NGOs take advantage of new social networking and social media tools to disseminate information, tweet elected officials, and track progress during the conference.
Founded under a mission to “give everyone hope and a platform to act,” Hopenhagen, an interactive website that unites global participants around the Copenhagen conference, allows their collective voice to speak loudly and clearly.
Al Gore used the platform of the Copenhagen conference to introduce a new grassroots movement entitled ‘Repower America’ that will focus on garnering public support for Congressional approval of clean energy and climate legislation by Earth Day of 2010. The main focus of the campaign is an interactive wall where participants, celebrities, etc can post videos and photos representing their thoughts and feelings on climate legislation.
Meet Oikocredit: one of the most progressive, transparent, community-driven and mission-driven microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the world, and a global leader in the microfinance movement. Microfinance is making small loans of less than $200 to the working poor in developing countries, where these loans are used to establish or expand small businesses that generate additional income for families. While the microfinance industry has exploded in the last 10 years, Oikocredit has maintained its commitment to the original values that inspired the creation of the organization in 1975 – transparency, authenticity, community engagement and ultimately the mission to end global poverty.
As a pioneer in the field of microfinance, Oikocredit has demonstrated the importance of extending financial services to poor communities by working with non-traditional micro-lending organizations such as non-govermental organizations (NGOs), and credit and savings cooperatives. These are more risky than traditional MFIs, but they often provide a vital connection serving the poorest of the poor. Even at the leadership levels, a commitment to community empowerment is reflected in Oikocredit’s Board of Directors, as many board members harken from the Global South. Other microfinance institutions (MFIs) have begun sacrificing social contributions to focus on maximizing profits; these organizations justify their high-interest loans to the poor using the rationale that their rates still undercut those charged by loan sharks. Read Business Week’s coverage of the “ugly side of microlending” here.
In the midst of the MFI explosion in the past decade, Oikocredit and other “good guys” in the industry are realizing the necessity for community engagement and transparency. Industry transparency will help Oikocredit’s 32,000 investors understand the value of investing in low-income entrepreneurs. Specifically, Oikocredit is committed to social performance metrics, not simply the financial bottom line. Their use of the Progress out of Poverty Index (PPI) allows the organization to measure poverty in communities and respond directly to entrepreneurs’ needs, helping them to move quickly into stronger financial footing.
Over this past year, Re-Vision Labs has developed a unique partnership with Oikocredit. Oikocredit’s commitment to its core values spoke to Re-Vision Labs. Recognizing Oikocredit’s unwavering commitment to transparent social and financial sustainability, RVL is pleased to align efforts in order to tell Oikocredit’s story to a broader audience, empower microfinance investors to be change-makers, and strengthen the industry through the development of standards. Together, RVL and Oikocredit are designing a grassroots movement to support world-changing ideas.
Click here to see the online products we’ve created together, and to learn more about Oikocredit in the US.
As social networking in developing countries continues to grow exponentially, Mark Davies of Esoko pontificates on the removal of trade barriers through this technology explosion.
A World Bank blog post considering the potential for development strategists to take advantage of existing mobile networks and telecommunications platforms.
“[Telecommunications] has changed the lives of people by empowering them with, often, their first communications link to their governments and the world outside their communities.”
Kiva’s Director of Marketing, Chelsa Bocci, walks us through the social media strategy behind a hugely successful non-profit with a zero-dollar budget.
InterNews Network, the World Bank, and the Gates Foundation have partnered in a collaborative study to better understand successful media mechanisms in the field of global development.
Dave Ferguson, head of Global Development Commons for USAID, speaks out about the importance of collaborative partnerships and community surrounding information and communication technology.
Saul Garlick, the founder of ThinkImpact, a non-profit organization that aims to alleviate poverty by harnessing the entrepreneurial power of young people and students, writes about Generation Y and global development.
An article from World Water and Environmental Engineering extolling the virtues of Halosource’s water purification technology and global partnerships. Check them out!
Surrounding oneself with inspiring people sure is, well, inspiring! I am blessed with some stellar social networks I can call my own, filled with friends and family that continue to light my fire every day of the week. Driven by different passions, be it skiing, microfinance, or global access to education, my web of wonderfuls are creating communities and inciting change on a global scale. My challenge then becomes, not necessarily how to create my own passion-derived community, but rather, how can I use my skills as ‘networker extraordinaire’ to connect these pieces in an effective and meaningful way.
Martina’s marathon for microfinance.
My friend Martina Welke has put her dual passions for running and microfinance into action, training for the Seattle Marathon and simultaneously raising money for the local, Seattle microfinance operation Vittana. She pitched her idea to the the founders of Vittana, started a blog about her journey: http://martimarathon.wordpress.com/, and as a result is raising awareness in her community about the positive things that microfinance is doing globally.
Willy’s web 2.0 network for education.
Another great friend, Willy Oppenheim, co-founded the non-profit Omprakash Foundation in high school and with the help of a few dedicated individuals has since created an expansive, FREE volunteer database that connects volunteers with educational-based opportunities abroad. Their partner organizations are located all around the world, free-of-charge, and focus on issues such as access to education and global health. Their mission differs from most volunteer-based programs, in that the emphasis is on community engagement, awareness, and knowledge, rather than a strict focus on fundraising and donations.
Claire’s skiers for empowerment.
Claire Smallwood, a friend from my days on the slopes of Alta, Utah, co-founded SheJumps , a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase female interest in the outdoors and motivate skiers and outdoor enthusiasts to give back outside their tight-knit community. Her inspirational attitude and infectious positivity has created a physical link between the active, motivated outdoor community and given it a vessel to participate in community outreach and youth development.
Go forth and connect.
As my network continues to expand, I look forward to figuring out how to “connect the dots” among these differing communities. In the mean time- link in to the good works of my friends above, you never know, they may light your fire too…
Two decades after its inception, Enlaces (meaning ‘link’ in Spanish) has connected educators and technology across the country! Next year, the government predicts a computer to student ratio of 1:10. Amazing!
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