoking.
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I support Michael Quall; A concise and humorous writer who doesn’t shy away from challenge. He has immensely broad life experience, which is immediately evident when reading his blogs. I feel that not only does he write in a manner that is both accessible and entertaining for a wide range of people, he is also highly effective at engaging people through social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. Finally, I believe he has both the intellect and conviction to not only fulfill this role, but to excel in it.
-Dave R.
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I think Michael Quall would be an excellent outreach blogger. After following him on Twitter for a while I think his mix of understanding how power and bureaucracies work, and his ability to work closely with people on the outer of society, would be very powerful and help him to do a really good job.
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After reading Mik Quall’s post … you gotta admit .. he is just right for this kind of role. He is incredibly passionate, but humble about his work. I have had the pleasure of reading Mik’s blogs over the past two years, and was lucky enough to work with him when he was in Mornington Island. Simply reading his regular facebook updates demonstrates his commitment and dedication to issues about social injustice. He doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff; and I love the way he challenges my thinking on a regular basis.
As Barry above says … >>THIS GUY<< …
Good Luck with your nomination Mik, this is right up your alley.
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Thanks for a well thought-through comment on how social media experts/gurus/producers (whatever you call them) can help support social justice causes.
It’s important in all this debate about who’s shown what support to who, to remember why ActionAid is doing this project in the first place.
It’s not about Stilgherrian. It’s not about the next outreach blogger. It’s not about the Australian social media community as such.
The real reason we’re undertaking Project TOTO, is to give Australians an insight into life in a developing country – specifically what poverty and injustice really means and what can be done about it.
The real success measure, therefore, is the support we give to our outpost blogs. At the moment, that means our Tanzania bloggers – Albert and Abdul http://blogs.actionaid.org.au/tanzania
I’m happy to say they have had good support so far and I hope that continues. Thanks to everyone that’s commented on their blog and shown support in other ways.
This comment was originally posted on barry saunders
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I thoroughly enjoyed your post. The term social media producer encompasses the message that effective use of data, whether blog/image/twitter is about constructing meaning around message, as opposed to pushing a story.
This comment was originally posted on barry saunders
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Hey thanks Mark! and kudos to ActionAid for undertaking the project.
This comment was originally posted on barry saunders
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I agree Barry. There are times when these high-profile social media proponents” can use their influence to lead a project into a place where people can become more engaged and their voices heard more clearly. Some people probably find it more difficult to step back though.
This comment was originally posted on barry saunders
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@Harriet Yes! that’s exactly what I’m getting at.
@Tyler yes, definitely.I certainly not saying that high profile people should not get involved, but finding a balance where you can help without overriding the voices of other people can be hard.
This comment was originally posted on barry saunders
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i think we’re also at a nexus where two worlds are still trying to figure each other out.
‘old school’ community development and social justice practitioners are still ‘discovering’ social media and such fandangled stuff, and deciding for themselves if it fits their ‘capacity building’ and ’sustainability’ ethos and methodologies. [social media as a tool]
on the other hand, new media pioneers are discovering that what they do can have a positive impact on the world, and address issues that they have always cared about, but their ‘field of expertise’ has not previously contributed to in an overt way. and they like the feeling it gives them. [social media as a career]
both perspectives are equally valid, and both can have positive lasting effects on communities, and on issues of substance.
i like barry’s analogy of ‘producer’, because I’ve always thought of myself as ‘director’ – seeing the big picture, picking the tools, guiding the direction, analysing the results. but even good producers and directors need good talent – new, fresh and local mixed with the hardened, experienced imports.
This comment was originally posted on barry saunders
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I would like to nominate Jess – for a huge number of reasons – and im not sure im going to have the space on here to give her justice… but ill give it a shot!
Not only does she have all the skills required to get the facts down on (virtual) paper in an interesting and profound way, she also has a vast track record of helping others. She has already worked voluntarily for a number of causes (including ActionAid) in a number of roles, both domestically and abroad. So you know that she is experienced and truly dedicated and, in my opinion, it is people such as this who have already given up so much of their time for others who should be rewarded with such an opportunity
And also, she is naturally curious. Her desire to not only use the road less travelled, but to strike up a natural conversation with the strangers upon it makes her perfect for this position: ‘Where does the road go? Who built it? How do you think it could be improved?’ Jess will naturally be able to put the locals at ease, allowing her to rapidly get the full picture of their situation- a truly vital aspect of this position if a true representation of their experiences is to be reported.
I could go on for hours but instead I shall leave you with two, four letter words
Vote Jess
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Barry, great post… and I’m sorry to derail the conversation here slightly, but hopefully Mark is still monitoring the comments here; if he is, Mark, could I just ask, are you aware that the Project Toto blog is currently blocking search engines from indexing still? Was that an oversight when setting up Wordpress for it (privacy settings) or a conscious decision? Just thought I should bring it up in case
This comment was originally posted on barry saunders
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I’ve never blogged before. An update of my status on Facebook is about as sophisticated as I can master writing on the web. For years I wanted to be a lawyer, driven by a passion for social justice, “objections” and amazing white wigs. That was until I went traveling through Europe and South East Asia, until I began reading about, and susbsequently truly understanding, stories from people in the Middle East and Africa, which made everything else seem futile in comparison. Immediately my past dreams of being a high-flying lawyer evaporated, because I realised to do anything, to make a difference, to help, even in the tiniest of ways, I had to commit my life to emmersing myself with the very people I wanted to help.
I’m currently studying International Studies at the University of Sydney, with plans to do a double honours in history and government and international relations so I can become a journalist. I want to experience the countries and people I read about in the paper. However, it is more than that at the same time, I want to help them and make their plight, their suffering, their goals and triumphs a world cause, because essentially, thats how it should be.
I love writing and telling stories. I’m fascinated and passionate about the world and people in it. I don’t want my name enshrined in history books, but I do want to know the people that future generations will know of. I want to ensure that they are known by current generations. And finally, as Albert Einstein tells us “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”
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Hi there,
I highly recommend Sydney-based blogger Neerav Bhatt to be the next outreach blogger. Neerav is a passionate online community advocate – he is an experienced, professional blogger who has been extermely helpful to me and others. For example, through Neerav’s participation in Twitter and his blog, I have been able to expand my personal and professional network. He’s a highly articulate, personable guy too, and it just so happens that two of his passions are travel and photgraphy. A perfect fit!
See for yourself by visiting his blogs:
http://www.roadlesstravelled.com.au/
http://www.bhatt.id.au/blog/
http://twitter.com/neerav
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neeravbhatt/sets/Best regards,
Tony HollingsworthMore from author
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I’d love to nominate my friend Jess Brookes as the outreach blogger and trainer.
Not only does Jess work in social media and knows about it all, more importantly, she has the perfect personality and attitude – she is bubbly, sincere, passionate about life and ALWAYS willing to help. She has the right sort of mentality as a volunteer, she doesn’t do it for fame but rather, she is the type of girl that believes that small steps can make a difference.
I can see Jess bringing loads of joy and confidence to the locals.
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I’d like to lend support to Michael Quall’s nomination. Mik is not only passionate, but he is hugely personable too – without being self serving or self conscious. He doesn’t shy away from hard issues, and has taught me a fair bit – even though most of my interactions with him are through Twitter!
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I’ve got so much time for Jess so its easy to see how she wants to make time for other people…its part of her DNA, the selfless part of putting other people first but doing it in a non cliche no dramas kind of way.
she’d be great because she’d genuinely care about the outcomes when she’s there and more importantly when she gets back. The stories would be all the richer for Jess’s involvement because people universally open up more to people with her genuine nature. She’s not all sugar sweet there’s the street smart that comes shining through so tough is not a problem.
Social media is a great way to connect people to a great story. Jess will get you the great story in the most natural way and connect everyone along the way.
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This is a nomination for Jess Brookes. I met Jess in the middle of a muddy field as we worked to spread ActionAid’s message at a music festival. It was our joint passion for why we were there that made us friends in the first place, so I know first hand how infectious Jess’ belief in what ActionAid stands for can be.
She’s the only person I know who would literally jump out of a plane to raise awareness of the issues she cares about and, living the other side of the world from her, I know she’s already a social media expert!
Good luck Jess, I hope to share another amazing journey with you soon xx
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Most nominees here are far more worthy of this than I am – seriously. However, if you still need any more candidates, consider my hat to be in the ring.
I blog (and tweet – @kdelarue), and I have taught people about blogging. I have been writing my own web sites for 10 years.
I absorb other cultures by eating in Lebanese restaurants in Sydney Rd, Coburg, and go to difficult, remote places by walking around Little India when I go to Singapore to speak at conferences.
The most adventurous thing I have done is to travel 5,000 km by motorcycle from Melbourne to Karratha, WA, in 6 days (29 years ago).
I enjoy writing and talking, researching and teaching. I have been known to get passionate about injustice, and I support Oxfam and others from the comfort of my armchair.
I am not fazed by having to set up my own technology under difficult circumstances, and am quite used to helping others to get things working as needed.
Work-wise, I only need approval from myself to make the time available to go.
Does any of this qualify me to help out with this project? Probably nothing like as much as others here, but drop me a line if you run out of the really suitable people, and I’ll be there.
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I would like to ‘fifth’ Jess’s nomination. It can’t be doubted, she would be absolutely perfect. Her long list of volunteer activities speaks for itself but its surely Jess’s unstoppable and infectious personality that makes her the absolute best person for this role. Not just dedicated but incredibly inspiring, she immediately brings out the best in people – not sure if it comes naturally or not but it sure looks and feels like it when you’re in Jess’s sphere of influence! And i know – i jumped out of a plane with her
Go Jess Go. -
My name is Alex Schlotzer. I might not be as well known as some of the other nominees but I’d like to nominate myself. Like other nominees, a Google search will bring up a pretty extensive list of my involvement in different activities. And like others I’m proud of those things and don’t resile from them.
When I saw this project come up on Twitter I was very excited to see an organisation like Action Aid Australia embrace the power of the Internet and its ability to reach millions of people simultaneously. After following Stilgherrian’s blog and Twitter feed, I figured I’d jump at a chance to help people in third world countries speak out about their own experience in their own words, and as it happens.
I’ve been using the Internet for over 15 years for political and community organising and action. I have actively campaigned for a range of social justice, public health & education and environmental issues through the Internet, as well as on-the-ground; and have actively integrated on-the-ground activism with online activism. I have also worked to use web 2.0, social media, mobile platforms and things like widgets for online activism and as tools for online activists. My working life has been in advocacy, social justice and political campaigning work, through student unions and trade unions, as well as in small grassroots community organisations. My involvement in politics as a candidate, campaigner, campaign manager and a former convenor of the Victorian Greens has given me a great deal of understanding about the political process. My active engagement in politics at an international level has also given me good understanding the political processes and dynamics of other countries; and not just the .
I actively use my personal blog and a combination of Twitter, social networking and live blogging to cover events and to speak out about things like human rights and climate change; and promote events, activities, rallies and demonstrations. I am also involved in a range of different social justice, trade union and environmental action websites.
I’m not an academic but have written numerous essays about online organising and activism, including electronic civil disobedience. I’ve also written numerous how-to guides for different groups for using the Internet for online and on-the-ground activism.
I think that I have the experience and technical skills to help give people the basic skills to use Internet technologies for their own advocacy work and needs.
Some personal honours and achievements:
* Rotary Youth Leadership Awardee (including honorary RYLA Annual Rotary chairman and guest speaker at Bundaberg West Rotary)
* Member of Bundaberg Youth Parliament delegation
* Queensland Young Leader of the Opposition
* CQU Student Association Vice PresidentBut there are already a lot of worthwhile nominations, which speaks to the enthusiasm that this project is creating; and that people are ready to help others use the Internet for online activism and advocacy. Whoever is chosen will undoubtedly be an excellent ambassador for Action Aid Australia and transfer some top quality skills. And regardless of who is chosen I’d be more than happy to assist in whatever ways possible to see this project continue.
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Having read the nominations on this page as well as quickly browsing people’s respective blogs, one in particular stands out for my support – Michael Quall.
Michael comes across as practical and down-to-earth and having worked extensively in communities and with peoples of other cultures myself, these two qualities go a long way to treating others with respect and dignity. Coupled with his passion for social justice issues, this bloke gets my support hands-down.
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I’m with Sue and Barry : a >>THIS GUY<< for Michael Quall.
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Hello there. My name is Jessica Brookes and I would like to nominate myself as the next outreach blogger for Action Aid.
When I was 19 my cousin (from Venezuela) was murdered by guerillas in Columbia, she was researching resources in the area, and was only 23 years old. Since then I have made two promises to myself:
1. I will not take life for granted, as one never knows what’s around the corner.
2. That I will do all I can to make the lives of those less fortunate better – having seen the suffering my family went through; I’m determined to help.This has resulted in me going on many adventures physically, emotionally and mentally. After the tsunami in South East Asia 2004, I traveled to Thailand and spent my summer helping rebuild the island of Phi Phi one of the worst affected areas. This was very unglamorous work, physically demanding but massively rewarding.
In addition I have actively supported ActionAid (UK) and Oxfam (UK & Australia) and recently The Wilderness Society. I’ve organised big events, campaigned to raise awareness, given blood and money, offered advice digitally and offline for engagement strategies, lobbied government and celebrities all in order to support causes that are very close to my heart. I commit my travel to areas where my money can make a difference; a recent trip to Cambodia was a very confronting experience, very haunting yet inspiring and making me ever more aware of the human rights issues faced in the world today.
I believe that every little bit can make a difference, have faith in human kindness and I hope that with social media a great opportunity to inform and educate from a grassroots level has presented itself. As we have already seen recently in Iran; digital platforms such as Twitter and YouTube kept the issue in the media and sustained the pressure on the Iranian regime. Corruption happens hidden away in the dark and social media has the ability to bring this to light.
Working for a social media agency, I have a good understanding of the space, appreciate the importance of community and feel passionately about using it for a positive agenda on social justices to promote human rights. I think to many people the world’s problems can seem too complex, distant and overwhelming so blogging from those affected will translate quite simply what these issues are and mean for these people whilst empowering them.
Having studied Public International Law, I recognise the barriers for International Organisations to make headway such as bureaucracy, restrictions and one of the biggest issues we face, apathy.
Well, that’s me, heart on sleeve. Good luck ActionAid; I have ultimate respect for your campaign and hope that I can bring my experience, skills and determination to bear in this important opportunity, and if not in this capacity, then I hope I can work with you in the future.
Much love,
JessMore from author
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While all nominees seem articulate and eloquent, I must say that Michael Quall stands out as someone who has something valid to say and uses blogging to say it. That says ‘The Outreach Blogger’ all over doesn’t it?
He has had some wonderful ‘outreach’ experience as well as extensive blogging experience. In my mind, I suspect that anyone who hasn’t had experience in challenging situations might not be able to blog in a positive way – they might be overcome with cultural shock and ‘whinge’ rather than effectively reach out. From seeing Michael’s blogs, he’s unafraid of calling a spade a spade and standing up for what he believes in. He also seems to revel in understanding others’ on a real human level. I think he’s your guy.
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I would like to nominate myself. I have a background in both Communications and ICT, along with teaching and tuition experience. I volunteer as a mentor with young refugees and am consequently learning to speak, read & write Swahili. While I presently work in Climate Change and Sustainability, my previous work has been with the Deaf, multi-disabled and in the HIV sector.
