blogging social change

I suppose it’s sort of like social change, even if many of us think it’s change for the worse. MyChoice.ca, “Canada’s Online Smokers’ Rights Association.” says that “Research shows Canada’s adult smokers are tired of feeling powerless and voiceless as they are hit time and again with increasing taxes, more severe restrictions, and social stigmatization.” Check. That’s true. Oh yes, and it was launched by the Canadian Tobacco Manufacturer’s Council. Please … think of the smokers!

The Synergos Institute is inviting candidates who are current staff members of grantmaking foundations from any country, to apply for their Senior Fellows Program. “The program launched in 1999 to build the capacity of institutions and individuals involved in grantmaking and philanthropy. Applying a peer-to-peer learning methodology, the programme creates opportunities for foundation colleagues from around the world to learn from one another, to combine energy on issues of mutual concern, and to share knowledge with others.” View the posting here.

PETA is launching their latest series of shocking ads featuring tortured animals this week, starting with a placement on CBS during the American Meat Institute Conference (yes, apparently there’s an American Meat Institute, and they have a conference). The 30-second spot includes narration by Alec Baldwin. There’s a long version for those who are gluttons for punishment.

Which do you wish for: Pop stardom or solution for global poverty? Apparently, Sarah McLachlan has chosen to both while promoting “World on Fire.” Her latest video (Quicktime video link) cost $150,000 … or was that $15? Instead of a sex-filled, record-shilling blight on our society, she’s suggesting the money should be spent somewhere else. Like, say, Bangladesh. Or Angola. Or Afghanistan.

What’s $150,000 worth to the developing world? Sarah’s got a pretty good idea.

Control Room, the documentary on Al-Jazeera, is showing on CBC’s The Passionate Eye tomorrow at 10:00 p.m. for anyone who is interested.
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CBC Newsworld: Passionate Eye Showcase
Sunday, September 26, 2004, 10:00 p.m.
Control Room

With exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Arab broadcaster, American journalists, and the players at U.S. Army Central Command the documentary takes an unprecedented look at the media and the business of war.

War Child Canada is currently looking for Project Coordinators for work in Northern Uganda and in Sudan.

Non-profit organization and pharmaceutical company — an oxymoron to most, but not to Victoria Hale, founder and CEO of San Francisco based Institute for OneWorld Health. Their vision: The Institute for OneWorld Health will serve as a positive agent for change by saving lives, improving health, and fulfilling the promise of medicine for those most in need.

Project Hello is putting a name to the thousands of homeless people in Venice, California. They’re out meeting the homeless on the street, and photographing them with large “Hello, my name is …” cards. They’re looking to expand their project beyond California’s borders. Last month, they launched the first of a series of ads.

The Canadian Centre for Philanthropy and Volunteer Canada have just announced the latest results in their ambitious series of research. This time, it’s the National Survey of Nonprofit and Voluntary Organizations. It’s the best attempt yet to fully map Canada’s charitable sector. Read the executive summary, or the full report (PDF downloads).

Donna Morton is the Executive Director of the Centre for Integral Economics (CIE), based out of Victoria, BC. They’re asking tough questions about Canada’s tax laws, like “why don’t we stop giving tax breaks on things that are bad for us, and start giving them on things that are good for us?” Can taxation motivate social change? Donna thinks it can. It’s far more complicated than that, but worth checking out.