Nominations - Advocacy award

This campaign - with a petition currently standing at over 63,000 names - succeeded in bringing human rights to the top of the agenda at the Internet Governance Forum in November 2006. Because of its nature, the campaign was principally conducted online. Nearly 2 million visitors a month see the dynamic fragment of censored content on blogs and sites around the world.

The site is an innovative model of internet advocacy that uses an approach which appeals to web-based audiences that feel strongly about these issues, such as bloggers, web producers and developers.

The site started as an Amnesty UK-only initiative in partnership with The Observer, Soda Creative and OpenNet, but was so popular with the global Amnesty International movement it soon developed into the multilingual version we see today. It's a very simple idea and is backed up by some emblematic action cases on the various Amnesty sites across the world, creating a gateway for activists wishing to get more deeply involved.

One page on the site is dedicated to Irrepressible.info’s blogging community - www.irrepressible.info/blogs - and shows, at a glance, that many new bloggers are finding and featuring the dynamic fragment or writing about irrepressible.info every day.

Irrepressible.info is a simple idea that uses the technology to make its point in a non-gimmicky way by capturing the spirit of the internet, particularly its importance as a force for change, as a tool of personal publishing and of information democratisation.

Nominated by Mel Herdon, 02 March 2007

most original

Nominated by Maria Cereceda, 07 March 2007

This is an innovative campaigning site, using new web technologies to bring together online activists to campaign for freedom for their counterparts in less open countries.

Nominated by donnacha, 07 March 2007

Because the new media is a new area of freedoms but also restrictions and human rights abuses.

The world shoul dknow more about it and Irrepressible and raising awareness and creativng activism around concrete cases such as that of Shi Tao.

Nominated by Karen, 16 April 2007

This internet campaign, echoing the freedom of expression campaign that started Amnesty International 45 years ago, was an amazing example of how old campaigning methods can be updated to be relevant and effective in the modern era, and especially relevant to young people who might be put off by traditional letter-writing campaigns.

Submitted by geebee, 08 March 2007

Engaging. Innovative. Right on.

Submitted by Elizabeth A. Haydn-Jones, 08 March 2007

The irrepressible.info campaign has already had some impact - Google, Microsoft and Yahoo! have agreed to joint talks with Amnesty and other NGOs about how to work in countries like China while respecting human rights.

Submitted by Steve Ballinger, 08 March 2007

Effective and easy to use, I love the way irrespressible has grown, putting freedom of expression online on the agenda for many people

Submitted by Corinne, 08 March 2007

This campaign site brilliantly highlighted and disseminated the type of online material censored by governments and aided & abetted by the software giants. The take-up by the online community, especially bloggers, has been impressive. The success of the site meant that censorship became a major theme of last November's Internet Governance Forum.

Submitted by Patrick Corrigan, 08 March 2007

we tend to take freedom of expression for granted, yet people in other parts of the world aren't so lucky. The irrepressible campaign is a reminder to us all about our responsibility to defend freedom of expression all over the globe.

Submitted by Patrick O'Neill, 08 March 2007

This site is very innovative and was partly responsible for human rights gaining considerable prominence at the Internet Governance Forum in Athens last Autumn.

A great site that bloggers across the world have taken to their hearts!

Submitted by Paul Eagle, 09 March 2007

Irrespressible.info is one of the best recent initiatives on the net - an essential campaign for freedom of expression. I love the dynamic fragment - it's all over the blogosphere. Keep spreading the word.

Submitted by Veronique Dupont, 12 March 2007

On 25 March 1807, the slave trade was abolished in the British colonies. The breakthrough in 1807 was not achieved by an individual but by a mass movement which brought together many different sections of society.

In less than 20 years, isolated voices of protest developed into a popular movement that not only managed to challenge assumptions about slavery that had been embedded over hundreds of years, but also convinced many people that they had an obligation to end it. Its achievements were unparalleled at the time and even today there are only a limited number of campaigns which could claim to have had the same impact.

To harness the abolition spirit of 1807 when tens of thousands of ordinary people signed petitions to end the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Anti-Slavery International created a campaigning mini-site with information on events, petitions, e-cards and specific campaign actions on modern day slavery. To date 16,122 have signed the petition, 50 events around the UK have been listed to happen in 2007. Throughout the year 16,000

e-cards have been sent peaking at 12,000 in one month. The site also has information about campaigners from the past and partners in the 2007 Heritage Network of Museums, Galleries and Archives. Thousands of resources have been bought and downloaded.

It has been linked to and from many other sites and the web address is in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles.