I’m very passionate about helping people and improving the world we live in. I have a calm disposition and a friendly, outgoing nature, allowing me to get along easily with those I meet. I pride myself on my humour, flexibility and the ease at which I can adapt to unexpected situations. I’m equally confident leading or following, as the situation requires.
I have a creative, theatrical streak and enjoy thinking outside the box. Equally so, I can be formal and conservative if needed. I consider myself to be full of as many contradictions as life itself! My motto is “Life is an adventure”.
Rod LewisMore from author
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Hi, I would like to nominate myself as an ActionAid Australia Outreach Blogger.
My name is Anthony Bianco, and I am the author of ‘The Travel Tart – Offbeat Tales From a Travel Addict.’
While my blog usually focuses on the funny and offbeat aspects of world travel, it also touches on the various social issues people of the world have to face. I have already written numerous posts on ‘The Travel Tart’ which highlights the issues of poverty and social injustice, but also the unwavering spirit of these people.
Some examples of these posts are listed here:
Child Birth – African Style
http://www.thetraveltart.com/child-birth-african-style/Tribal Textiles – An African Success Story
http://www.thetraveltart.com/tribal-textiles-an-african-success-story/Coffin Workshops – Africa’s Fastest Growing Industry
http://www.thetraveltart.com/coffin/Orange Crush – There’s Plenty in Tanzania
http://www.thetraveltart.com/orange-crush/Be Grateful You Have A Washing Machine
http://www.thetraveltart.com/washing-machine/I always backup the story with photography, which is another aspect of travel I am also interested in.
My Twitter account is http://twitter.com/thetraveltart, which has over 4100 followers as of July 2009. I have been very active on Twitter and have found it extremely useful in engaging with others interested in all things travel. Many of my blog posts have been re-tweeted by some well established travel enterprises, such as Lonely Planet, Qantas Travel Insider and Matador Network. I would be more than willing to pass on how to use Twitter effectively, as well as how to set up websites and using blogging software such as Wordpress, and other social networking applications including StumbleUpon and Digg.
I would also regularly tweet (technology permitting) to my Twitter account if I undertook an ActionAid Blogger project. I also have an understanding of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), and would transfer this knowledge to others so that their posts would appear in search engine results regularly, based on certain keywords.
I have travelled to 6 continents, including developing countries that ActionAid work in – including Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. I enjoy immersing myself in the culture of other places, and enjoy the variety and diversity these aspects of travel provide. Hence, that’s why I called my website ‘The Travel Tart’ – because I love travelling so much!
I currently work in the not-profit-sector on a Cancer Helpline providing information and emotional support to all those affected by cancer, and I appreciate the value and contribution to society such organisations undertake. I am a cancer survivor myself, and find this work especially rewarding. I also have a background in Environmental Science which also involved engaging locals in places such as Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Philippines and Argentina.
In terms of events like this, I have directly related experience – I was the only Australian blogger (1 of 5 international bloggers) to be invited the Pesta Blogger 2008 conference in Indonesia, which means ‘Blogger Party’. This trip involved travelling throughout Indonesia on a week long blogging trip, experiencing the culture and great hospitality of the Indonesian people.
More information about this trip is shown here:
http://www.nickbowditchtravel.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=137:anthony-reviews-the-blogger-conference-in-indonesia-for-nick-bowditch-travel&catid=57:anthony-bianco&Itemid=138I always learn these words in the language of every country I visit – Hello, Goodbye, Please, Thank You and Beer, and take care to respect cultural differences. I also speak conversational Spanish. I don’t take myself too seriously, but I take the work that I do very seriously!
Hope to talk soon! Thanks!
Cheers
AnthonyMore from author
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I would like to support the nomination of Anthony Bianco. Anthony has an open mind, a sharp written wit, a passion for social media, and a commitment to addressing injustice by blogging for human rights consciousness.
From reading his blogs, it becomes clear that his love of travelling is really a love for cultural diversity, motivated by a desire to capture the daily life and courageous spirit of communities that are affected by injustice.
Importantly – people read his work and enjoy his writing. He would be a powerful advocate for ActionAid Australia and a champion for your cause.
As a bonus, he comes with a large number of online followers who subscribe to his writing and care equally about overcoming injustice.
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Hi, hope I am not too late for the nomination.
My name is Billy Law, 32yo, Malaysian Chinese background, and I would like to nominate myself. I am a professional photographer and web designer by trade, and also a food enthusiast with a foodblog named A Table for Two.
I’ve been working in digital advertising for over 9 years and decided to leave the industry 2 years ago to chase after my dream to become a photojournalism photographer. I recently had my first solo exhibition about the Victorian Bushfire tragedy with artwork sales commissions donated to the victims. That’s just the first step and I am already looking forward to more opportunities in near future. I consider myself lucky to be able to do something I am passionate about and still able to help the community.
And a totally different side of me, I run a foodblog called A Table For Two. It is not political, it is not charity focus, and definitely has nothing to do with social media strategy. But is all about FOOD, yes, food – the most fundamental need for human survival. As much as I like good food, I believe we all sometimes can be ungrateful and take it for granted. I am originally born and bred in Malaysia and migrated to Australia in 1996. Food that I grew up on was nothing fancy, it can be as cheap as 50 cents and still can be very tasty. This helps explain why I can get annoyed when I’m told someone considers a AUD$45, 3-course meal at some ‘one chef’s hat’ restaurant a bargain to beat the credit crunch. I am wondering what they will be eating in poor countries with AU$45 = 652,055 Vietnamese Dong = 313,503 Lao Kip = 154,315 Cambodian Riel.
I am grabbing this opportunity to nominate myself is because I actually will be heading to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in August for 2 weeks to try and see how I can help the locals through my photography and my blog. During my stay in the south-east Asia countries, I will be interested to look into the local culture and lifestyle, especially the monks in the monastery. Back to basic may help me to appreciate food even more.
I am not very good at blowing my own trumpet, so I hope my work can speak for themselves. I hope my experience, skills and determination can be put into good use and be part of this meaningful project.
my photography: http://www.billylaw.com.au
my blog: http://www.atablefortwo.com.au
my twitter: http://twitter.com/atablefortwoCheers,
Billy LawMore from author
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I’d like to nominate myself for this incredible experience.
In 2002 I took a year off work and travelled the world with my partner … we dubbed our trip M & M’s Excellent Adventure … and excellent it was! Life changing, of course. Already open-minded, already socially conscious, already generous-hearted, I couldn’t have imagined how much more I would CARE after such an incredible experience.
We wrote regular updates home and in our final wrap up we said … “Travelling is a journey of spirit. A point of no return. For no matter who you are when you start out, travelling is an act of becoming, an invitation for the earth, the universe, the cosmos, to touch you, to somewhere, somehow, leave its indelible imprint and change you forever.”
I was changed forever. Since then, and more and more, I’m drawn to DO something.
On the Global Poverty Project’s Facebook Page they asked “What does it take to end extreme poverty?” I responded, “perhaps it starts with personal humility, gratitude and a sense of service to humanity … looking at where we are greedy in our own lives …”
I’m starting there and I plan to keep going …to connect my life to the lives of others in ways that makes a difference. I use Facebook, chat tools and whatever I can to get people thinking, acting, making THEIR difference. To remember that we are all the same -you think, feel, hunger, hurt and love, just like I do.
When you really see, hear and feel the lives of others you can finally really see, hear and feel yourself.
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Having known Melissa Russell for over a year,I can fully support her nomination readily.Her intelligence,perception,exuberance at life and her thoughtfulness of others whether at home or abroad are always above and beyond the norm and a source of enthusiasm for myself and,I am sure,all of those around her.
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I would like to lend my support to Melissa Russell as I think she could make a huge difference to people lives.
I met her when her family hired me as their whale swimming guide in Tonga last year. Malissa was very open minded, well traveled and an experienced ‘eco’ diver.
I wish her all the best on this honorable quest -
Great initiative and I think I know just the right person for the placement.
I would like to nominate Melissa Russell.
Melissa has an incredibly strong sense of obligation to her fellow man, particularly towards those that find themselves in hopeless or dire situations such as extreme poverty or abuse. It is this sense of obligation and social justice that has drawn Melissa to such countries as Southern Sudan where she worked with the UNDP implementing the Rule of Law into a violent and cruel “new” country, and Zambia where she visited and supported local villages, helping locals who are surviving on little more than gritty spinach and whatever meagre forms of protein they can cobble together.
Melissa inquisitiveness and bold approach to life have led in her many differnet directions and I am as yet unaware of any situation that has been able to stop her. She is remarkably resilient and a natural born problem solver who will try anything and make a success of it more often than not. Melissa’s travel experiences are numerous and have taken her through some of the poorest countries in the world in Africa and South America, as well as some of the most violent and politically corrupt.
Melissa has a proven ability to communicate very well with people from a diverse range of cultures, demonstrated both by her work in Africa and Asia. In my profession communication across all mediums is absolutely essential to success and I have no hesitation in saying that Melissa is one of the best, if not the best communicator I have come across in 23 years of business.
If you are looking for a mature, professional, passionate, diligent, caring, giving and truly committed person for this placement Melissa will deliver on all counts.
Regards
Michael
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I would like to endorse the nomination of Melissa Russell as the next ActionAid outreach blogger. I had the privilege of working with Melissa in Southern Sudan, which is a complex and challenging development situation. Melissa always sought to connect with people, experience anything that could be experienced and support people to work out how they could improve their situation. And, she’s hyper-organised and never misses a deadline, which doesnt hurt.
I’ve also followed Melissa’s travel updates, and I’ve been entertained by her wit, informed by her anecdotes and touched by the way that she puts the person in a story. Melissa would make an amazing outreach blogger for ActionAid!
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I’d Like to add something in support of Melissa Russell
I believe Melissa would be a great Candidate for this Project as she thrives on Helping others and Has a Great sense of Adventure, She also LOVE’s to Travel.
Melissa Is a Great Leader and Is very passionate about projects that are about Giving and Helping to improve the lives of others. With Melissa as your choice You would have no problem ..”giving poverty it’s voice..” -
Blogging is an incredibly useful tool in many contexts and it’s great that ActionAid is promoting the use of blogging.
I am supporting Melissa Russell’s bid to become your next Outreach Blogger. Teaching the art of blogging requires a number of skills, one of which is being able to write colourfully about everyday experiences. However, other skills include being able to teach, being patient, listening and making the lessons interesting for others to learn. Finally, in this context it would be very important to be able to relate to persons with radically different lives than your own. Having worked with Melissa in Southern Sudan, I believe she is an excellent candidate that fulfills all these criteria.
Plus she is energetic, creative and funny. She makes me laugh.
If she is chosen, in addition to the 2 weeks teaching people about blogging overseas, I am certain she would bring this experience back to Australia and keep fighting to undo social injustice and poverty.
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I would like to support and nominate Melissa Russell.
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I’d like to add my support for Billy Law’s nomination.
I believe Billy would be a great asset to Action Aid and the Outreach Blogger programme.
As well as a great understanding of blogging techniques, Billy’s infectious enthusiasm, exceptional photographic skills his entertaining writing style would ensure serious messages Action Aid need to convey get circulated to a broad audience both in Australia and beyond.
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I would like to support Melissa Russell’s nomination. I have known Melissa for many years and she is passionate about many things, most especially helping people, teaching, travelling and communication. All of this makes her perfect for the role combined with her great sense of fairness and desire to make a difference in the world.
When communicating, she is incredibly patient, a great listener, able to see both sides of any story, has a great way of explaining, clarifying, breaking things down into chunks so that it is easy to understand and digest and is genuinely interested in the heart of the situation.
She is compassionate, professional, diligent, hard working, trustworthy, friendly, fun and more than capable of taking on any challenge and doing it justice. She will take on a project, totally own it, work out the best way to approach it, utilise the most appropriate resources and deliver above expectations.
This would be totally in alignment with her passion to make a difference in the world!
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I’d like to nominate myself as the next outreach blogger.
(website is being worked on at present).
However ; as an award winning ad man and winning entrepreneur (dutchman in New Zealand) with the backing of a euro champions league football club to my next project ; it be easily converted to aid action aid (my ex Brazilian g.f. was accountant for a.a. there a while back (Jean still there??) so i’m very familiar with action aid).
meanwhile my mission is to create the biggest team on earth and collecting a minimum of one dollar per person to sign up for my biggest team on earth. Marketing has been done : Soccer/Football ; and I have the products! Can do for a.a.au.
cheers , Marcel -
I’m deeply humbled by the generous and thoughtful support from friends and colleagues. Thank you!
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I would like to add my vote for Melissa Russell.
I have only know Melissa for a short time but in that time Melissa has shown herself to be passionate about world issues and the plight of others less fortunate than ourselves as well as offering viable solutions to help these people help themselves.
Melissa has demonstrated skills that would make her ideal in this role and I know, given the chance Melissa would tackle the challenge in the same way she aproaches life, with passion and commitment.
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I’d like to put my support behind Laurel Papworth (aka @SilkCharm).
She has a demonstrated ability to build communities from nothing, especially the target audience of Actionaid.
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Giving consideration to your email yesterday I would like to nominate myself for the position of Outreach Blogger.
Unlike a number of the other candidates I am neither a passionate advocate for social justice nor have I widely traveled. My largest experience of poverty was noticing how many homeless people there are on the streets of San Francisco.
I was raised in a mostly white, middle class area of Sydney, and although growing up there were times money was tight, I have never gone without.
Indeed, I am the least likely person most would consider for this position, which is why I might actually be the best candidate.
I have no pre-conceptions about poverty in Africa besides having read that it exists. I do however have a reasonable idea that the 100% negative coverage of Africa offered by the media undoubtedly ignores good things happening across the continent in regional development, aid, and improvements in Governance.
In this position I would offer outreach that would be structured in a way that most people would understand because like most people I know little about the situation coming into it. I offer an open mind that seeks to find the truth on the ground, and write about it.
As the founder of the world’s first blog dedicated to blog news in 2003 (The Blog Herald), through to the founding of blog network b5media and today running The Inquisitr I have lived communication on a scale that few can match in Australia, and I would bring those skills into the role. I am also able to leverage existing networks in promotion, and can also take the message to the nearly 3 million readers The Inquisitr has every month.
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I’d like to nominate Stephen Collins (@trib) and endorse Cameron Reilly as well
Tom Reynolds
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My nomination is for Melissa Russell. Have only know Melissa for a short time. I have found her to be a passionate and driven person, who has a lot to give to the community at a local level, and globally as seen by the great work she has done n Sudan.
She would be an asset to ActionAid, and will indeed give poverty a voice – she has a loud one.
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I’d like to nominate Jessica Brookes for the Outreach post. I only met Jess recently whilst visiting Sydney. As a friend of a friend she offered to put me up for a few nights and was surprised by Jess and her boyfriend Chris’s warm hospitality and generousity to a relative stranger.
Jess strikes me as someone with passion for helping people and the skills and intelligence to really make a difference to those most in need of it. I think her strong marketing background work and charity missions go a long way to making Jess a real asset to such a project and the personality and enthusiam to go above and beyond its demands.
Good Luck Jess!
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Duncan Riley. That anyone else is even being considered is a disgrace.
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I’m incredibly flattered that Tom nominated me and I’d be delighted to take up the effort for ActionAid.
I considered nominating myself but thought that would be a bit self-centered.
