Project TOTO shortlist

After weeks of deliberations and heated debate, ActionAid has finally chosen a shortlist for our next outreach blogger.

Choosing the shortlist was never going to be easy, but we didn’t realise just how difficult it would be.

All up, we had 52 fantastic candidates nominated by over 350 people. The comments in favour of our nominees ran over 120 pages long. Removing people from the shortlist, as opposed to adding them, was the biggest challenge.

Candidates were judged based on the following criteria:

-Writing skills: Since our blogger will be required to not only teach others about social media, but also to blog themselves, strong writing skills were a major consideration.

-Passion for the cause: The role of an outreach blogger is not easy. Early morning starts, tight schedules, high pressure and no wages is something only someone who really is dedicated to the cause will cope with well.

-Social media skills: In the end, Project TOTO is about using social media to give people a voice. Our ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of not just the technical elements of social media, but also the human element that connects people through the medium.

- Social network: Talking about poverty is pointless if nobody is listening. We need someone that knows how to spread messages online. The larger the network, the greater the impact.

-Cultural sensitivity: Teaching others requires mutual understanding and trust. Cultural sensitivity will be vital to ensure the project runs smoothly and that the knowledge transfer is effective.

Most candidates performed well on at least three out of the five criteria. But with so many excellent candidates in the mix we had to be ruthless with our judging.

As a result, many candidates who were a perfect match on some criteria, were cut from the list because of weaknesses in other areas. Did we mention this process was painful!

Our 12 finalists (below) showed promise in all areas and over the next few weeks ActionAid will be putting each to the test to find our next outreach blogger. More on that soon…

The Shortlist:

- Renee Barnes

- Sharna Bremner

- Emily French

- Edward Harran

- Joel Katz

- Antony Loewenstein

- Laurel Papworth

- Michael Quall

- Harriet Riley

- David Rooney

- Melissa Russell

- David Smith (Father Dave)

For those who missed out this time, ActionAid would like to thank you for your support and for putting yourself forward.

We are stunned by the quality of entries and humbled by the level of support for Project TOTO. We hope you continue to work with us to create a world without poverty and injustice in which every person has the right to a life with dignity.