The campaign that tens of thousands have today pledged support for has already seen some successes - for example in government proposals to make it compulsory to teach the Transatlantic Slave Trade in schools will now happen. Commemorative activities such as stamps, coins will be issued in March 2007, and a national service at Westminster Abbey. There has also been renewed government focus on contemporary forms of slavery.

Nominated by Raj Dasani, 01 March 2007

No man can give onother man his freedon becos a man is born free.Malco x.Sauth african economy is rankd the best amongs thos of the developing countries ,and this culd hv nt bin achieved hd it nt bin the exploitation of black man by white, and this legacy wil haunt the blacks for the next 100yrs in the post apartheid era .In the past cuple of week i bin researching on the this topic slavery particulari in africa and the consiquences are that ,i wil neva cum into terms with this barbaric b'havior or to sum up im stil angry bt neva the les and i salute our greatest leaders who showd their wilingnes to die and thos ar the likes of martin luther,malcom x ,stokely carmichael to mention bt a few .Ya they wer quantitatively smal bt wer qualitatively giants and their courageous act in the face of death helped shape the course history .I olso want to bring into your atention that recism in sauth africa is stil veri high since sum few individuals within the white comunity do like change.

Submitted by Thami, 22 April 2007

Avaaz have already raised the biggest global petitions for decisive action to stop climate change and to close Guantanamo Bay prison. We’re campaigning for real Middle East peace talks and for a change of course in Iraq. We teamed up with Oxfam and Desmond Tutu to call G8 finance ministers to account on their failure to live up to their development promises. We managed to launch a campaign to sack Paul Wolfowitz from the World Bank straight away, delivered it to the board, and maybe helped get him out – we definitely helped set the agenda with lots of media coverage, and channelled what hundreds of millions of people were thinking around the world: "JUST GO!"

Lots of creative 2.0 stuff too - YouTube triumphs include “The Bank”, a comic “mash-up” of Wolfowitz as the incompetent boss in “The Office” (US version sadly…) done by the guy who made the Hillary/1984 ad. “Stop the Clash of Civilisations”, which won an award in its own right and just made the front page of YouTube – it says “You are the new superpower”. Recognition all over the place, from the Economist to German, French, Indian, Spanish and Brazilian media, I’m losing track.

If you know MoveOn.org in the US (they helped get this off the ground), you’ll get a bit of a picture of what Avaaz.org is up to internationally. Not everybody supports every campaign, but we generally seem to be going in the same direction – globalisation with a human face. Positive people-powered progressive politics, globally.

Who says petitions are just sterile anti-political protest? The Chartists didn’t think so.

Nominated by Paul, 24 May 2007

Because it gives a voice to millions of thinking individuals all over the world who otherwise feel powerless to make any impact on important world issues which affect us all.

Nominated by Corinne Hua, 28 May 2007

Avaaz is great!

Submitted by Ben, 24 May 2007

Avaaz proves that online advocacy can really make a difference; by targeting their campaigns carefully and with perfect timing I believe they've already made quite an impact.

Submitted by Guy James, 25 May 2007

Together we can make difference. Lets do it. Let our voice be heard.

sahib

Submitted by sahib, 26 May 2007

What the world needs is for people to stand together and focus on the issues that unites us as human beings. This is the message of Avaaz and what makes it such a great initiative!

Submitted by Esben Lange, 26 May 2007

Thank you avaaz community, there should be more like you!

Submitted by Reza, 26 May 2007

Through Avaaz I feel I have a voice in political issues that matter to me.

Thanks

Submitted by Eleanor, 27 May 2007

Aavaz did a good job

Submitted by ListenArabic.com, 27 May 2007

I fully support Avaaz. An innovative a forward looking initiative

Submitted by Justice Levi, 27 May 2007

Avaaz. One of the best initiatives I have seen in a long while.

Submitted by AnonymousFreak, 27 May 2007

I just took a look at the avaaz website, and it really loks like a great company. I support their goals for 100%, and so should the rest of the world.

Submitted by KS, 28 May 2007

Avaaz is a fantastic campaigning movment.It is using the power of the internet to mobilise people in a way not possible before.It allows a differant view of the world to be expressed which is not obsessed with political power and money. It hilights issues that the vast majority of the citizens of this planet agree on such as social justice and the environment.

Submitted by Paul Walsh, 28 May 2007

Avaaz gives me hope. Continue to make a difference.

Submitted by WC, 29 May 2007

i support Avaaz on every campaign. people like Avaaz give back hope that we can realy change things in "our" world.

Submitted by Stavros Rossos, 29 May 2007

If you truly care about our children's and their children's futures, join AVAAZ. Together we can make this world a fairer and cleaner place. No government has the right to dictate or take control of our earth's resources and AVAAZ brings awareness to the short sighted and underhand tactics of certain greedy governments whose ONLY goal is to gain wealth and power whilst ignoring their dessimation of the climate and the planet's environment and the destruction of the quality of life of millions of people around the world!