I’m pretty well known in Australian social media and tech circles as a social media commentator and community builder. I blog at http://www.acidlabs.org/ professionally and at http://www.stepgencollins.org/ personally. I’m also a contributor to the ABC’s Unleashed public policy blog (http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2547659.htm) and am gearing up to do some writing for the Centre for Policy Development (http://www.cpd.org.au). You can find me on several social networks, but on Twitter I’m @trib.
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I would like to nominate myself as the next outreach blogger (although Laurel Papworth would also be a good choice). In addition to sharing another culture/reality with readers of Australian Women Online, I would like the opportunity to help raise awareness of poverty and social injustice in the developing world.
My credentials are that I am a self-taught journalist and web developer. In 2007 I founded Australian Women Online (AWO), an online magazine style website and blog for women in Australia and NZ over 25. Along with other contributors to AWO, I have worked hard to give women from all walks of life a voice. We often promote worthy causes on the website and have published articles that led to positive change in the community.
AWO has been involved in projects related to social justice before, for example; in 2008 we supported UNIFEM’s ‘Say No to Violence Against Women’ campaign on the website, encouraging our readers and visitors to sign the worldwide petition which was presented to the UN in November 2008. With the support of the website, one of our team has signed up to participate in Ocsober for Life Education Australia, raising much needed funding to educate kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
What I can bring to the project is: Although AWO is mostly frequented by women, our readers are wives, mothers, professionals, business owners, community leaders and others, who have influence in the private and/or public sphere. AWO is also part of the larger Flossie Network which has greatly extended our reach in Australia and overseas.
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Hi everyone,
I would like to nominate Edward Harran for the position of ActionAid Australia’s OutReach blogger. I’ve never met Eddie face-to-face, which I think makes this nomination much more powerful as most of your readers will only get to know the blogger through the digital realm.
Although I haven’t met Edward in person, I’m constantly inspired, challenged and motivated by his words, actions and caring personality. Eddie has been involved in social media since the get-go, has a very successful blog at http://edwardharran.posterous.com/ and tweets a consistent stream of both conscious, original thought and external, interesting links.
In the short time I have known Eddie, he has helped me consider my own thinking on a huge number of topics, from social media, to world peace. I know he is an aspiring social entrepreneur and is already heavily involved in relevant (real!) communities within the Qld/Brisibane community.
Having worked in the global aid and poverty alleviation field recently myself and still being aware of to the ongoing actions of VGen, Stir, The Oaktree Foundation and the Global Poverty Project, I know Eddie would be a tremendous ambassador and fit for ActionAid Australia’s Outreach Blogger.
Please feel free to email/call me for a further vocal nomination. (Zero Four Two One 366 772)
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You cannot go past Edward (Eddie) Harran for this role.
Eddie authors http://www.DigitalForGood.com/
“”Exploring Digital Technology and Social Media for Social Good – The Mainfesto for Geeks who Care. Digital For Good is a small part in a larger movement. All around the world, digital technology and social media is rapidly transforming the world. This blog is an attempt to highlight how, what and where this is happening.”Take one look at Eddie’s website or @DigitalForGood (& @EdwardHarran) on Twitter and you’ll see that this role was designed with exactly him in mind. I’d love to see him involved with ActionAid and know that he’d do the most terrific job.
A passionate digital native who is a thought leader in the area of digital media as a platform to create movements, enact change and prosper communities.
Have a look at what he can acheive in a little under a week:
http://www.digitalforgood.com/2009/03/nten09-fundraising-campaign-a-big-thank-you-to-donars-and-supporters/If anyone can change the world it’s Eddie Harran, let’s give him the opportunity.
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I nominate Edward Harran for many reasons but mainly for his commitment to use digital for good – http://www.digitalforgood.com
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Chances are your nomination comments are about to be overloaded with positive affirmations as to why Edward (Eddie) Harran is the most suitable candidate for the next Outreach Blogger.
As will be echoed by many in support of Eddie – there is no better person to passionately and diligently share the work of ActionAid Australia with his social media networks.
He is the author of Digital For Good (www.digitalforgood.com ) which explores digital technology and social media for social good. It is his contribution to a larger world-wide movement and inspires us on a daily basis.
Eddie’s passion in this arena can also be found if you follow him @DigitalForGood or @EdwardHarran on Twitter. There is no doubt that in Eddie you would find a person that encapsulates exactly what ActionAid Australia stands for. He is the type of person that would never nominate himself for this but fortunately has a number of loyal and inspired friends who will vouch for the fact that there is no other person better suited for this role.
This young man is a thought leader who with the right channels and support will create change and develop digital and real communities. An opportunity such as this would only be the beginning for the journey that awaits Edward Harran.
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When reading about this challenge the name that shines above the rest is @edwardharran
I’ve known Eddie *digitally* for years but when we finally met in person earlier this year in Brisbane he was telling me about how he had just pulled off a really impressive crowdsourcing project to raise money for flights to the NTEN conference in San Fran ( http://www.rosshill.com.au/article/how-eddie-harran-got-to-san-francisco/)
He’s a man who not only knows his stuff, but makes it happen. He’d be perfect for the role!
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I would like to nominate Eddie Harran for the position of ActionAid Australia’s OutReach blogger.
Eddie Harran is a young, energetic and committed social entrepreneur with an unrelenting motivation to change the world. His passion for this space is infectious, causing me to reconsider my own entrepreneurial focus in new ways beyond my own personal and professional goals.
Eddie is also a serious contributor online, both through his blog and twitter accounts and I believe it is these skills which make the difference between a passionate social advocate and an effective thought leader.
Cheers,
Ned Dwyer
@nedwin
http://mynameisned.comMore from author
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I nominate Stephen Collins because he genuinely cares about the social situations of this world.. Also because he is an expert in social media and will know how to leverage the technology to get maximum ‘bang for the buck’.
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I would like to second the nomination for Edward (Eddie) Harran @edwardharran . He has a passion for Social Media and worthy causes with a lot of practical experience. He is a wonderful communicator who would be able to empathies and guide in what would be a culturally demanding and inspiring role.
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Nomin8 me 4 outreach blogger @ActionAid_Aus. Y? Savvy, hard-working & passion8. Want 2 make a difference by doing my fav thing – travel.
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I would like to nominate Edward Harran, who is a passionate advocate for, and believer in, digital for good. I’ll let Eddie introduce himself but if you want to know about him you, visit http://edwardharran.com/ or http://edwardharran.posterous.com/ or http://twitter.com/edwardharran/.
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I would like to endorse Eddie Harran (@edwardharran). This guy is the most enthusiastic person I have ever met, and has passion, and belief in the power of social media for positive change make him perfect for this position. Bromance, Eddie!
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I nominate Edward Harran as the next outreach blogger – his tech skills and his blogging experience speak for themselves but his passion is what really makes him unique.
His integral participation in local and global projects have taken him to conferences and events around the world, and connected him with people, causes, and organizations at home and abroad: things like the Nonprofit Technology Conference, #4Change global conversations, and much more.
He is, at all times, a listener, a teacher, a learner, and a sharer – naturally. And it all comes through in his blogging and online storytelling. As a digital pilgrim, you can find him in many different places online, extending his help, his expertise, and his smile.
You can connect with Eddie:
twitter.com/edwardHarran
http://www.digitalforgood.com/
http://edwardharran.com/More from author
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I’d like to nominate Eddie Harran (@edwardharran) as the next outreach blogger. I can’t think of anyone else that fits the criteria more than Eddie would. He holds a great energy and genuine passion for both social media and it’s use for social change. He has a number of blogs including one for his travels and one for “Digital For Good”: http://www.digitalforgood.com .
His Twitter accounts are :
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I would like to 2nd the nomination for Eddie Harran (@edward harran) of http://www.digitalforgood.com. Through Twitter Eddie educated me about microlending through sharing about his own lending http://www.kiva.org/, and micropatronage by supporting his mate who had an awesome project to travel the world mapping projects of social change and innovation http://bit.ly/drgkf.
I think Eddie is a very deep thinker and feels deeply for people and the world and he has really stood out to me in the Twitter world.
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I can’t think of a better person than the digital Godfather himself, Edward Harran.
The fact that your responses are filled with people putting him forward is a pretty obvious indication of his influence in the digital and social media space.
I think if you research nearly all of those that have posted comments previous to me and measure their respective spheres of influence, add that to Eddie’s already extensive one and you can probably get your message to reach half the globe with the dude.
Chris Raine
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I too would like to nominate Edward (Eddie) Harran. We met at the NTEN conference in San Francisco, and it’s become clear to me through our relationship since then that his passion is unparalleled, and that his unique skills in building collaborative support and using social media tools to do good make him a highly qualified resource for this role. Just take a look at his blog (www.digitalforgood.com) and twitter presence (@EdwardHarran) to see how much community, experience and influence he’s already cultivated that could directly benefit ActionAid Australia. I can’t imagine a more thoughtful, inspired person for this role than Eddie.
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I’d like to add my support for Edward Harran as your next ActionAid outreach blogger.
He has been able to develop and involve an enviable network, to show clarity and generosity of thought and continues to demonstrate commitment to to the social good with an authentic, original and caring voice.
Edward would be a great ambassador for ActionAid and bring great energy to the Outreach Blog program.
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I’d like to add my voice to those who are recommending Eddie Harran. I have had the privilege of knowing Eddie and his online activism for some time now, and he has been greatly helpful in the development of Edgeware’s activity in the online domain(s). I am certain that he would make a remarkable contribution to the Actionaid agenda.
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I nominate Edward Harran (or Digital For Good) – when I first came upon this initiative, Eddie is the first and only person in mind that is perfect for this role.
I do not need to reinstate what he does as his social media accounts, websites and previous nominations for Eddie.
This is the type of initiative in which a person such as Eddie will shine a light on human rights – in turn, a project of this scope will be a great personal and professional development opportunity for him.
- Hannah Suarez
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I am nominating Edward Harran. I enjoy following him on Twitter, he is consistently inspiring and speak from the heart.
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Hello
I would like to endorse Edward Harran’s candidacy for this project. I followed Ed’s blog (digitalforgood.com) and his tweets on twitter @edwardharran and recently met him face to face in Far North Queensland.I think Ed’s social media and blogging skills are evident when you look at his site and endorsed by the comments made by others. I would like to comment on a couple of other areas of Ed’s expertise and knowledge. First, Ed lives and has gone to school in a regional area like Far North Queensland; this gives Ed a unique perspective of what it is like to live away from major resources and infrastructure. As part of the FNQ experience Ed lives in an area with a high indigenous population again equipping him with lots of first hand knowledge, connections and knowledge of the diverse lived experience of indigenous people.
Ed is committed to capacity building in people and organisations. I think he has a very gentle manner which will aid the training component of this work. In addition, I have no doubt that Ed will use this experience (if successful) to assist the not for profit sector and the issues it advocates on his return to Australia. Investing in Ed for this project, will be an investment that brings returns well into the future.
I wish Ed all the best, and this project much success.
Warm regards
Michelle Hollywood
Advocacy & Social Change ConsultantMore from author
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I would like to nominate Edward Harran for the role. Reading through the description there is absolutely no doubt that he is the right person for the position. I live thousands of miles away from Australia and have been following with much interest his inspiring work and thoughtful commentary. His passion is second to none and is extremely contagious…
His work and words speak for themselves:
http://www.digitalforgood.com
http://www.twitter.com/edwardharran
http://www.twitter.com/digitalforgoodMore from author
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Eddie Harran (@edwardharran) is the ideal candidate as the next outreach blogger.
His passion, dedication and insights into social media and its power in driving social change are not only to be commended but admired.Eddie inspires those who know him and those who know his work. His thoughtful insights and ability to write in meaningful and succinct stories make him an exceptionally engaging blogger.
Eddie’s ideas, generousity and enthusiasm for using social media for good would make him a persuasive and respected ActionAid blogger.See for yourselves at:
- http://www.digitalforgood.com
- http://www.twitter.com/edwardharran
- http://www.twitter.com/digitalforgood -
I can highly recommend Eddie Harran, he is an extraordinary young person, driven by a strong will to have positive impact and he would from my point of view be the perfect fit for this role, check out his blog at http://www.DigitalForGood.com/
He’s part of our global network (www.sandbox-network.com) and definitely an outstanding social entrepreneur!
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Last year, I came to Australia to give a keynote at a nonprofit conference. Before I came, I was tweeting about social media for social good and that I was going to Austraila. I “met” Eddie Harran via Twitter. I was very impressed with his passion and sharing of his work. Don’t take my word for it, check out his work. He writes Digital For Good (www.digitalforgood.com ) which explores social media for social good.
He is your perfect choice for an outreach blogger.
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I nominate Eddie Harran – he has a fantastic network and is the perfect blogger for your outreach efforts. All the previous comments are the evidence.
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I would like to second the votes for Eddie (Edward) Harran as the ideal candidate for this position.
I could go over all the comments that already (and accurately) depict this guy as the most genuine, energetic, passionate social media guru we’ve all ever met, but I’d like to nominate him from a different angle – on his social media consultancy skills.
This role requires someone who is not only passionate about teaching people of the power of social media, but is skilled at funneling all of his/her knowledge about this insanely complicated and convoluted world of social media and social media theories in order to achieve very specific outcomes.
Although Eddie’s primary motives for utilising Social Media are selfless and aimed towards using ‘Social Media for Social Change’, he has also consulted me on a number of occasions about how to best implement social media in the business world. Even though he may sometimes cringe at the thought of using social media to make money for big corporations, he still understands how. Better yet, he understands how to teach the sometimes very conservative business men and women we deal with how to properly embrace social media as an integral and direct line of communication with their own customers or clients.
This skill and experience that Eddie has from working with zero level beginners to educate them on the power of social media coupled with the fact that he such a genuine passion for ’social media for social change’ makes him the absolute ideal person for this amazing opportunity.
Finally, Eddie has traveled before and has mentioned to me in passing that travel blogging in troubled countries and working with people to help close the digital divide would be something that he would love to do in the future. When I saw this opportunity, I honestly couldn’t believe how close it resembled Eddie’s own vision for the future. His name started flashing in my head and a rush of excitement went down my spine because I knew that Eddie Harran was the man for the job and I knew how excited he would if he were to be chosen for this role.
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With this comment, I would like to pledge my support for Eddie Harran – He’s my mate and he ROCKS!
Gideon Shalwick
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I woke up in the middle of the night and Eddie Harran (@edwardharran) entered my Twitter stream. I asked him follow me and say hi, which he did, and in return I give h a rap as the next TOTO dude. That’s a sign he is really into social media!
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I would like to support Skye Smith in her bid to support the ActionAid effort. Skye is a wonderful person that would always puts 110% into anything that she is working on. Skye has a passion for Africa and I am sure she will do your organisation proud and the world informed through the wealth blogging features out there. I very much enjoy Skye’s blogs of her travels and adventures.
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I’d like to support Skye Smith’s nomination. She’s whip smart, tech savvy and an all round highly skilled person. She’s a great writer and has the required empathy to blog about these experiences without sounding twee or patronising. She’s not a social media specialist or working in the area. She’s just a person that uses these tools in her day to day life, and I imagine that the whole point of this exercise is to create a situation where these communities end up using these tools not just for consciousness raising but also as a way to just connect with their communities and others. Go Skye!
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I’d like to add to Eddie Harran’s nominations. Most of his accomplishments and virtues have already been extolled here, so I’ll just add my simple point: Eddie cares. He flat out cares.
What else do you need?
