Change.org Launches 7 New Blogs; Predictions for 2009We're pleased to announce that today we're launching seven new blogs to expand our network to 19 blogs covering the most important issues facing our world. Yes ma'am, that's a lot of blogs.
The new sites include Autism, Education, Global Health, Health Care, Human Trafficking, Poverty in America, and Sustainable Food. We've hired an amazing team of experts/activists to lead each community, selected from more than 1500 applicants. We hope you'll stop by, check out their take on the issues they'll be covering, and welcome them to the Change.org community. (As always, you can find the full list of our blogs on our Causes page.)
We also wanted to take this moment of New Year reflection to thank you for being part of the Change.org community. 2008 was an exciting year for Change.org. In October, we re-launched an updated site with a completely new structure and design, leading to a ten fold increase in daily traffic in less than 3 months. In November, in response to Barack Obama's call for citizen involvement in government, we launched Ideas for Change in America, which has thus far received more than 7000 ideas and 250,000 votes. (The final round of voting will begin next week – more on that to come Monday.) We have many more exciting things in store for 2009, and can't wait to continue working with you to build a nationwide movement for change around the major issues of our time.
Speaking of the future... our bloggers have consulted their Change.org-branded crystal balls and are offering predictions for their issues in 2009. Read on:
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| Another Hot Year The renewable energy industry and green jobs are likely to get a huge boost in investment from the Obama Administration, predicts Global Warming's Emily Gertz. Other predictions: Obama will reach out the public to gain support for a cap-and-trade bill, and corporate "greenwashing" will continue as companies fight the economic crisis by pushing their green credentials. |
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| Women Looking Forward Jen Nedeau expects a big year for Women's Rights. She highlights the predictions of three thinkers, who look ahead to the Obama presidency as moment of opportunity for all women. |
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| Gay Marriage, Finally Gay Rights blogger Michael Jones offers hope for marriage equality in 2009 after a frustrating year in the polls for his fellow activists. Mike's predictions: five states will move towards equality, with grassroots movements picking up steam and some high-level support (paging President Obama!) being offered as well. |
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| Hope for Darfur Genocide Blogger Michelle writes that the year is ending on a depressing note, as the security situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate. However, the Obama administration is promising to bring "unstinting resolve" to the White House, and justice is being sought in the ICC against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. Can 2009 finally bring a trace of hope? |
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| Business and Philanthropy In the New Year the Social Entrepreneurship movement will continue to benefit from the partnerships being forged between business and charity.Nathaniel Whittemore suggests seven trends that will shape the scene in the New Year, from new markets for philanthropy to new online social action platforms to the huge potential of mobile technology. |
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| Toyotas, Warlords, Apocalypse Looking into his crystal ball for 2009, Humanitarian Reliefer Michael Kleinman predicts militias worldwide continuing to favor the Toyota Hilux as their vehicle of choice, Congo getting into warlord haute couture, and aid agencies referring to crises in the most apocalyptic terms possible. For the latter, Michael will proudly do his part. |
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Welcome to 2009, folks. The first official year of Change in America.
- The Change.org Team
I am a lifelong progressive activist working for a better future. This has included work to create head of household green jobs, strengthening education, from pre-K to Higher Education, enactment of a single payer health insurance system, and (
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