U.S. Social Forum Writers Network December 8, 2009
This is a semi-monthly memo to the U.S. Social Forum Writers Network. Writers commit to helping spread the news about the USSF, which will be held in Detroit June 22-26, 2010. Please try to submit at least one piece of work per month to a local or national newspaper, community or professional newsletter, internet blog, or other media source. You are free to use the suggested “hooks” provided here to reach diverse audiences and to support the social movements behind the U.S. and World Social Forum process. Please send your ideas for future USSF writers story “hooks” or links pieces you’ve published to writers@ussf2010.org .
- Another world is possible! We need YOU to help make it happen!
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please distribute this call for participation. Or send people to the USSF website (www.ussf2010.org) and urge them to click “Get Involved”:
Thanks!
- Jackie Smith, Sociologists without Borders and member of the USSF Communications Working Group (If you want to help lead the network, contact jsmith40@nd.edu ).
Suggested Story “Hooks” Early December 2009
Writers Network Organizer Profiles
Writers in our network should consider writing profiles of the people who are helping to bring us the Detroit US Social Forum. We can post these profiles to the USSF’s wiki page of “Press-People Stories,” which aim to help mobilize activists coming to Detroit as well as to provide resources for journalists and organizers. Two new interviews of members of the Detroit Local Organizing Committee are posted on this site (http://wiki.ussf2010.org/wiki/Press_and_People_Stories):
• Environmental Justice and Global Climate Talks
World leaders are now meeting to discuss the issue of climate change in Copenhagen, and thousands of climate activists are mobilizing to press governments for more concrete action to curb global warming. Many experts are already predicting that the high-level talks will stall, but local environmental groups are continuing to pursue change through community empowerment. http://wiki.ussf2010.org/wiki/USSF_Activist_Profile:_Environmental_action_through_environmental_justice
• Organizing Faith- and Spirituality-based networks for social justice (Interview with Bill Wylie-Kellerman)
Kellerman reflects on the possibilities and the challenges of organizing among churches and faith-based networks in Detroit. He explores the potential of bringing faith- and spiritual communities into the U.S. Social Forum process.
http://wiki.ussf2010.org/wiki/Organizing_faith-_and_spirituality-based_networks_for_social_justice
DECEMBER 10 is International Human Rights Day!
• United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights http://www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/HumanRightsDay2009.aspx
• People’s Movement for Human Rights Education http://www.pdhre.org/
DECEMBER 7-18 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen—World leaders debate how to respond to climate change. www.campaigncc.org
Thinking ahead to …. UPCOMING EVENTS/ Story opportunities
JANUARY 18: MLK Day - reframe civil rights - right to good work, right to migrate, right to a healthy environment
FEBRUARY 15 Presidents’ Day - support Obama in doing what’s right - listen to the growing voice of civil society
MARCH 8: International Women’s Day
MAY 1- May Day: - speak to the left, the progressives, the workers, consolidate support for USSF
MAY 31: Memorial Day - Veterans for Peace & Iraq Vets against the war plug USSF
- TIPS FOR WRITERS
“How to Pitch a Story” http://www.timeday.org/book-appendix-c.asp
SEND YOUR SUGGESTIONS AND PUBLICATIONS TO: writers@ussf2010.org