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I highly recommend Eddie Harran. He’s professional, engaged, intelligent, generous, thoughtful, passionate, an equal student and teacher. This would not only be a tremendous opportunity for Eddie; it would be a tremendous opportunity for ActionAid and the communities you serve.
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Pick me! A designer, writer, nerd, traveller, blogger, photographer, artist and web developer of many talents and the desire to use these powers for good. I teach corporate bloggers how to use social media and provide web support to a telco. Passion, expertise and a social conscience that demands to be unleashed to promote the needs of the many, not the profits of the few. Co-founder http://www.womenofjuarez.com
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As comments above already highlighted: It’s got to be Eddie Harran. He is an individual who stands out due to passion, his engaged and generous way – someone who does never seem to get too tired to walk the extra mile. Eddie’s commitment and devotion deserve to be reflected in this nomination: he is exceptional in motivating and inspiring others. And his genuine concern makes me think: he really does care. Yet, to me, he also remained a modest learner who knows that teaching and learning belong together, he will make the most of this opportunity.
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I too – will throw my vote behind Eddie Harran.
It’s all been said above but I’ll repeat some of it.
Eddie’s passion for social change via technology and social media is evident in consistent presence on twitter, through Digital for Good and Stories for Change.
He consistently self-funds his professional development and travels far and wide to pursue his interests and cause.
An exceptional candidate, who would bring an army of followers to his blogs and the Action Aid cause.
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For a person to be truly and solely motivated by humanitarian and nonprofit work is a rare thing indeed. For someone in the digital space to take the new technologies on offer and develop strategies for how these nonprofit organisations can leverage and develop from them is a noble, altruistic, entrepreneurial and exciting outcome.
In an age where only the richest and most popular companies can own the web, with the best design and digital strategy, to see someone using their skill and innovation in an area where the service offering far outweighs the amount the person can get paid for the work is inspiring and motivating.
Eddie Harran’s drive, compassion, commitment and talent to use ‘Digital for Good’ sets a benchmark. I take my hat off to him and thoroughly support his nomination for Action Aid’s outreach blogger.
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I would like to support Skye Smiths nomination for Outreach blogger. I have not blogged before to the frustration of my daughter… Skye.
Yes I am a bit biased I guess but I do feel very strongly that she would do a great job and would be a wonderful asset to ActionAid and the community she would dearly love to assist.
She is a very gifted writer, she has a wonderful social conscience and is always very keen to assist right the wrongs in this world. She puts 110% into the things that she is passionate about and has a marvellous ability to interact, engage and communicate with all levels in society.
She loves to travel and her blogs about her travels are not only entertaining but informative giving a very true picture of where she is or was at the time.
Social media is not her profession but she is passionate about it and uses it daily both professionally and personally. She realises the very big impact that social media can have and the importance of social media in the community.
Go Skye -
I’d like to add my support to Eddie Harran’s numerous nominations. Most of Eddie’s accomplishments and virtues have already been extolled above, so I’ll just add my simple point: Eddie cares. He flat out cares. And if that’s not enough, I don’t know what is.
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I would like to second the nomination of Edward Harran. His passion for utilizing social media in the “social cause” space is amazing. Some people are passionate for their football team, some are passionate about art – I can put my hand on my heart and say Eddie’s passion is for leveraging digital tools to increase the awareness of social causes across the world.
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I have known and appreciated Eddie Harran and his passion and work for over 5 years. He is an ideas man and is innovative in thought and action. He has a fantastic sense of social engagement and community and is fantastic at linking networks especially E network.
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Dear All,
Your words humble me. I am extremely grateful for the community that continues to support and help me out on, godknows, how many occassions. (ie NTEN fundraising Campaign) So, in light of all that, I would like to officially accept my nomination for ActionAid blogger outreach program. ( A big ‘damnyou’ goes to @lanipauli and @stevehopkins for igniting this whole conversation)
Since everyone pretty much explained ‘who i am’, I’ll save you the rhethorical non-sense. To be honest, its really not that important anyhow. It isn’t a popularity contest, as you said. This isn’t not about me. It is about awareness, impact and storytelling.
I’ll get straight to business. Here are my initial, ad-hoc, ideas/thoughts for the second action blogger outreach program on my posterous blog. Tis it all very rough, but just want to get the conversation started.
http://edwardharran.posterous.com/action-aid-blogging-outreach-blogger-nominati
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I’d like to add my support for Eddie Harran.
Obviously there are a lot of people out there who like me know Eddie from his high levels of online social interaction. Eddie has also been a help to us in running events to educate more people about how to use the internet for business. His combination of online expertise and his need to make a difference, make him a perfect candidate.
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if i’m not picked , I still have something to offer from way over here in New Zealand and we’re working away and been inspired by action aid and thus set up a site : http://www.auctionaid.co.nz as part of the biggest team on earth (perhaps the biggest Tweam , you think? since twitter is so damn HOT , I might just piggy back my way around the globe collecting for charity and ball in hand.
cheers , Marcel -
For what it’s worth, I too would like to add my support for Eddie Harran. Before I met Eddie, his reputation as a warm-hearted genius with infectious energy had already sparked my interest. In the time I have known him I’ve never ceased to be impressed by his motivation for changing the world and using whatever means at his disposal to do it. The means that he has are the digital weapons, and he wields them with unrivalled prowess. You will not regret sending Eddie Harran as the next outreach blogger. If anything, you will run the risk of taking the program into the next level of awareness, effectiveness and growth.
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Edward Harran. What a superb choice. I met Edward a few days ago on Twitter. He introduced himself; I explored his work and found only goodness. How fortunate to have his association; it will be good to get to know him as well as so many of you do.
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The Action Aid outreach blogger will be taking on a big job, a very important one – assisting people and communities to harness the power of social media to plan for their future – requires someone who knows what s/he is talking about, someone experienced, energetic, fit, articulate and passionate about the task. More than being a skilful communicator – also and naturally important – it’s people skills which are going to be vital to those who take on the challenge. With these qualities in mind, I’m lending my support to the many others here who, like me, think Eddie Harran is a young man who fits the bill admirably.
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I would like to nominate Eddie Harran for this position.
I think when we talk about activism and using social media to drive social change, its important for the person to be not only have the character, ability and personality but most importantly, the passion and the understanding of the Connected Age, All the do’s and don’t’s to implement a successful, effective and efficient social media strategy. For all these reasons and more, I think Eddie Harran is the right candidate for it. He’s got the passion and he knows the maze of the social media world – personality, I wouldn’t even worry about that.
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Voting for Edward Harran. He’s perfect for this! http://www.DigitalForGood.com/, c’mon!
To be honest, I don’t think I need to say anymore. I’ve read through the comments above left before me and I cannot agree more; they’ve said it all.
Edward Harran is perfect to be the next outreach blogger.
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An embarrassment of riches! What knowledgeable, gifted and passionate people you have to choose from. Steve Collins, Duncan Riley, Cameron Reilly, Laurel Papworth, Neerav Bhatt and Eddie Harran. Any one of them would do you and us proud and leave a lasting impression on the people they worked with.
So I certainly mean no disrespect or lack of regard to others when I add my particular endorsement for Eddie a.k.a.@edwardharran. What can I say that hasn’t been said? Not a lot: those of us who have met Eddie know he is a force of nature and truly gets social media and how it changes discourse and re-shapes the frameworks of opportunities for change.
I would however like to second Paul Goldson’s comments along the lines of Eddie’s understanding of how social media plays out, or can, in a business context. That to me seems really important for capacity building for the long haul.
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I’m a law graduate, business management graduate and I run the website http://www.bigbuttons.com.au – a site centered on a piece of software I developed to assist senior citizens with computing in general… and I’m writing here now to nominate Edward Harran to be the next Outreach Blogger.
I’ve known Eddie Harran for just over a year now (we met through some entrepreneurial activity when he was a digital strategist) and he seems to have an unusual gift – the ability to maximise creativity whilst retaining integrity. His ideas aren’t totally off the wall or unconscionably bizarre – they’re helpful, real and moving. Although I’ve known Eddie to talk for hours about blogging and “digital-for-good”, his capacity to implement real world change and connect with real people is undoubted.
I know that he will go far no matter what opportunities others offer him, but it would be amazing to see him given a real opportunity to shine as soon as possible, so his talents can be put to good use without delay!
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Do I really need to throw in my vote for Eddie too? No. I don’t. But I want to. Eddie is awesome. I met him while at the N-TEN conference in San Francisco this year. He was totally inspiring to meet. Inspired me to fundraise my way to the conference. Helped me win a Kickstarter goal (to fund my own upcoming travel/social change trip) as well as consistently share and encourages good stuff on the web. He’s a fellow with me (and some other cool social change folks) over at http://4change.memeshift.com, takes time to reflect on cool/important stuff – totally someone I’d want on my team (and I can be pretty selective).
Aside from inspiring me towards my own goals in life, Eddie is tweets *hilarious* hashtags – social change should be FUN.
If Eddie is nominated, I have no doubt that he will contribute greatly – ActionAid is something he was talking about doing long before he came across it. The cool thing (as can be seen in the comments) is that he’ll have an AWESOME network of fellow changemakers to collaborate and donate the energy/resources/spirit/mind to helping Eddie (and ActionAid!) achieve it’s goals.
So yeah. That’s it. Eddie rocks.
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I’d like to throw my support behind Eddie Harran. There is no substitute for passion and this engaged soul has it in spades. Goes without saying his knowledge of social media, his commitment to community engagement and overall drive will see this initiative become a benchmark for similar programs.
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I would like to support Eddie Haran for the ActionAid Australia’s Outreach Blogger. After attending an event where Eddie presented and having the opportunity to speak with him after, his passion for social media, social justice, and ideas amazes me!
He would be definitely be best suited to this role!
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While all of the nominees are certainly worthy, my vote goes to Eddie Harran. It’s rare to meet someone with as much energy and commitment to helping others as Eddie has. He’s truly dedicated to bringing about change, especially with the help of the Internet.
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No one could better suit the profile of the ideal Outreach Blogger for ActionAid than Edward Harran.
Eddie is not only capable of giving the fight against poverty a loud and unique voice, his infectious enthusiasm would be a wonderful asset to the project. He has a unique gift for inspiring and motivating others far beyond their own expectations. As a bonus he is modest, honest, and fun to be with. -
Look no further than Eddie Harran for the position of ActionAid Outreach Blogger. As the other comments here will rightfully attest, Eddie embodies passion and drive, and is truly a digital force to be reckoned with. In a sphere where voices often overlap and compete for attention, Eddie’s contributions stand out with their creativity and positivity.
While I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting him face-to-face, I have come to know and appreciate of his work via his blog; his twitter stream (@edwardharran) and through personal discussions. He’s a skilled communicator, and one who can be counted on for a soulful and thought-provoking dialogue.
Eddie’s heart and spirit shine through his online presence, and his relentless force to contribute to change in the world is evident with every local and global campaign he undertakes. Eddie brings expansive knowledge, a humbling grounding force, and warmth to his interactions – and would undoubtedly bring the same to ActionAid Australia.
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I support Eddie Harran as the next outreach blogger. Eddie is a conveyer of good things, and a considerable player in making and encouraging the future of social media. He is at the front of the crowd and I am very pleased to be a part of that crowd he is leading.
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I highly recommend Edward Harran as the energetic, thoughtful Australian blogger perfectly suited for ActionAid Australia ’s OutReach blogger position. His curiousity, openness and honesty is lovely to read and expressed with such grace, and a genuine and infectious sense of discovery and purpose. I think he’s a great “translator” to the masses and would be able to engage a wide and diverse audience sharing messages and human experiences in a meaningful, sensitive, moving and straightforward dialogue.
His writing speaks for itself – but I’ll say on his behalf I don’t think you could find a more dedicated and well suited candidate to help give poverty a voice.
http://www.DigitalForGood.com/
http://edwardharran.posterous.com/
http://www.twitter.com/edwardharranHeather LaGarde
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I’d like to throw my support behind Edward Harran for this position.
Eddie has a passion for changing the world through social media surpassed only by his drive to see things though. I’ve studied, worked and partied with Eddie since 2005, and on all these fronts, he is a tireless evangelist for the innovative power of the internet to make a difference.
He has used his passion, skills and insight into social media to raise funds for others, as well as his own projects. Whatever Eddie throws his brain and energy behind, he will make a huge difference, so I believe he would be a great choice for the ActionAid outreach blogger.
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I would like to endorse the nomination of Melissa Russell, with whom I worked in South Sudan.
Beyond the requisite technical skills and beliefs in social change, I observed that Melissa also has the important social ability to galvanise support and take people along with her.
She can live and work in any environment, and being a techy nerd with personality and character would be an excellent outreach blogger.
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Edward Harran for ActionAid Blogger:
All of the above character and professional references say nothing but positive comments about Eddie. His magnetic personality, enthusiastic outlook, passion and experience with social media projects would make him a valuable member of the “ActionAid” program.
I fully endorse his nomination knowing he will perform outstandingly in the position and will prove to be a great representative for “ActionAid.” -
Edward Harran is an inspiration to so many of us working to raise awareness, connect, & catalyze ourselves and our communities for social change. Eddie ‘gets’ social media – and his passion + compassion make him an ideal candidate for Action Aid’s next Outreach Blogger!
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I am a property manager, and so unfortunately I sometimes need to judge people on first impressions.
When I met Skye over 5 years ago I knew a number of things in that first impression: that;
she would be a good friend;
she cared about people and
she wanted to make a differnece to the world.My new husband is the same.
We all look for someone to make a difference in the world and; when we see these people we can only hope that they are only provided the opportunties to be able make that difference. Skye is one of those people, and; I hope she is provided the resources and opportunties to make a difference that we all ackowledge she can do and that we need.
Knowing Skye at the very first moment five years ago up until now, I want to highlight her dedication in righting wrongs, demonstrating injustices and her proven initiative in the smaller grassroots community through online community organising or also known otherwise as – the blogging and social media community.
For entertainment, check out Skyes travel blog: http://muppetsontour.wordpress.com – which is incredibly funny and true to form.
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If Melissa Russel wants to do the job, I know she is very well qualified and would do an excellent job. I do not know the other people who are also interested, but it is hard to imagine that there would be anyone doing it better than she does.
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Eddie Harren lives and breathes good will via technology. His life vision is to make a difference to those less fortunate than himself by using the the power and reach of internet to expose issues and give people a voice. His existing blog “digital for good” is Eddie’s first step towards making his vision a reality.
Eddie’s enthusiasm for what he does oozes from him and it is infectious. If Eddie is chosen as ActionAid’s outreach blogger I have no doubt that he will do great things!
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Edward Harran… It’s all above…. I have read all the comments and from having the privilege of growing up with Edward I believe its all true. Great passion… Great heart…Great voice…Great man…
This Role has Edward written all over it…
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I would LOVE to be an Action Aid outreach blogger. First off – I have a graduate certificate from the University of Sydney in Peace and Conflict and I am an AVID blogger!!! I’m currently working on a Master’s at Sydney Uni in Digital Communication and we study everyday how the digital world can aid and assist in SO many ways.
This project would blend both of my graduate degrees and give me a chance to use them doing what I love – blogging!! I’m not afraid of uncomfortable environments. I’m always ready for a new adventure and I speak with passion. I’m also optimistic, idealistic and I don’t give up when times get rough.
I already am on twitter – on facebook – wordpress etc …
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Can always spare two weeks to fight poverty. I’d be particularly interested in the Palestinian territories, where I have numerous existing contacts.
Why am I the best guy for the job?