Your own struggling hard working lifestyle may mean you have neither time nor the energy to fight against the injustices imposed by the worlds most powerful governments but by taking two minutes to join the inovative online organisation AVAAZ, and signing the petitions, we all really can make a fantastic impact on the lives of our children and their children in years to come! Don't just think about it, sign up now! It will cost you nothing but will give you (as it has me) great hope for a better future! Thank you AVAAZ....

Submitted by Natali Hurley, 29 May 2007

I have such high hopes that AVAAZ can start creating a positive change in our world. PEACE!

Submitted by Shana, 29 May 2007

Grass roots is the only way to break through and engender change with hope: it always has been. AVAAZ brings this possibility to a place where it can become a reality. We have been waiting for such a voice.

Submitted by Roslin, 30 May 2007

cyber power = people power = AVAAZ

Submitted by Ho Yock Lin, Malaysia, 30 May 2007

no one else.. but the youth can take care of this world now.. Avaaz have shown its young/brave/committed effort to make this world a better place.. I truly support Avaaz.org to win this award. :)

Submitted by Space, 30 May 2007

Last year over 3500 parents were surveyed online and the subsequent press release, entitled The Parent Pendulum Swings Back, caught the public imagination. On and offline publicity reached millions of people and attracted over 30,000 visitors to www.backtothetable.co.uk. Across the internet, websites concerned about nutrition, education, parenting and health picked up the story and linked to site, as did the BBC, GMTV and Sky.

Over the years the campaign website has grown with increasing user-based functionality. There are downloadable invitations to dinner, downloadable posters for anyone working with families, galleries of families eating together and every day of the week hundreds of parents swap recipe ideas in the forums.

The effect the campaign has had in pushing this agenda is clear. A recent survey of 1000 families revealed that 70% of British families now eat together at least three times a week. Back To The Table’s most recent survey of 3388 parents, found that 89% believed eating together regularly was the key to improving family life.

Government ministers have caught up– Hazel Blears last year promoted the family meal as part of the Government's Respect agenda. Opinion formers across the childcare spectrum, celebrity chefs, as well as children's charities have pledged their support for our aims. But it's when huge brands such as Bisto, put millions behind a family meal campaign, that we know we're really getting somewhere.

In 2007 Back to the Table Week will launch with the results of a new web-based survey. Initiatives will include Back to the Table podcasts and member blogs and a Back To The Table special from our online chef. Based on the success of the campaign over previous years, we are confident of widespread support from child care experts, celebrities, charities, schools and social services.

Nominated by Dr Pat Spungin, 31 May 2007

Raisingkids.co.uk are a fantastic website - they have certainly helped me from pregnancy to childbirth to problems with my 13 year old.

Submitted by Sam Chisholm, 31 May 2007

Raisingkids.co.uk is a site not just for parents, but also those working with children and going through tough times needing advice. I found this an amazing support network and my health has improved in more ways than i can say on this comment box since i became a member.

Submitted by Heather Robinson, 31 May 2007

Back to the Table played a huge part in our family sorting out its unhealthy and family-unfriendly eating habits. We got our first family dining table, introduced new rules. TV was turned off, and from the campaign and forum posts, we got loads of new recipes to try. Now, we all eat together as a family at least once a day, and are much closer as a result! Thankyou "Back to the Table"

Submitted by Marcel Booth, 31 May 2007

message as posted before, although i got the rating wrong!

Submitted by Heather Robinson, 31 May 2007

The Back To The Table campaign has really helped me to get all my family sat round the table together at mealtimes. My fussy eater has started to eat all her dinner most days and will try new things, so her little brother is copying good habits now. Dinnertime has gone from dread to delight thanks to this campaign and the Raising Kids website in general is fantastic.

Submitted by Catriona Berry, 31 May 2007

A simple, but effective campaign that can really make a difference to family life.

Submitted by B. Stott, 31 May 2007

RaisingKids has brought my family closer together by introducing Back to the Table.We now actually sit and talk and find out what everyone has done that day.Its more relaxing too as the kids enjoy setting the table for our tea..and even clearing away!keep it up RK.

Submitted by Beverley Mowbray, 01 June 2007

Raising kids have been promoting not only Back to the Table for some time, but have been supporting any issues around family life, which often get raised at the table during meal time family talks. The Back to the Table campaign is bringing back an important part of family life, which is missing in some families and Raising Kids such be proud of the work they have been doing in trying to implement its return. Meal times together are paramount to a happy family. Well done RK.

