Changing the world is not hard - just be yourself, be passionate, and if
you can, learn a few handy skills - like how to write a media release or
build a tripod or run a meeting. These skills are best learnt by doing! See
the events and groups page (links) to find friendly people to join you in
your quest for change. Changing the world is much more fun done
cooperatively - especially over caffine and cake or a cold beer.
Enviroweb Activism Training Materials and Resources (looks good)
Find out what's happening! (similar sites to active-sydney)
In Australia:
Overseas:
Protest.Net is a site to help progressive
activists by providing a central place where the times and locations of
protests and meetings worldwide can be posted.
Run an event:
- The why? being strategic and planning
- Public meetings
- Demonstrations/Rallies/Stunts
- Non-Violent Direct Action
- Blockading
- Gigs
- Talks/Lectures
- Conferences
- Film Screenings
Get media attention:
- An activists guide to the media
This is a fantastic guide to manipulating the media - as it says,
manipulate the media or it will manipuate you! And don't be afraid of the
media - it is surprising easy to be published or put on air.
- Create your own Media
- How
to write a killer press release - how an American sells
himself by writing good press releases - hypey but useful
- Video/TV
- and link to cat tv
- Photography
- Writing Articles
- Internet - link to cat
Check out media on-line
- Nick Possums Newsagency
A fantastic Media Links Page links to everything from Australian
Geographic to Le Monde to The Byron Shire Echo. Part of the
wider Werrong
Lane website, which is a lively commentary on Sydney
politics.
- Direct Action Media Network (DAMN!)
a multi-media news service that covers direct actions of progressive organizations and individuals worldwide.
- A-Infos is a
multilingual anarchist news service, with several stories a day
contributed from all over the planet.
- ProActivist.com is dedicated to
photographically documenting progressive protests and demonstrations and
assisting activists with their efforts. We have a calendar of upcoming
events (please e-mail us your
action alerts at: calendar@proactivist.com), an extensive index of
links, a bulletin board for you to express your thoughts and ideas,
RealAudio recordings from protests, and opinions on how to run
an effective event.
- Washington Free
Press - stories on Activitsm
- Schnews is an excellent
weekly news-sheet with activist stories from the UK and around the world.
Write a letter
Letters are a very powerful tool in lobbying for change. Letters to
newspapers are a great way to publicise a cause, and will influence editors
when deciding of what articles should be covered in their newspaper.
- Letters to the editor
To break the mental block check out some hints from a campaigning veteran,
or a sample letter, and then find some media addresses to send it to.
Letters to politicians and government departments:
One personal letter to a politician is said to represent the opinion of 100
voters. The same holds with writing to councils, government departments and
anyone else you can think of. What is more, politicians are obliged to
reply to every letter they receive, so it is a great way to make yourself
feel popular.
Contact details of politicians and government agancies are below.
You could set up a internet form letter to send to politicians like this
one.
Participate in the Political Process:
Life is political - don't be afraid to participate!
Contacting Politicians
A Politician's goal in life is to stay in office, so they make decisions
based on their perception of public opinion. This perception is based on
what they see on the news, what they hear from advisers, letters they
receive, opinion polls and so on. So there are a number of ways to
influence politicians. A letter is a great way to start. For tips, check
out our letter writing page.
If you prefer a personal approach, you can always phone your local
pollie (at local, state or Federal level) and ask to make an appointment
to speak to them - you might be surprised at their willingness to speak
with you - especially in an election year!
Other inspirational and useful sites:
@nti copyright - information for action - copy and distribute!