* I have an established history as a social justice advocate
* I’ve been using the NET to promote social justice concerns since 2000
* I have 200+ sites, including my social networking site (www.fighting-fathers.com)
* I have over 10,000 Twitter followers plus a presence on Facebook, Myspace, etc.
* I also have 1000’s of subscribers to my ezine
* My sites get over 1,000,000 views/month (ie. I know what I’m doing online)
* I have developed a high profile online (try Googling ‘Father Dave’)
* I have a high media profile offline (see media clips on http://www.fatherdave.org)
* I can spare two weeks (just) Dave
dave@fatherdave.org
http://www.fatherdave.org=========================================================
Rev. David B. Smith, B.A. (Hons), B.Th., Dip.A.
Acting Rector, Holy Trinity Dulwich Hill
Professional boxer, 6th degree black belt, Pankration
Managing Director, Fighting Fathers Ministries Pty. Ltd.
Marrickville ‘Citizen of the Year’ 1994 & 2009
Nominated ‘Australian of the Year’ 2005 & 2009
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I’ve been following Daisy’s blog for a few months now, I’ve got to know her via Twitter and I think she would be fantastic given the opportunity.
She is passionate about any cause she devotes herself to, she is one of the kindest people I know and her warmth and friendliness shine through in her blog, making it easy to read, like a letter from an old friend.
With her blogging about her experiences, I have no doubt she could get people who had never given a thought to human rights to at least read what she’s saying and perhaps have a better understanding of what people less fortunate than themselves are dealing with on a daily basis.
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Eddie Harran would be an excellent advocate for ActionAid.
Eddie’s knowledge of social media is incredibly extensive. His impressive networking abilities and confidence are excellent tools which would add value to efforts to fight poverty using digital means.
Most importantly, Eddie is genuinely interested in the outcome – helping people. For this reason he would be an excellent choice as an ActionAid representative.
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Oh I’ve been so torn thinking about this … as I really want to also say Laurel, Julie, Neerav … they would be sensational without a doubt.
But I must say Eddie Harran. His energy, his genuine interest in helping without asking/expecting anything in return, his kindness and his passion for social media for good/change.
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I would love to nominate myself to be a part of this great cause.
My name’s Arif Hussain Khan, I’m twenty-one years old and currently in my final semester doing a Bachelor of Journalism at the University of Wollongong.
Having studied and done exceptionally well in two and a half years of journalism, I am in a strong position to fill this role from a skills and ability stand point. I have used social networking sites such as Myspace, Facebook and Twitter for years so I’m very familiar with the constantly developing technology. However, what really drives me to roles like this one you have on offer is my history. I am an Afghan refugee who was born close to the boarder of Afghanistan and Pakistan. My family suffered tremendously during the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and continue to suffer through harsh poverty and just complete helplessness. Throughout my entire life I have been surrounded by the concept of helping the underprivileged and to try and give voice to those who are only heard in prayer. This is why I got into journalism in the first place. From the first week of my degree where we were asked what kind of journalist we’d like to be, I was the only one to clarify that I wanted to be in the middle of the third world doing my best to represent those who need us. ‘Us’ in this instance is ActionAid Australia and I’ve had a burning desire from a very young age to be in a position where I can do something, please let me help.
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I would like to give my full support in choosing Arif Khan. I was in many of his classes in years 11 and 12 and any body who knows the guy understands his genuine passion for the people suffering in 3rd world countries. He’s a very creative and intellectual individual and I think if you had the chance to talk to him for an hour about this whole subject you’d know what I’m talking about. I’ve read his songs (many to do with human suffering), I’ve seen his Uni essays and mind you he chooses the topics of wars and it’s affects when ever he can and I’ve got to know the guy and we are very good friends. You can not let this one slip in my opinion
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I’d like to strongly support the nomination of Michael Quall. I started reading this page not knowing that Mik was already nominated but as I was reading the requirements, he sprang to mind as an outstanding prospect for this. Mik is deeply committed to enabling and empowering the less fortunate and has experienced so muc of this first hand through his life experience and work. Mik’s life is committed to helping those who are unable to help themselves. He is a fantastic role model for his people and is an exemplary human being, and an excellent blogger whose voice is heard widely and respected. Mik would be an excellent representative of actionaid and I sincerely hope he is given the chance to continue his work through this project. Good luck Mik.
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I would love to be an ActionAid Outreach Blogger. Why? For a number of reasons.
1. First and foremost, I am passionate about human rights and can only wish, hope and pray that, one day, we are all seen as equals in this world.
2. I am a passionate charity supporter and currently volunteer at the St. Vincent De Paul Society. I am a passionate donater to the RSPCA, St. Vincent De Paul Society and a number of other charities.
3. I am a blogger and have a heavy presence online [Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Blogger]. I also believe that through words we can help make this world a better place and always aim to help others with my writing. I have written many articles and blogs on issues such as child abuse, homelessness and animal neglect and abuse.
4. I have a Diploma in Communications and am currently finishing a Bachelor of Communications – I finish in a couple of weeks and I also work as an E-Communications Officer at the University of Western Sydney.
5. I am not afraid of a challenge and travel.
6. Mostly, I enjoy seeing people smile. It’s my main goal in life to see others happy, to make this world a better place and ensure those who are less fortunate have a better chance
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Just if I could add further information about myself.
I’m also a member of the Wollongong Council, leading the role of youth representative for the multicultural community. What I basically do is gather the concerns and opinions of the local multicultural youth on issues ranging from what books should be in the Wollongong library, to engaging the troublesome issues that have arisen in past Australia Day celebrations (racism, abuse of alcohol etc). I’m a member of the council because I want to give a voice to the minority in my city. What I bring to the table is a fresh and active mind and body, with the desire and passion in a subject matter that I truly care about. This is something I’d undoubtedly bring as an outreach blogger.
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I think that you pick Arif Hussain Khan. I’ve known him for years now and he has shown nothing but committment and desire to one day use his career and life to fight the injustices of the world either over seas or from here in Australia. His school subjects and performances all reflect his passion. Coming first in society and culture with essays and speeches always hitting the heart of the class. In a school where I found most people did not care about the world’s issues, Arif would always try and bring those issues to a centre of attention and believe it or not, he actually got the message accross to some who really would not care otherwise.
He has shown his leadership in sports and education. He is also probably the funniest guy you will meet and he even won the year 12 funniest person award at school. He’s an all around champ and I think you would not only be impressed but really want him to stay around.
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ARIF KHAN! I would fully recommend this young man. His life story and desire should be more than enough to do well in this role but he has a huge brain behind him. He’s one of the most creative, funny and passionate people I’ve ever met.
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Hello all. I’ve just come here to lend all the support I can to Arif Hussain Khan. Being an Afghan refugee myself, I have grown to appreciate Arif’s goals and commitments. Even within the Afghans here in Sydney and Wollongong, Arif is constantly trying to make life better for them and every Afghan has a story, every family has one. Let Arif tell the story of where ever you send him.
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As mentioned above, this isn’t a popularity contest about how many hits you have on your website or how many friends you have to support you. The action aid outreach blogger isnt just somthing you should win over with fancy comments rather it requires somebody who finds unjust issues as poverty close to heart and is passionate about. Somebody who really strongly believes in helping others. For that reason, i nominate ARIF KHAN who has all of the above, the skills, passion but most importantly characteristic that everyone is ignoring..he has a beautiful soul and a huge heart.
It doesnt matter how many degree’s you have or how highly rated you are..with a kind caring, heart like and so much passion like Mr. Khan has, you can’t go wrong. -
Eddie Harren lives and breathes social media with a conscious. Throughout my carrier in the digital domain I have not experianced a more suitable person for this position. Action Aid would be missing out on the best talent, passion and communication, if they where not to engage the heart, mind and soul of Eddie.
Peace
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I would like to nominate Arif Khan for this position.
From what has been written, it is clear that there is a large list of exceptional candidates for this position with different skills and perspectives. However, I wish to nominate a candidate whom has gone through life experiences and unfortunate tragedies that not many of us can say we have seen.
A dedicated and hard working student, studying Media/Journalism in University, whom has been through many rises and falls in his families trip from the war struck Afghanistan to Australia.
Arif Khan is a person whom always looks to make a mends and make his life count. He is a very wise and open minded individual, whom is currently heading towards his goals and ambitions with nothing little of excellence. He is always very well aware of current economical and political situations. He is a dedicated student, professional boxer, a nobel man, and most of all, he is always caring for the people and trying to help as much as he can.
I think Arif Khan is the most suitable nominee for this position.
Thank You -
I would love to nominate myself to become the next ActionAid blogger.
Why?
I am currently studying a Masters Degree in Communication for Development.
I have a background in Health (Nursing) as well as Social Media.
I am an experienced traveller who is capable of ‘witnessing’ without becoming overwhelmed by the situation.However, the real reason I think you should chose me is that I a wiz at facebook, twitter, blogging – as well as an amature photographer who could post awesome photos of my experiences. I have spent the last two years teaching friends and colleagues how to draw the most from their social media tools. I am a flexible person (and no I dont just mean I can do the splits) who’s passion lies in empowering others through commication allowing people to have a ‘voice’ in development.
Chose me and I could use this project to write my Thesis on!
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Father Dave Smith is the man for the job – he is absolutely an outstanding man – and he can walk and talk with people at all levels – he would be an ambassador and would really continue to make a difference
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I’d like to add my support to Father Dave’s nomination – he really is the best person for this task
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Arif Hussain Khan. This individual who I am proud to call a friend, should be your pick. Studying journalism myself, I have never ever ever met a human being whose dreams revolve so strongly around helping the unfortunate. From simple things like defending our indigenous Australians when people refer to them as ‘Abos’ or attending peace rallys, Arif has a heart destined for the role that is up for offer here.
He puts his hand up for all roles that have relation to the Middle East in particular but as well as that, never shys from doing stories at the local PCYC club and I remember a feature story he wrote about an Iraqi refugee and I also rememeber him receiving great results for it. Some students seek the easy stories but Arif goes through hours of interviews, working to secure interviews with those who are really hard to get a sit down with and he just persues the cause with such intensity and will.
Arif has my FULL support and he should strongly be considered here.
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This might appear a little outside the box, but I am a training partner of Arif’s. I’d just like to write here to let you guys know how 3 dimension this man is.
He has competed and done very successful in rugby league, pankration, AFL, football, cricket, touch football, running, shot putt, discus n the list goes on and on. He is a Wollongong, Sydney and World Cup champion in pankration and i’ll let you guys know why I believe he did so well…
Arif’s dream from what I know, used to be to become a world boxing champion and raise enough money to make a gym in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is of Afghan background and he would always talk about how he wanted to take in orphaned young kids and give them some thing that would mean the world to them. He also planned on making an orphanage to cradle these kids and not raise them as fighters in the ring, but fighters in life. Afghanistan as you might know is a very tough place and Arif is a prodogy of that environment. He has the blood and determination of an Afghan but has the opportunity and health of an Australian.
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I would like to nominate Cassandra Doyle for the position.
Why? I think her application says it all really, and trust me as one of her contacts I can vouch for her social media abilities!
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Hello to all. Reading through this forum, it’s clear that there are a number of strong candidates who are receiving significant support. I’ve known Arif for some years now and it’s obvious that he is a bright young man who has a life ahead of him that many may never live. From being up to date with the world’s current affairs to forwarding emails outlining the many inequalities in this world, Arif is constantly putting the realities in the faces of many of us who would otherwise be clueless.
There is only so much you can say here but Arif is very well positioned to take this role. He is tech savy, worldly, creative, passionate and very hungry. You can’t teach what he has instilled within him. You simply can’t.
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Kudos to all those involved with this initiative and a special nod to all the nominees. So of my favorite people online on this list and here as commenters. I would like to nominate everyone one, however I’ll limit myself to three.
Number 3 Laurel Papworth, awesome Aussie Blogger, great Tweep, committed to the space.
Number 2 Cameron Reilly for his depth of thought, his vision and because he grew up near where I grew up.
Number 1 is Ed Harran is hustle, his support in these comments is outstanding. He is supported by @wessa and @kanter whose judgement I sincerely trust and than confirms my judgement.
I am just so delighted to comment on this post and so pleased such a great initiative is happening.All the best Deano
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What is wanted for this job calls for Arif Hussain Khan. He is very confident, he is very keen on our world’s happenings and he is very qualified for it.
Arif has always shown a keen eye for fighting for peace and equality and he has journalism skills that would impress any one, well it impressed me atleast. He has always excelled in his education and has always and I mean always, had a passion in world politics and world affairs. Arif has this creative and unique insight into almost everything and he creates products that are very affective. I’ve never seen him showing signs of shyness and he never backs away from any powers that might intimidate perhaps those of less desire and intelligence. I think that Arif is very well aware that world peace is a dream far far away but his life has revolved around making a difference in the best way he can.
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ARIF KHAN.
I support this young man with absolutley no hesitation at all. He is a true hearted man who has been raised to recognise and feel what the disadvantaged feel, whatever culture or race they may be from.
Arif is very passionate about the world around him as well as the past and current issues that have arisen. He has enganged many people around him, including myself, on the affects these issues may have on people from around the world including Australia’s Aboriginals.
He strives in all aspects of his work for excellence and always works to the best of his abilities. Arif has written a number of news stories, feature pieces and has also
produced video journalism pieces which i found all to be very impressive.He has that all-round talent and package to suit this role with immense positivity and
I believe he will be the perfect next outreach blogger. -
I vote for Laurel Papworth – we’ve been trying to get her out of town for ages & she might as well go do something useful
Also she actually knows stuff & is a real human being.
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I imagine there are three key questions determining who is awarded this position:
1. who has the better story?
2. who has the better skills?
3. who can evidence their commitment?From a marketing perspective, the ‘better story’ angle usually winds up being the sole determinant. How much PR can we get from our nomination? Naturally this is being thought of in terms of furthering the cause (I’m not that jaded to think otherwise).
This is clearly a very short-sighted view, and one that needs to be sidelined in favour of the second two questions.
Ultimately, who is going to best serve this community through their appointment?
In this regard I unreservedly support Eddie Harran.
Eddie has an extensive track record of working with Social Media, and through this medium has provided substantial unpaid support to causes
- and seriously, who else here has a business called ‘digital for good’?
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Arif Khan. Just some dot point reasons:
- A very passionate person who wants to use his life to help those who are helpless
- Qualified for this position. Bachelor of Journalism in a degree that has been strongly supported by the 5 star University of Wollongong.
- Afghan background has given him an incredible insight into issues. He and his family and his family’s friends have all felt the crippling blow of decades of invasion and civil war. Arif has come out of this with such positivity.
- He’s the ripe age of 21. Young, energetic, fresh and willing to learn. He’s a face for the future and I really do mean this. A young Afghan-Australian with a great education, immense talent and a beautiful mind.
- He’s ready. Arif has had to mature in his thinking from a younger age than most. He has overcome many adversities in his life and is ready to take on life and all of it’s challanges.
- He’s tough. Not just from the many sporting achievments he has accomplished but he’s a very tough battler. I don’t think it’s neccessary to dip into details here, but those who are close to Arif know of his many triumphs in life. A very tough man indeed.
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I wholeheartedly endorse Melissa Russell’s nomination.
Melissa has the spirit of a medicine woman, having the wisdom and acuity to identify and address the greatest needs of the people she communicates with. Melissa brings clarity, innovation and manifestation to a process – effectively and with love.
