blogging social change

Three posts in one day? Wow. Don’t get too excited, this is an anomaly — the Internet has turned up a bevvy of post-worthy material today.

Inside the CBC blogger Tod Maffin has posted a short e-book called “How to Pitch the Media.” It’s blunt, short, and by all of my own experience — very accurate. The e-book is licensed under a Commons Licence, so share it around.

Youth for Human Rights International should get an award for sheer volume of ads for this “campaign” (in parenthesis because I’m not sure if it’s actually running anywhere). The group partnered with Church of Scientology International to create 30 public service announcements to “educate and inspire the world.” There’s also a supplementary booklet called “What are Human Rights?”

The production values are impressive, though the whole thing is overwhelmingly wholesome. Please, no Katie and Tom jokes — I don’t see an ad for the “Right to Silent Childbirth.”

With slightly more than a month before the Homeless World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, teams from around the world are preparing to take their shot at international fame. Ringo Starr is an official endorser, and organizers say the event changes lives.

Some stats from the Homeless World Cup’s Social Impact Report (2005):

• 77% of players involved in the 2005 Homeless World Cup have changed their lives forever.
• 38% (80 players) have regular employment
• 40% (85 players) have improved their housing situation
• 12 players now make their living partly from football as coaches or players with professional and semi-professional teams

The American Obesity Task Force has a new spot with a simple message: “What you don’t know can hurt you.” Apparently, obesity puts you at a higher risk for heart disease — and having a fat person assault you in your driveway. Enjoy.