Add to friends

In many ways Amnesty is already a social network so it’s fitting that we’ve just hooked up with MySpace for the launch of their new Impact Channel dedicated to causes and charities. Tomorrow we’ll be on the UK homepage and on the Impact Channel homepage in time to celebrate World Human Rights Day on 10th December.

For me it’s all about getting Amnesty and human rights to be part of people’s conversations whether it’s down the pub, on the street or online. If MySpace is where you hang out then that’s where we want to be, sparking debate and getting people interested in human rights. 

We’ve come late to this party so after a mad scramble to find the best url we’re up and live. We’re pretty pleased with the result. You can find us at www.myspace/amnesty_uk Appologies in advance for the plug but we’re keen to build our profile so add us to your friends, join the debate and spread the word.

Go on Annie Lennox has joined ;o)

Has it really been two weeks…

since my first post? I had such good intensions. In my defense my feet have barely touched the ground since I started at Amnesty. There’s so many ideas and plans to make, not to mention budgets to secure and staff to recruit.

I’m genuinely excited about next year, I think there’s a real opportunity for us to put human rights at the top of the news agenda. It feels like something is stirring, Witness have just launched a YouTube for human rights in the States http://hub.witness.org and last night saw over 1500 very vocal sisters march through central London calling for an end to violence against women.

Hopefully when the bloggersphere and the placards meet we can start to bring about real change.

A new start

I know this might seem strange for someone who’s worked in the internet for 8 years but I’m ashamed to admit this is my first ever personal blog. It’s not that I’ve never blogged before, it’s just that it’s always been in the same space as my partner or as an employee. I’m sure it’ll take some getting used to but I’m excited about not having to share my musings with my other half or tow the company line.

I’m feeling bold due in part to an abrupt life change. Last week the company I worked for, Interesource, went in to administration only a month after being taken over by Global Beach. It was a shock to all involved, presumably apart from the three owners, and has hit many of my colleagues hard. I have worked with Interesource as both client and staff for 3 years and it’s painful to think that such a great team has been broken up so suddenly. I’m particularly proud of the work we did on My Telegraph and whilst not my own politics I think we achieved something truly great. Any company would be lucky to attract such talent and I’m sure my colleagues will be snapped up.

I’m lucky enough to have scored my dream job. I started work as New Media manager at Amnesty International on Monday. In 12 months I’ve gone from advising Rio Tinto on their corporate blogging strategy (work I ultimately turned down on ethical grounds) to figuring out how to use the web to fight injustice and torture. I hope to share some exciting ideas with you over the coming weeks.