I observe in Melissa a deep sense of compassion that draws her beyond social & racial borders to facilitate in people a sense of personal empowerment to repair the human spirit and reconnect with other beings.
I am privileged to observe Melissa’s expressions of this passion in the form of creative & dynamic web-based mediums to spread awareness and bring people together.
Practically Melissa has great familiarity with project work, and apparently can’t seem to get enough of Facebook. -
I would like to support the nomination of Cassandra Doyle. She’s the perfect person for the job.
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Cassandra Doyle gets my vote!! Without a doubt this gorgeous, intelligent, selfless woman is MORE than up to the task…
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Eddie Harran is one of the most socially minded people I know. He is constantly devoting his time to help other people who are less fortunate than himself. As I spend my days on Twitter Eddie is regularly contributing to other causes that he is involved with and I think that he would do a wonderful job blogging for the less fortunate.
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I support Eddie Harran’s nomination he has the expertise and passion to do a great job.
Cheers
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I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Margaret
This comment was originally posted on Community Organizer 2.0
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I’m in my second year of a Bachelor of Journalism at the University of Wollongong. I understand how the media can be used as a vehicle to endorse change for communities. I grew up in the Northern Territory where I had the privilege of living with indigenous Australians and people who had migrated from different cultures around the world. I have traveled extensively through Asia and experienced living in a Karen refugee camp (on the Burmese border). My background has fostered a love of different cultures and a desire to understand and report on issues that bring new insight to Australians. I am young, energetic and passionate. I am also sympathetic to humanitarian issues in poorer countries and believe strongly in providing impoverished communities with the tools to self- develop. I am traveling to Tanzania and Uganda in January 2010, where I would love to be the next ActionBlogger.
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30 minutes before I received my Daily TravelMole Newswire subscription I had been logged onto the Worldvision website signing up to sponsor a 6 year old child from Tanzania. His name is Mashaka. In his photo he is dressed in a red checkered Tshirt with a big pearly white smile on his face.. but you can see there is suffering in his eyes. At the moment all we know about him is that his favourite activity is playing with toy cars but let me tell you, it is an amazing feeling to know that I am helping make a difference to Mashaka’s life & his community.
So when my TravelMole Newswire popped up in my inbox half an hour later and I read the article “free travel with a twist” I was absolutely dumbfounded. For the past few weeks we have been researching ways we can get involved in the fight against poverty and then this lands right in front of my eyes, in my inbox!
My name is Bianca and I followed my passion of travel, culture and history by working as a travel consultant. My boyfriend Taylor is a primary school teacher. While both of us individually would jump at the opportunity to take on this challenge, I truly believe we could make a huge difference and bring so much attention to the issue of poverty by working together.
Taylor has an amazing ability to connect with people, especially children. He worked for 3 years in a small town in Western Australia with a population of 1200 people and dedicated his time to teaching indigenous children. He has travelled extensively throughout Asia, including Cambodia and seen first hand the effects of poverty and the innocent eyes behind the suffering.
I’ve travelled through poverty stricken countries in Asia and Eastern Europe and have had experiences that will stick with me forever. They’ve change me. They’ve made me see the world differently. They’ve made me appreciate what and who I have and they have tugged at me to do something about it. But what?
This is an amazing opportunity for someone to give voices to the people of poverty and to open the world’s eyes.We are both fit and in our 20’s, we are both adventure seekers and we are both passionate about life and people. I absolutely admire the efforts and creativity of the team who have urbanized the outreached blogger concept. We would love to share our skills to bring the concept to reality by engaging the world with our blogs. If you were engaged by this then I can guarantee we will be able to capture an even wider audience and the success will be worldwide poverty awareness.
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I would like to support the nomination of Cassandra Doyle. She’s the perfect person for the job.
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my vote goes to miss cassandra doyle… any twin who will let me race them is worthy of a vote in my book
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I would like to nominate myself for this project.
I have over a decade’s professional experience in the web design/development and social media industry, as designer, project manager, and now self-employed business owner (www.zavadesign.com). I have worked with both larger clients such as Telstra, Toyota and the Commonwealth Bank, as well as smaller organisations and non-profits.
After the 2005 tsunami I spent three months in Sri Lanka assisting the clean up, working with both local and international non-profits as well as the local community. My blog of the experience, “Lanka Relief”, can be seen here: http://www.nakedchronicles.com/lankarelief
From this experience I decided to dedicate a year of my life volunteering with a street children’s non-profit in Kenya, which became two years of my life after helping to start a youth sports program, Michezo Youth Initiative (www.michezoyouth.com), aiming to provide HIV and other health and social related information to the youth and children of slum areas via sports and arts. My blog of my time in Kenya, “Into Kenya” (a play on words, “Out of Africa”), can be seen here: http://www.nakedchronicles.com/intokenya
I believe I offer both the level of professional industry experience in web and social media, together with a high level of experience within the types of communities that this project is aimed at, that make me an ideal candidate for this role. My knowledge and experience ensures that I already have a number of ideas for online projects arising from my first hand experience of working within these communities, but also the knowledge that the best ideas will come from within the communities I’m working with, it’s only the technical knowledge and access they lack. With this great project we can overcome this and offer them a voice to the world outside their own community.
Cheers,
David RooneyMore from author
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I would like to vote for Cassandra Doyle….she is without a doubt the ideal candidate for the job..passionate and compassionate!
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I would like to nominate Alexandra Fisher. Having known Alex all my life I can attest her compassion for the people (and animals) around her. She is highly capable of being ActionAid’s outreach blogger having great literacy and communication skills and a passion for writing. Combining her care for other people (she has worked to support people with disabilities for example) and her amazing writing skills there is no one better suited to this role! She is a young fresh voice whose writing would be attractive to people of all ages and contribute to spreading the silent voice of those who are poverty stricken.
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I would like to support Cassandra Doyle’s nomination, she’s an ideal candidate for this job.
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I fully support Cassandra Doyle, she rocks!
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I am voting for Cassandra Doyle amazing photographer great heart and mind compassionate approach to life and her words and photos excude life!
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I support the nominations of Alex Fisher and Arif Khan. Both are capable, enthusiastic and motivated University of Wollongong journalism students.
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I totally support Father Dave’s nomination. He has a proven track record in the defence of those who are marginalised and has the drive and motivation to go beyond the bounds of mortal men.
Sincerely.
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Rev. David B. Smith (aka Father Dave),
I recommend Dave because he has given me so much help with the design of my own blogs.
he is an experienced community worker, used to working with a variety of people & does whatever he does, well
Br AndyMore from author
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My second comment is that Dave has always been proactive in his endeavours to improve the lot of all who are at the mercy of unfair discrimination and is a fighter beyond reproach in the advocacy of human rights. He would be a mighty adjunct to your cause.
John Champion. -
Rev. David Smith is your best contender. He is a man of great compassion and understanding, great communication skills and a whizz with blogs and other computer technoilogy, and he is passionate about the outreach blog project.
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I would like to support Father Dave’s nomination. For years through his various websites he has been supporting the downtrodden and the oppressed and those who need a fair go. This job is just an extension of what he has been doing.
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I believe Rev. David Smith (Father Dave) ticks all the boxes for this.
I’ve beeen receiving his ezine for several years now and know he has the passion and skills required.
Just have a look at his site at http://www.fatherdave.org to see where his heart is, what he has acheived and what he is involved in. -
I would like to nominate Father Dave Smith. He is an advocate for peace and is committed to ensuring that the truth is told. He has excellent IT skills and has be a recipiant of numerous community awards. He works well with a diversity of people and displays a particular committment to youth. He’s your man.
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Rev. David B. Smith (aka Father Dave) is certainly the perfect man for this job.
The extraordinary work that he does for the community as a whole and the true care that he has for all of humanity are just a couple amongst his numerous admirable attributes.
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I cast my vote in favour of Father Dave
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I would like to support the nomination of Rev. David B. Smith. Father Dave is definitely our man!
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I am casting my vote for Father Dave Smith of Dulwich Hill Australia. This gentleman is of quality character and knows his stuff. He doesn’t pretend to be an expert, he is the man people go to with their questions. Good luck Dave!
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I highly recommend Father Dave. I wish I had his energy as he is both prolific and proactive when it comes to using Web technologies as a communication tool. His faith and background as a boxer may prove to be ideal preparation for going the distance with this assignment and persevering.
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Basic human rights for all, is that even possible? The realist would say, probably not. Why so cynical? Well maybe because we are constantly bombardment with dreadful news from every ‘respectable’ media source in the world. We need an outlet for hope, an example that provides us with the confidence and courage to know that social justice is possible, and thank God we have that in Father Dave Smith, Anglican Minister, Dulwich Hill, Sydney, Australia. Dave is an extra-ordinary person that takes a punch and doesn’t get discouraged, that coaches others to have hope and never give up, that is willing to go out on a limb for the greater good. Dave is not one to sit idly by, without a thought for the persecuted. Quite the opposite, he jumps in feet first, stands in the fire, and does all that he can. I am proud to call Father Dave a friend and mentor and can think of no person more well suited for the position of Outreach Blogger, Action Aid Australia.
In addition to his passion for helping the persecuted, Dave is uniquely qualified for the position of Outreach Blogger due to his extensive resume concerning the use of social media tools. Dave has developed a widespread online following through his use of various blogs, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, his own personal website, and a social networking site (www.fighting-fathers.com) that he single-handedly developed.
What I find most impressive is that Dave has a distinctive way of capturing people’s hearts, opening their minds to injustice, and helping them to develop their own voice in the ‘Good Fight’. Dave’s your man.
Kind Regards,
Doug Pyeatt
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I would like to support Father Dave in his aspiration to be an Outreach Blogger. David Smith has demonstrated over many years that he is a passionate supporter of social justice in all its forms In all of his professional and personal activities Father Dave displays a compassion for his fellow man. He is technically competent and has a great sense of humour.
It has been my privilege to observe Father Dave’s work with the underprivileged and vulnerable of our community and the wider society across national boundaries. His unwavering support for the “under-dog” is awe inspiring.
David Smith has my unqualified support for this role which I consider to be a natural extension of his present activities. -
I strongly support Rev. David Smith’s application. He has a natural affinity with people of any background and is a hand’s on individual in approaching any problem, be they personal or practical. His deep knowledge of IT could not be put to better use.
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I don’t know any of the applicants other than Dave Smith and I think he would be prefect for this position. He has been an advocate for the poor not only with his various writings but also in his entire lifestyle. He’s also a computer whizz. He would do a great job.
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I support Father Dave’s candidacy. He is both an experienced and devoted community worker and a wiz with IT skills. He will be an outstanding ambassador for the cause.
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Father Dave is the obvious choice – he has been walking this talk for a long long while – an educator, a comrade, a fighter (for the things worth fighting for) and a fierce and ecumenical social advocate well before it became cool – Dave is your man!!
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I don’t have a particularly interesting life story. If I get any messages of support posted here, it will probably only be from my mum. And only then, because I begged her to do it. I don’t have a blog. I don’t Twitter. Or is it Tweet? I can, however, learn, communicate and advocate. And it is only through communication (be it in the form of a blog or, if need be, me screaming at the top of my lungs) that we can overcome one of the last taboos in development: the global sanitation crisis.
My name is Sharna Bremner and I wish to nominate myself to become an ActionAid Outreach Blogger. I am in my mid-twenties and halfway to earning a Bachelor of Development Studies. I will be heading to Thailand in early September and will be studying at a Thai university until December and then hope to gain some first-hand knowledge of the sanitation crisis, a root cause of poverty. There are an estimated 2.6 billion people worldwide who lack access to basic sanitation and as a result, a child dies every 20 seconds. I believe that a position as an Outreach Blogger would give me an opportunity to put my passion to good use and help to finally break one of the last taboos by bringing attention to such a crucial issue. After all, it’s only by openly discussing “sensitive” issues that they are no longer swept under the rug and work can begin on finding a solution. Sure, toilets and faeces aren’t “sexy” issues. Odds are, you won’t see a celebrity championing the cause any time soon. I am happy to take on that role. I would love nothing more than to be known as “that girl who blogs about toilets”!
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Father Dave Smith has had a long and significant involvement in justice for the middle east. He is a fantastic candidate for this project.
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Father Dave is such a man of rare passion and integrity that he would fit this project wonderfully and be capable of adding a dimension to what the “normal blogger ” would possess – it would be a ” no contest ” – a real heavyweiight of world standard
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I would like to nominate Sharna Bremner, I believe Sharna truly deserves such an opportunity to “change the world” if only in a small way, I have never before met someone so commited to enriching the lives of people that are not as fortunate as herself. I believe she would do a fantastic time blogging for the less fortunate.
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I believe that Sharna Bremner is an awesome candidate for an Outreach Blogger and here’s why:
- She will be living and travelling throughout Southeast Asia from September and will be looking for volunteer work. She will already be there, meaning the blog can be up and running ASAP!
- She was planning on blogging about her adventures anyway, Outreach Blogging would simply be received by a wider audience and give Sharna an amazing experience to blog about, instead of the usual backpacker adventures.
- Sharna has been involved in many, many campaigns at university including womens rights and students rights activities.
- She was also a UNICEF university liason officer, finishing the position only because she is going to study in Thailand and raised awareness of the plight of poverty stricken people on her campus and in the wider community.
- Sharna is incredibly passionate about development and helping to lift people out of poverty. She is intelligent, sensitive, compassionate and well-written. Her communication abilities are fantastic. In fact, its often hard to get her to stop communicating.
- She seems to be one of the few people willing to discuss the global sanitation crisis, even sitting on a toilet in the middle of her university to raise awareness of the situation.
- And last, (and probably most importantly) you will be saving her family, friends, Facebook acquaintances from her incessant reminders that we should consider ourselves lucky to have one toilet in our house, let alone two, that 3 ply toilet paper is a luxury, not a right and that diarrhoea kills thousands of people every year. Perfect strangers will also benefit should Sharna become an Outreach Blogger as she would no longer bail them up in public toilets and lecture them when they complain about the facilities.
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Fr Dave is the man for the job. His dedication, passion and interest can’t even be articulated in words. Fr Dave is brilliant with computers, fantastic with words and would contribute to whatever he had to whole heartedly!
Fr Dave embraces people from different cultures and different religions and the work he does in his community and the way he supports others by far exceeds expectation. Fr Dave is the man for job!! -
I want to support Eddie Harran’s nomination for ActionAid outreach blogger. Eddie has a passion for the relevant social technologies and for people. His openness to making himself vulnerable makes him uniquely capable of connecting on a deep level with a program country community.
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Father Dave (Rev Dave) is the man for the Job! His spirit and passion to help others is like no other i have personally come in contact with, he is more thna qualified to do a temendous Job in my opinion! My vote goes to Father Dave!
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I would like to give my support to the nomination of Edward Harran. Eddie is passionately committed to exploring the potential of digital technologies to support positive social outcomes. Both his background and warm and generous personality make him an ideal outreach blogger. I have no doubt that he brings all the qualities needed for such a project and will make and facilitate some amazing connections.
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I coudnt think of anyone better than Father Dave Smith. He has the knowledge and the ability to use that knowledge in all the required arears for this job. He has the IT knowhow, the facilities and the contacts to disseminate all information aquired and
required. He has the ability to genuinly listen understand and then teach. He also has a unique sense of compassion, empathy and acceptance of others no matter where they are, who they are or what they have done. -
Alexandra Fisher is a sincere, unique individual, she is driven, disciplined and passionate all these qualities make her the perfect candidate. She carries with her unique experiences from her upbringing in the Northern Territory, these experiences will aid her greatly if she is chosen as outreach blogger. Her youth, energy and vitality are all attributes that she brings to the way she utilizes and engages with new media forms. One cannot look past Alex’s unlimited compassion for the down trodden. I strongly endorse her nomination.
