The Internet is a powerful tool for advocacy. An e-mail alert to a list of a few hundred organizers, if it’s passed on, can go around the world and reach thousands, or even millions, of people in a matter of hours. A web site can post information, an alert, or a petition that’s viewed or signed by, again, thousands, or even millions of people from all over the world. The Internet has no time or distance constraints, compared to other means of communication, it can cost very little to use, it’s enormous (it’s estimated that there are now over a billion web sites), and in the 21st century, it reaches far into the corners of the globe.
There’s a difference, however, between simply using the Internet and using it effectively. To do the latter, you have to understand the medium and your own needs, and decide exactly how the two best fit together. You also have to consider the effect of your electronic messages and packaging on those who’ll be receiving them, and adjust accordingly.
Some basic guidelines to keep in mind:
• Keep it simple. For both web sites and e-mail, avoid the bells and whistles, so they’re quick and easy to download.
• Don’t overuse e-mail.
• Make requested action as easy as possible.
• Be absolutely clear about what needs to be done by when. (And keep it simple.)
• Collect e-mail addresses at every opportunity.
• Publicize your web site wherever and whenever you can.
• Pay attention to language.
• Be culturally sensitive.
A more specific guide to e-activism includes:
• Decide what you want to use electronic advocacy for.
• Consider your audience.
• Consider your resources.
• Assemble an e-mail list.
• Learn how to prepare an e-mail action alert.
• Work with the media electronically.
• Understand about learning and building a web site.
• Integrate e-mail and web tools.
• Make your newsletter electronic.
• Publicize your URL and necessary e-mail addresses.
• Think about security of your website.
The Internet represents a significant change in the potential for successful advocacy, and can make your own advocacy both easier and more effective.
© Community Tool Box – http://ctb.ku.edu/
En "Trazando una larga historia de la Coalición Internacional del Hábitat y la producción social del hábitat", Ana Vilenica conversa con Enrique Ortiz y Maria Silvia Emanuelli de HIC-AL para [...]
Mtandao ni chombo chenye nguvu cha kutetea haki. E-mail ya tahadhari kwa orodha ya waandaaji mia chache, ikiwa imepitishwa, inaweza kuzunguka ulimwengu na kufikia maelfu, au hata mamilioni, ya watu katika suala la saa. Tovuti inaweza kuchapisha habari, tahadhari, au ombi ambalo linaonekana au kusainiwa na, tena, maelfu, au hata mamilioni ya watu kutoka ulimwenguni kote. Mtandao hauna vikwazo vya muda au umbali, ikilinganishwa na njia nyingine za mawasiliano, inaweza kugharimu kidogo sana kutumia, ni kubwa sana (inakadiriwa kuwa sasa kuna tovuti zaidi ya bilioni moja), na katika karne ya 21, inafikia mbali katika pembe za ulimwengu. Hata hivyo, kuna tofauti kati ya kutumia Intaneti tu na kuitumia kwa njia yenye matokeo. Ili kufanya hivyo, ni lazima uelewe njia na mahitaji yako mwenyewe, na uamue hasa jinsi hizo mbili zinavyofaa pamoja. Pia lazima uzingatie athari za ujumbe wako wa elektroniki na ufungaji kwa wale ambao watapokea, na kurekebisha ipasavyo. Maagizo ya msingi ya kuzingatia: Kwa wote tovuti na barua pepe, kuepuka kengele na filimbi, hivyo wao ni haraka na rahisi kupakua. • Usitumie barua-pepe kupita kiasi. • Fanya hatua inayohitajika iwe rahisi iwezekanavyo. • Kuwa wazi kabisa kuhusu kile kinachohitaji kufanywa na wakati. (Na ufanye mambo yawe rahisi.) • Kukusanya anwani za barua pepe katika kila fursa. • Tangaza tovuti yako popote na wakati wowote uwezavyo. • Jihadharini na lugha. • Uwe mwenye kujali utamaduni. Mwongozo maalum zaidi wa e-activism ni pamoja na: • Kuamua nini unataka kutumia utetezi wa elektroniki kwa. • Fikiria wasikilizaji wako. • Fikiria uwezo wako wa kifedha. • Fanya orodha ya barua pepe. • Jifunze jinsi ya kutayarisha onyo la hatua kwa barua pepe. • Kufanya kazi na vyombo vya habari kwa njia ya elektroniki. • Kuelewa kuhusu kujifunza na kujenga tovuti. • Kuunganisha e-mail na zana za mtandao. • Fanya jarida lako liwe la kielektroniki. • Tangaza URL yako na anwani za barua pepe zinazohitajika. • Fikiria usalama wa tovuti yako. Mtandao unawakilisha mabadiliko makubwa katika uwezekano wa utetezi wa mafanikio, na unaweza kufanya utetezi wako mwenyewe kuwa rahisi na ufanisi zaidi. "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika makala ya ""Makubaliano ya Kimataifa ya Mazingira na Uhifadhi wa Mazingira"" ya Ana Vilenica na Enrique Ortiz na Maria Silvia Emanuelli, Mkurugenzi wa HIC-AL."