Help Us Save Darfur

Originally published yesterday on the Social Media Club blog.

Special thanks to Chris Heuer and Kristie Wells for encouraging us to blog on the SMC site about some work we are performing on behalf of Save Darfur. This week marks the beginning of an aggressive campaign to take advantage of the administration change and use social media to encourage President-elect Obama to action and end the Darfur genocide.

The Save Darfur Coalition’s "Be A Voice For Darfur" postcard campaign seeks to ensure that Darfur is a top priority for the Obama Administration. Obama has already promised “unstinting resolve” to end the Darfur Genocide. The effort, which aims for no less than 1 million postcards to be emailed, blogged and snail-mailed to President-elect Obama within his first 100 days in office.

The hottest part is the unveiling of a petition application developed in conjunction with Facebook Causes. Other social media components include an influencer relations campaign, and a Darfur Blogger Toolkit with videos, photos, and other resources at http://www.addyourvoice.org/pages/blogger_toolkit. And of course, there’s the mandatory Twitter hashtag: #voice4darfur .

The appalling genocide in Darfur continues – now in its sixth year and at the price of nearly half a million lives. Ironically, this December marks the 60^th anniversary of the United Nations Genocide Convention, and we are still dealing with this horrific issue.

The time to for action is now, and in a year when many of us are suffering financial hardship, we can still make a difference. Signing the petition, tweeting or writing blog posts are great ways to help without expending a lot of cash.

This is a great example of social media for social good. But for it to work, you, the Social Media Club member needs to believe in the cause and do something about it. Help us end genocide, and spread the word to your friends online and with other local Social Media Club members

3 Responses to "Help Us Save Darfur

mark_hayward Says:

Greetings Geoff – thank you for taking the initiative and implementing this important work in conjunction with The Save Darfur Coalition.

I am working on a new post for our humanitarian site, Train for Humanity, and if it’s okay I would like to paraphrase some of what you have written here and link back to your post above…?

Kind regards,
Mark H.
http://trainforhumanity.org
Geoff Livingston Says:

Mark:

Certainly, take what you will. Let me know if I can add any additional info.

Geoff
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9 Trackbacks

What’s Right With Social Media | Altitude Branding Says:

[...] We can collectively experience and share hope. [...]
Social Media: The New Black Says:

[...] causes that you can help support just by using social media:The first, is a project that my friend Geoff Livingston’s agency is working on. Here’s what Geoff says about it on his blog:The Save Darfur Coalition’s [...]
Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media: The Save Darfur Coalition’s "Be A Voice For Darfur" - A Stellar Example of A Multi-Channel Campaign Says:

[...] of multi-channel campaign designed to bring attention to the appalling genocide in Darfur. Geoff Livingston and Qui Diaz are behind this brilliant multi-channel campaign that is using social media for social [...]
World on Fire » The Buzz Bin Says:

[...] Working on the Save Darfur campaign has provided me great relief, in part because I understand some of the underlying causes. While this is in essence fire-fighting, at least we can stop the flames. Then we can put in some fire codes with better global policies that involve a more sober view of human nature when faced with poverty and hunger. [...]
Brad Levinson: Media • Politics • Technology • Culture • Life Says:

[...] exactly like the new media world has turned a blind eye to Darfur – in fact, Geoff Livingston is currently working on a project for the Save Darfur Coalition, and all of can attest to joining at least two or three Darfur-themed [...]
Blogfordarfur.org - Save Darfur Blog Says:

[...] The Buzz Bin [...]
trainforhumanity.org - racing to make a difference » Blog Archive » One More TFH Event & Getting Ready for Phase Two Says:

[...] his first 100 days in office.” If you’re interested, go read the rest of the post – Help Us Save Darfur. « Mark Hayward Completes Miami Man Triathlon TFH Phase Two: Website in Progress [...]
Wanted: Your 30 Seconds for Darfur » The Buzz Bin Says:

[...] Take time to ask others to add their voice. This Blogger Toolkit includes Facebook and Twitter tips, video embed code, badges, and an point of contact at Save Darfur for questions. Additionally, Beth Kanter wrote up a case study on this multi-channel campaign, and Geoff blogged about our role in the effort. [...]
Communication Overtones: December 2008 Says:

[...] was why today, when I got an e-mail from Qui Diaz, who works for Livingston Communications, asking me to participate in the Save Darfur initiative, I took the opportunity to finally take [...]

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