Anusha Witt
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I would like to support Sharna Bremner’s nomination. Sharna is one of the most sincere, passionate and capable people I have had the pleasure of meeting. I believe that she is the ideal candidate for the Outreach Blogger position as she has outstanding communication skills (both verbal and written. Ask anyone that has spoken to her in person, on Facebook, via email, on the phone etc!) She has an amazing ability to raise awareness of the plight of those less fortunate without being condescending or preaching. Sharna has not only the technical ability to perform this task, she also has the social skills, empathy and compassion required. As she will be in Southeast Asia from September 2009 until March 2010, she is the perfect choice to help the people of this region be heard!
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I would like to highly recommend Father Dave Smith for this role.
Dave has demonstrated a real passion, commitment and energy for social justice at a local and global level for those who are less fortunate and underprivileged. In conjunction with his extensive IT networking/online skills and experience, he is perfectly placed to fulfill this position for ActionAid Australia in highly competent manner. -
I believe Father Dave Smith is your man here. Why? I am a practicing Buddhist but still find messages of hope in his and his guests teachings. Father Dave has an unique insight into those less fortunate (like many), but does so on their level. A man who happy to mix it in the trenches and then rub shoulders with we look upto where he can help spread the message of compassion and hope.
Father Dave also has a great sense of humor and a wide network of friends to draw on from around the world.
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I fully support Father Dave for this cause. I read his blog/ezine and even though I’m not religious at all, I enjoy what he says. His knowledge, rational thinking and compassion all come through in his accomplished, genuine writing style…and he’s just a nice guy!
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As narcissistic as I fear it may sound, I would like to nominate myself for the outreach program. I’ve read the other comments and understand that I’m running against some very qualified people, but I think I have the skills and passion necessary to do this job.
Although I’m only 20 years old I have already spent a significant amount of time travelling, picking up bits and pieces of various languages as I go. I speak German fluently and studying it at university has given me the basic knowledge that allows me to pick up new languages quite well. My most recent travel experiences have included backpacking in New Zealand, as well as conservation work in Costa Rica, where I learnt some basic Spanish and stayed with two families, one in Heredia and one in a tiny town called Rincon. While both of these trips were made with friends, I also thoroughly enjoy travelling on my own as I love the opportunity to meet new people, especially locals, and can’t really see the point of travelling if you don’t get involved with the local culture.
I’m studying German and International Studies as part of an arts degree at Melbourne University, and I’m planning on getting into humanitarian law as a postgraduate degree, as I believe that representing people in landmark human rights trials is a way to fight the systemic causes of inequality in the world, which is why when I received the email about this program I saw not simply a chance to travel around, but the opportunity to start to make a differrence by raising awareness about human rights issues abroad, before I even finish my course. Needless to say, I think this is one of the most exciting opportunities I’ve been presented with since I started at uni.
My extra-curricular work has included writing for the magazine Farrago about a range of topics, involvement with various university clubs and organisations, and raising awareness for the human rights organisation Invisible Children(www.invisiblechildren.com/ ), which I think further qualifies me for this placement.
I guess the final thing, which I hope that you would have picked up on by now, is my passion to making a real difference to injustice at a structural level. Don’t get me wrong, I want this position badly – but accepted or not, this will be just one step on what I hope will be a lifetime journey of fighting injustice and inequality at a systemic level. I am a humanist, and I will continue fighting on in one form or another for changes that will improve impoverished and embattled people’s lives. It’s not going to happen overnight – hell, I’m probably not going to see an end to this struggle in my lifetime, but I can’t sit idly by and do nothing. You can help me start to make this difference. I’ve got my whole life ahead of me, I’m young, but I want to put what talents I have, and all my energy, into doing something now.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, I hope one or two of you have made it this far. In the end, what we all want is what’s best for the people we’re supposed to be helping, so in that spirit, good luck to all the other candidates and may the best be selected. -
I wish to nominate Father Dave Smith. He has a positive attitude in the face of difficult situations and can provide support and direction to people who require such.
He is a tireless worker and in my opinion, is suited to assisting others to learn.
His participation in this program will provide a positive and valuable contribution.George Plellis
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I would like to lend my wholehearted support to Meslissa Russell for the role of Action Aid’s outreach blogger.
On the most basic and fundamental level, Melissa would make a great teacher and blogger due to her sharp, witty and engaging style of communication. After all when writing a blogg is this not the single greatest requirement for an Outreach Blogger? A boring blog…who reads or recommends it?
The way Melissa communicates verbally translates exceptionally well into to written form. Without exception her comments on other bog style forums are at once thought provoking, sincere engaging and convey her personality and passion, with style.
Aside from communication, Melissa has an exceptional talent for engaging and enrolling others energy and efforts towards a single point of focus. If Melissa sets an outcome in her sights, you’d rest assured that its going to happen, no matter what it takes or how much care, understanding, personal change or obstacles she encounters Melissa can be counted on the persevere and come up with creative was to achieve her goal every time.
Melissa has already demonstrated in the most tangible way, her heartfelt commitment travelling and improving the lives of others, through her work in South Sudan and other poverty-stricken areas of the globe.
Having known Melissa for many years she is without doubt a person of the greatest integrity, her ability to connect on an intellectual and emotional level with others can be seen in the diversity of her community, friends and work colleges.
I know how passionate Melissa is to achieve this opportunity and maximise it for the greatest benefit of her fellow human in distress. She is more than worthy and capable of achieving spectacular results for those in greatest need.
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Hi!
My name is Bettina and I would love to be a part of this excellent outreach blogging project. I am so impressed by ActionAid’s creativity and ingenuity in thinking up such a unique project. It has great potential to reach so many people, both overseas and at home, because let’s face it, in the globalised world in which we live media and global communication systems are a massive part of our daily lives and the way we connect . Through my blogging of experience and insights I would be eager to advocate for change and make a difference for people who face real challenges through poverty, violence, war and injustice.
Currently, I am studying a Masters of Development Studies at Macquarie University, having completed an undergraduate degree in Social Science. This strong theoretical background combined with local and overseas experience in both voluntary and formal employment, as well as being an avid traveller, I think, gives me the skills and passion required to be a Toto blogger!
The world in which we live is filled with so much hardship and injustice and I have energy and commitment towards making long lasting changes to the global landscape. I would love the opportunity to passionately and whole heartedly strike a chord with people to step out of their comfort zone and make a difference in the lives of others. -
There’s no doubt that when someone takes the time to look at the world, invariably the conclusion that they will come to is that the world is in crisis. Look at the injustice that occurs on a daily basis in every corner of the planet, and it’s hard to disagree. But I also passionately believe in the power of the human spirit and the hope that humanity holds for a better day. This passion is not based on a naive belief, but rather on the everyday actions that so many take to make their part of the world just a little bit better.
I’m Lewis, and I’d love to put my name forward to be the next outreach blogger for ActionAid. I’m 20, primarily studing Government and International Relations at Sydney Uni, am a social media nut, and believe that I will see the day when extreme poverty is relegated to the pages of history books and academic writing.
I have been involved with a number of organisations that are doing amazing work in both developing communities and here in Australia to bring a voice to the often voiceless. I’m a self-confessed social media addict, with Twitter, Facebook, blogging and other, lesser known sites and services on the list of daily “to-do’s.” And through using social media services, I’ve seen the potential that social media has to transform, and truly believe that projects such as Toto enable those in developing nations to be heard – and this is what transforms lives. Projects like Toto put a human face to poverty, and this is the first step in creating lasting and effective change for those who really need it.
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I have known Father Dave for more than 20 years. He is the best man I have met in Marrickville working for youth and community and struggled humble people. I know about him and I know about Gaza. From my experience with him he contributed a lot to peace and harmony between different religions and different communities.
I strongly believe he is the best candidate for this mission. Father Dave is someone who can do the miracles when he has a chance. Please select him for this very important mission and he will do it successfully.
Mayor of Marrickville.
Clr Sam Iskandar -
I’d like to nominate Sharna Bremner as I believe she definitely has what it takes to be your ActionAid outreach blogger. Having known Sharna for years, I know how incredibly dedicated she is towards fighting the root causes of poverty. So much so she’s travelling to developing countries for educational purposes and hands-on experience.
Sharna is without a doubt one of the most energetic, dedicated, and influential people I know when it comes to understanding and developing an awareness in the community about poverty in other countries.
Goodluck Sharna!
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Turning the corner we pass a dusty little shack, and sheepishly poke our heads through the doorway. Inside, baseball-capped kids perch on bright pink plastic stools, and stare at a row of computer screens. Girls giggle as they play simulated fashion games, clicking and dragging super-cool outfits onto pretty avatars. Meanwhile, boys assemble tasty-looking cyber-sushi rolls in the online challenge Kenji Youda’s Sushi Chef.
Aside from the dusty shack, sounds like a bunch of kids from any rich country, right? Well, actually no: this is the rough-and-tumble slum district of northeastern Manila.
Kids are tech-savvy, worldwide. In a small Bolivian village nestled up in the Andes, teenagers upload digital pics onto their Facebook accounts. In a working-class suburb of Hanoi, an enterprising kid develops a groundbreaking application. In conflict zones and during social upheavels a single ‘tweet’ can cause revolutions and give a voice to the voiceless.
This is the future, and it’s bursting with potential.
With a cheap desktop and an internet connection, the most marginalised and impoverished communities can now plug-in and engage with the rest of the world. Want a guide to quantam mechanics? To hook up with activists worldwide and chat about active-citizenship campaigns in other countries? Wanna know the brand of toothpaste Britney Spears is currently using?
It’s all but a few clicks away.
What’s all this got to do with my nomination for TOTO? Well, I’ve had more than ten years experience working in education, international development, communication, blogging and the environment. I’ve lived in Asia, Africa and South America, and written a bunch a stories about my escapades.
Check out some of these stories and other articles at http://www.aclimateforchange.org/profiles/blogs/a-hard-rains-agonna-fall, http://www.aclimateforchange.org/profiles/blogs/new-oxfam-paper-the-real, http://www.openforum.com.au/content/school-hard-knocks-cambodias-street-kids. Or go to my personal blog at http://joelkatz1.blogspot.com/.
Now, more than ever before, we can really make a difference… so I nominate myself for the TOTO Challenge.
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I would like to support Lewis Best in his nomination for this position. I have worked with him at the Oaktree Foundation and I have seen personally his passionate dedication to poverty reduction. I also know that he has a very good understanding of social networking tools and that, as an excellent communicator, he would be able to describe what he sees and what he is told with passion and fervour that will also stir other young people to action.
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I am writing these words of great support for Sharna Bremner in her quest to become the next ActionAid outreach blogger! From the moment I met Sharna I was overwhelmed by her true honesty, sincerity, determination and zest for life. I haven’t known Sharna for very long but it is clear that we share a passion for the human rights of all, no matter what country they live in or what language they speak. I believe she would make the perfect candidate for this position. She is amazingly articulate, whether it be through face to face conversation or online chats on facebook, she sure knows how to get her opinion heard. If you want an amazing advocate with a talent for communication, who is opinionated but not pushy, passionate and ambitious then Sharna is your woman!
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I am in full support of Sharna Bremner taking on the roll of outreach bloggar.Sharna has a gift that very few of us have Her ability to view the world and its events will enlighten many in a caring compassionate way. I wish Sharna all the best on her new journey!!!!!!!
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I know Dave Rooney would do an excellent job as the next Outreach Blogger. He has the enthusiasm and the experience to complete this job. Dave has dedicated several years and much energy to supporting Michezo Youth Initiative and also working in Sri Lanka after the tsunami. During this time Dave would keep us updated through his blogs and website. This was both inspiring and awesome. The work Dave has done in the past is has allowed him to be in the best position to be the perfect Outreach Blogger. I would highly recommend Dave for the job.
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I would like to support Lewis Best. He is just so fantastic with the way he communication the messages of injustice and poverty. He’s heart is in the cause and young people like Lewis have so much potential to influence and change the world and he is certainly on his way to doing this!
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I support David Rooney’s nomination; he has extensive web/blog experience, professional knowledge and an ongoing interest in new media and how it can be used. He also has hands-on experience helping people in need.
He has put his own life and career on hold to respond to other people’s needs at a hands-on level and while doing so has immersed himself in the local culture and found these these experiences to be life changing, rewarding and motivating.
David is boundlessly enthusiastic about everything he does.
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Upon first meeting Sharna Bremner, within the first few minutes of conversation, 3 things about her became starkly clear.
1. That she was deeply committed to activism – as evidenced by her participation in a student welfare sleepout that just happened to coincide with, what some would call, torrential rain.
2. That she uncannily resembled Kate Walsh (Private Practice, Grey’s Anatomy, Under The Tuscan Sun)
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3. That she had a passion to tackle the global sanitation crisis.
It is because of her dedication, zeal and indignation at the current state of affairs that I’ve come to educate myself better on the subject.
According to UNICEF, 2.6 billion people remain without proper facilities.
Every 20 minutes, a child dies as a direct result of poor sanitation.These figures are inexcusable.
However, I find myself reassured and hopeful knowing that Sharna Bremner is on the case.
As someone whose attention has been thoroughly caught and focused – I can wholeheartedly put my full support behind Sharna Bremner as the next Outreach Blogger.
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I’m supporting Dave Rooney’s nomination to be the next ActionAid Australian outreach blogger.
I worked with Dave in Kenya and confirm his energy; his passion for those who are voiceless and vulnerable and his ability to turn his technical and communication skills into practical ways of supporting people.
During his time with Action for Children in Conflict (www.actionchildren.org) and Michezo Youth Initiative Dave created both websites as well as setting up Michezo and working with AfCiC’s street children. His blog shows his use of words and willingness to speak from the heart in a way that grabs people’s attention and helps them glimpse the world through other eyes.
He’s happy “roughing it” and would easily settle into and be productive in a remote area.
He enjoys working along side people especially young people and would be excellent at introducing them to working with social media.
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I have known Father David Smith since 2005 as an active blogger for freedom of speech and freedom of religion and also engaged in charity not only in Australia, but in other parts of the world. He has been of great help to me in my development of the largest citizen media network in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa.
He deserves our support to do more for the benefit of humanity.
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I first met Sharna Bremner in a 1st year university politics course. It was from there that I found out just howw motivated she was to make whatever difference she could in whatever field of need; be it UNICEF, Oxfam, The World Toilet Organisation, and many more.
I know that she will rise to meet the challenge, and deliver spectacular results.
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Sharna Bremner would be the perfect candidate as a Actionaid Outreach Blogger! Her friendly, compassionate nature and her uncanny ability to give everything she touches 110% effort would mean the job as outreach blogger would get done passionatley and wholeheartedly.
I meet Sharna a few years ago at uni and from our first meeting she has always been inspiring, helpful and motivated towards the causes of eliminating social injustices worldwide, especially the fight for better sanitation.
Sharna was the Unicef Liason Officer at the University of Adelaide last year, where she did an amazing job of reaching out to students that unfortunatley are usually too apathetic to care about the importance social justice barriers our international community must overcome. Her campaigns for better world sanitation and land-mine free countries were educational, fun and most importantly did what any activist tries to do, inform and create change.
Her mentoring position with Iraqi students at the Adelaide University demonstrates how friendly and approachable Sharna is, which is such a necessary personality trait that i believe is important to be an outreach blogger, to truly be able to reach out to other people.
Sharna has also had a big impact on the Student Represenative Council at Adelaide uni. As a dedicated student to helping the members of the SRC, Sharna has been hands on at campaigns of improving income support for students, including helping to provide free meals, getting letters signed, informing students and the community at the uni and constructing many tents in the rain for students to sleep in. Not to also forget the many hours of banner painting, informative showbag constructing and helping out at the Anti-violence against women campaign at Adelaide uni.
Sharna’s previous travel experience to developing countries demonstrates she’ll be able to handle anything that comes her way and the fact that she is going to study in a developing country just show her dedication to cause.
Sharna’s young, energetic, dedicated, passionate, trustworthy, friendly and another 1000 adjective words i can put here but most of all she’s a great person who would truly be a key person in eliminating social injustices by outreaching to communties if given the chance, so please give her the chance!
GO SHARNA!
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Hi I would like to support Sharna Bremner in her application to join your program. She is extremely passionate about Developing and helping third world countries. Hence her study at the Adelaide University. This would be such a good experience for her and I believe she would be an asset to the program. Her Can Do attitude is certainly refreshing!!
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I write this in support of Sharna Bremner. I have known Sharna my entire life, she is a wonderful person and an ideal ambassador for a project such as this. Her intelligence, empathy, wit, compassion and work ethic are unrivaled. Her life experience through her work at University and her subsequent travels, show that she has the motivation and dedication for such a task. Sharna is a role model in her community and is greatly respected by many of her peers. She strives to be everything that she can be and if there were more people like her dedicating themselves to projects such as this, the world would be a much better place.
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I hope this isn’t based on popularity voting, but I must give my thumbs up for Joel Katz!
Joel would be a top candidate for the TOTO challenge. He not only exudes an approachable charm but he’s one hell of a writer and can pass on a message with simplicity as well as creativity and humour. I think this is an important skill for reaching out and letting people understand the complexities of the developing world.
I’ve seen alot of his writing for Oxfam, World Bank and freelance pieces. They’re really entertaining and made me want to read more of his stuff! I’ve personally travelled with him in many countries that have inspired those travel stories and admire how he takes those experiences and puts them in compelling written form. I also know he’s done a lot of international development work in Africa and South America. He has a deep understanding and empathy about the issues that these regions are facing.
You would be insane to overlook Joel Katz and his many talents – blogging and otherwise.
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I’d like to give all the support I can to Bettina Tong for this program. She is an awesome and godly woman with such a heart for Christ that she overflows with love for others. Tina is particularly focused upon the plight of those in unfortunate circumstances that lead to instances of human rights abuse and exploitation. I firmly believe that Tina would do as excellent a job as anyone could be expected to do as the next ActionAid blogger.
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I’m writing to support Bettina Tong! In her decision to apply to join your program. She would be an amazing person who would be perfect for the job, she is passionate, loving, enthusiastic and many many other things, – i’m sure like all the other nominiees, but i honestly think with her heart and dedication she would be greatly benefit this cause.
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I am pleased to see it stated that this is not a popularity contest. Clearly, there are some popular and obviously extremely qualified nominees! A simple internet search of some of the nominees names results in lengthy lists of qualifications and accomplishments. Searching some of the others however reveals very little, if anything at all. I believe that the position of Outreach Blogger provides those people, the one’s with little experience, international or otherwise, with an amazing opportunity. This is just one of the reasons I support the nomination of Sharna Bremner.
In the past six months alone, Sharna has demonstrated her deep committment to advocating on behalf of those less fortunate and working towards a better world for everyone. Her awareness-raising events as a Unicef University Liaison Officer covered topics from World Health Day, to landmines to the global sanitation crisis. Sharna has provided her support and assistance to her universities Student Rep Council in their endeavours for improved student welfare and anti-violence campaigns. These activities have demonstrated her compassion, drive and awareness of social injustices and her desire to put in 110% with any task she undertakes.
Sharna’s role as a mentor in the Iraq Student Mentor Programme at her university saw her partnered with an Iraqi student for a period of 12 weeks as he settled into life in Australia. Through this position, Sharna demonstrated her patience, teaching, listening and communication abilities as well as her willingness to learn about other cultures.
I believe that Sharna possesses all the necessary skills and attributes to undertake this position and to do it well. As a Development Studies student, she is well equipped to demonstrate and communicate the fight against the root causes of poverty. I also believe that giving someone such as Sharna and opportunity like this will continue to benefit the cause long into the future. Many of the other candidates have already gained experience in the field, something that is often required by many employers in the development arena. This experience is hard to come by and would be invaluable to Sharna. It would help her to gain future employment, pursue her passion (which, oddly enough for a 25 year old female, is sanitation) and work towards a better world for a long time to come.
Please, please, please! Help give Sharna Bremner, and indeed the world, this amazing opportunity!
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I’d like to give my full support for Bettina Tong, as I believe she would do an absolutely amazing job being an ActionAid blogger. Tina is so passionate about people and life, her heart for God is incredible and her sensitivity and compassion for those around her is astounding. Tina has such energy and enthusiasm for all she does, and I honestly could not think of a better person for this role!
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I am writing to support Joel Katz. Joel is a well read, well travelled, reveller in life and essentially is a people person. He brings his sense of humour into all facets of his life and easily and quickly communicates with people on their level. His self depreciating humour, intelligence, wit, and compassion make him a wonderful teacher to students of all ages. He is also tech savvy, and a wealth of information on popular culture and the media. I see him as a perfect fit for the position, notwithstanding the fact that his greatest talent is probably expressing himself through the written word.
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I’d like to support Joel Katz’s nomination. He is a fantastic writer and a concerned caring person. His understanding and sensitivity to the way policies and politics affect the disadvantaged people in society make him an ideal candidate for the job.
Joel loves blogging and he’s very good at it!! His great sense of humour is reflected in his writing. I can’t think of anyone who could do this job as well as Joel.
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I would love to give my full support to Sharna Bremner. I believe that she is the perfect candidate for this program. I first met Sharna a few years ago on my very first day at uni and ever since then it was very clear that she has a strong passion to help others, make people aware of the happenings in the world and to become apart of the solution, whether it is through her work with UNICEF or Oxfam, or reaching out to those through mentoring programs. Sharna is one of the most genuine people i know, always there to lend a hand and give things ago, she is making her the perfect person for this program in my opinion.
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I’d like to support Bettina Tong. Her care and concern for all humans to have opportuniy and access to the things we take for granted runs very deep. Her love for God means she loves others as herself and deeply cares for the poor, needy and those in poverty. She’ll be amazing.
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Lewis Best has my nomination. He works tirelessly for the causes of advocacy and justice, at the expense of himself and his health. He writes emotively, he knows what he’s talking about, but most significantly, it isn’t just intellectual – although it is rational and well thought-out: he speaks from a deep passion that comes from following a God who is passionate about justice. Can’t recommend him highly enough.
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I would like to support Sharna Bremner for the next outreach blogger! Sharna is a fellow student of politics and development studies and has been an active member in many volunteer programs from UNICEF to mentoring. Not only does she show enthusiasm in each project she undertakes, but Sharna is also able to recruit support from her peers and creates excitement about the particular campaign within the community. I honestly believe Sharna is the best person for this project and I wish her all the best in her future adventures.
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I fully support Bettina Tong! She is so passionate about people and causes she cares about, and is always up to try something new, she gets on so well with everyone and anyone, because she is genuinely interested in who they are and what they are doing. she is such a happy and funny person, and i think she’d suit this challenge and be someone who could really make a difference through ActionAid. Go Bettina!! i think you’d be great for it.
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I nominate Sharna Bremner. She is a lovely compassionate person who would be a great asset to your organisation. She has a great social conscience & is very passionate about causes she supports & works extremely hard to help these causes. I think she would make a fabulous outreach blogger for you.
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All my support for JOEL KATZ!
He is not only an amazing person, but an extraordinarily insightful writer/speaker/teacher and I think he would be a great advocate for the TOTO challenge. If you want your message spread across the globe whether it being within a developing or developed country then JOEL is the man to do it!
He has an energy that rubs off on you and his optimisim on the solutions for the perils of the developing world is admirable. He’s a fabulous teacher and I honestly believe he could educate anyone on anything!
Give a voice to the voiceless! Let JOEL be their advocate!
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I support Father Dave for the Blogger Outreach Challenge. He is wholly and passionately suportive of the underprivileged and is already reaching thosands across the internet with his blogging. He is not only interested in local things- running the Fight Club for marginalised youth in the Dulwich Hill area- featured in the SBS program Äbout Men: Coming of Age”‘ airing tonight, as well as supporting through blogging and phone cnferences of narginalised people around different countries in the world. He is one of the most compassionate men I know, extremely articulate and genuine. He’s your man!!!!!!
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As a fellow writer, I would like to extend my support to Joel Katz. Having read selected pieces of his travel writing and blogging, I think Joel would bring a level of both maturity and humour to the experience, making a worthwhile read.
His understanding and passion for other cultures, and his ability to connect to people, would make for a candidate who would be comfortable no matter where you sent him. -
My vote is for Bettina Tong. I have come to know Bettina well over the last year or so and i could not think of a more compassionate, caring and genuine person. Bettina has decidated herself to the wellbeing of all the people in her life and I think that she has and will continue to make a positive impact in so many peoples lives. She is so enthusiastic and I know that ActionAid would benefit greatly from Bettina helping fight poverty in any capacity.
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I am here in support of Sharna Bremner. She is one of the most compassionate and genuine people I know. Sharna wants to change the world for the better and I think she has the drive and committment to achieve this.
Good Luck in Thailand Shaz, I hope we can catch up soon! -
Joel Katz has shown his interest in international development by living, working and travelling all over Asia, South America and Africa and is presently offering some of his time on a project with OXFAM, as well as working with the international arm of the University of New South Wales ‘UNSW Global’ (Sydney, Australia).
His writing experience and enthusiasm as a ‘blogger’ on international development issues, including ‘climate change’ would make him an excellent candidate.
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I would like to support the nomination of Father Dave Smith for the position of Outreach Blogger. He is someone who will never give up on anyone, has limitless patience and has the necessary skills for the job. He has tirelessly campaigned both online and in the real world for the underpriveleged, and genuinely cares for his fellow human beings. I believe his humility and tenacity makes him the ideal candidate for the position. Please choose Father Dave Smith for the position.
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I am writing to support Tina [Bettina Tong] for the action aid TOTO project.
I met Tina on a team looking after early primary aged children and was impressed by her commitment, love and patience to each individual child she looked after.
I think Tina would make an exceptional outreach blogger as her passion for people, especially those in need is who she is.As she is about to complete her masters in development, I think she is perfectly positioned to apply her studies and focus to a particular project or region and would meet the project with an enthusiasm, emotional openness and innovative perspective special to those new to the field.
As a blogger, she has a large network of supporters and a thoughtful, relaxed Australian style to her writing. I would be really excited to read up on her adventures and have no doubt the passion and accessibility of her writing would make this true for thousands of Australians.
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Such a wonderful opportunity has brought out some impressive resumes, outlining extensive writing, travel and humanitarian experience.
But may I suggest another, less experienced, candidate to go into the mix. Someone who looks upon their journey with a fresh eye, bringing with them the excitement, curiosity, and trepidation of the novice. Someone who looks at their surroundings in wonder. Someone who is simply excited by other people’s stories, who wants to listen, and encourages them to tell it.
Whether you’re a student, professional or a retired grandmother with these attributes, put your name on the list. Yours is a story I’d love to read and the people you stumble across I’d love to know.
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Bettina Tong would be wonderful for this project, she has such a passionate servant’s heart, especially for those in poverty who are ignored by most of the world.
She would do an amazing job, and already shows so such dedication to this cause…
VOTE #1 BETTINA TONG -
Bettina Tong would be a fantastic choice as ActionAid’s next outreach blogger! She is passionate about pursuing justice and poverty reduction. She engages with people around her in personal and practical ways and will no doubt deliver engaging blogs filled with insights into human rights issues.
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I wish to nominate myself for this position, as I believe that I would be a great applicant who would work whole-heartedly to use the program to its greatest advantage. I am currently completing honors in screen production at Flinders University. My major project is about a Sudanese refugee who is trying to overcome his past and deal with racism in his new life in Adelaide. My dream for next year is to go to Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. I hope to use my media skills enable some kind of change. I spent last year volunteering in disadvantaged schools in Guatemala. With the children’s help I filmed much footage that I hope to put into a documentary about the importance of education in overcoming poverty. I also raised money for one of the schools by teaching the children to take their own photos and selling them as greeting cards in Australia. I believe in the power of knowledge and media in the combat of poverty. Helping someone to speak to the world is the most for filling thing I have ever done. I believe I could use this position to not only teach bloging through words but also photos and moving images. I cannot over emphasis my enthusiasm for this project.
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I support Father Dave who will touch many lives and has the skills and unique teaching ability to be the next outreach blogger. I can think of no one more equiped than Father Dave to help give poverty a voice
Kat Shields -
I would like to nominate myself to be the next ActionAid outreach blogger.
I am passionately committed to helping others. I have had previous experience working at Pilgrim’s House, an orphanage in Moshi, Tanzania. Many of the children there had lost their parents to HIV/AIDS and, much like victims of poverty, their circumstances were through no fault of their own. Our efforts were rewarded with immense gratitude – many there thought it was incredible that wealthy and fortunate Westerners even spared these children a thought. I would like to bring hope to more poverty-stricken communities and let them know that there are people who do care about their situation and are committed to changing it for the better.
I found the experience of working in Moshi rewarding and incredibly humbling. The opportunity offered by ActionAid would be still more valuable as it enables me not purely to assist through my own efforts, but to raise awareness of the situation to others and how they can help. Too frequently, the wealthy and the privileged delude themselves that they are not in a position to assist those less fortunate. I want to show them that this is not the case.
I am currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, which gives me ample opportunity to develop my writing skills. Furthermore, I currently hold the position of Editor at Melbourne University Overseas Students Society (MUOSS) which has given me experience of both writing and editing articles on current international affairs. I would dearly love to be given the opportunity where my words could inspire others to instigate positive change for those who need it most.
Thank you for reading my application.
Emily French -
I would like to endorse Emily’s French’s nomination for ActionAid blogger. Ever since I have known her, Emily has been passionate about helping other people, willing to listen and to help practically. She spent her gap year in a turtle sanctuary in Costa Rica and participating in World Challenge, a self-funded charitable project in Tanzania, just two instances which demonstrate her immense suitability for this post. Emily throws herself into everything she does, and have a massive amount of wisdom and life experience, whilst still be willing to learn and adapt, whether it be language, culture or practical skills. I have also had the privilege of reading various of Emily’s writings, which are always interesting, of good quality and enthuse the reader about any topic. Therefore, I would thoroughly recommend her for an outreach blogger – Good luck Em!
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I would like to say that Emily French would be an outstanding Outreach blogger. She’s a brilliant writer and I have read her previous travel blogs with glee. Not only this, but she also cares more than most about issues such as poverty affecting those in poorer countries. I wouldn’t bother to post on this wall unless I believed full-heartedly that Emily French is the best person for this role. It is impossible that you’d regret it. She has the passion, the experience and the skill to truly help Action Aid. VOTE EMILY!
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