Submitted by Chris Turner, 01 June 2007

For creating and maintaining a quality re-designed website promoting effective action against heart disease

17 May 2007

In 2005 the NHS in Lambeth proposed a new drug treatment centre in Brighton Terrace, in the centre of Brixton. Brixton has one of the worst drug problems in the UK and a desperate need for more treatment places.

A campaign by local councillors against the Brighton Terrace site persuaded the Lambeth planning committee to defer a decision with the intent of refusing planning permission. The campaign started in response to the threat that this would mean no improved treatment facilities for some years.

The campaign was started by an informal group of Brixton residents on local website Urban 75 and associated website 'My Brixton'.

The online campaign used a wiki for the arguments and succeeded in rapidly getting over 300 local residents to sign up in favour of planning permission. Discussion on Urban75 covered the relevant arguments for and against in depth and persuaded people to sign up on a real understanding of the arguments. Opponents of the scheme were given the opportunity to state their case and make the case for alternative locations – so that the campaign became a genuine debate rather than a slanging match.

The campaign reached out to groups usually excluded from planning decisions including recovering heroin addicts, people staying at local homeless shelters, local churches and local residents who are affected by Brixton's drug problems.

In late 2005 following submission of the 348 signature petition to the planning committee the provisional decision was reversed and the treatment centre was approved.

The campaign was run on a budget of zero, with small time commitments from three volunteers who organised it. The three volunteers only had time to meet in person once during the campaign so the campaign was almost entirely online.

Nominated by Rob Blackie, 25 May 2007

This is an excellent nomination.

Submitted by Alef Rosenbaum, 25 May 2007

There are over 6 million committed carers in the UK today. The care they provide saves the NHS an estimated £57 billion each year. Yet their work is largely unrecognised and unrewarded. Many carers suffer poverty, ill health and discrimination due to the financial and time demands of caring.

Carers UK is committed to making the voice of carers heard in society. The organisation harnesses new media technologies as a critical tool in its work. As carers are frequently isolated, the organisation uses its website to bring together a carers movement, provide opportunities for carers to campaign, and showcase the real issues affecting carers today. The site also acts as a one-stop shop with essential information for new carers on financial support and rights, and peer support via forums.

Recognising that carers have limited time and money, the site is clear and to the point, and is designed to download quickly for dial-up connections and be readable on older browsers. Visitors move quickly to simple, straightforward surveys on their experiences of caring and fast sign-ups to take part in public campaigns.

In using its website as a two-way communications channel, Carers UK makes its campaign messages hit home. The 2005 Back Me Up campaign highlighted the lack of support for carers in emergencies, making use of the website to survey the extent of the problem, present media case studies, and providing resources for carers to campaign locally. By the end of 2006 the number of emergency support schemes for carers had almost doubled, and in November 2006 government announced an extra £25 million specifically to provide emergency support to carers in a crisis.

Current homepage campaign highlights are focused on improving financial support for carers (by lobbying Gordon Brown) and influencing the National Strategy for Carers (through consultation meetings with ministers).

Nominated by Kate Huntington, 31 May 2007

They continue to deliver news that is not available through popular media outlets, news that responsible citizens need to have. They deserve the Advocacy Award because they give a voice to those who have none.

Nominated by carol strom, 21 May 2007

Childnet’s latest educational CD-ROM Know IT All for Parents is a multimedia approach to helping parents better support their children’s positive and safe use of the internet. Originally Commissioned by the Department for Education and Skills as part of the Government’s Computers for Pupils initiative, it was made available to 100,000 of England’s most deprived families. However following demand from schools the DFES decided to make it available free of charge to all state maintained schools in England. Schools ordered 50,000 copies on the first day it became available. PC WORLD are the first company to commit to making the CD-ROM available to its customers free of charge. Know IT All for Parents will be made available in the stores and preloaded on computers aimed at families.

In producing the interactive CD-ROM Childnet consulted with a wide range of parents who said that their preferred way of receiving internet safety information was by people or TV rather than websites. This is why the CD-ROM makes extensive and innovative use of video, a number of presenters deliver the information and explain how to navigate around.

The content is organised by themes which relate to family life; for example shopping, finding things out, staying in touch and includes material produced by young people themselves, and an Activity Centre with quizzes which encourages parents and children to work together. To make the content as accessible as possible, the Quick overview section has been translated into Arabic, Bengali, Gujarati, Polish, Mandarin, Punjabi, Urdu and British Sign Language.

Although the material includes video, there is a full text-only version for viewers for people who use a text reader. The entire content of the resource available online at www.childnet-int.org/kia.

Parmjit Dhanda, MP, Minister for Children, Young People and Families, welcomed the launch of Know IT All for Parents by saying, "I am delighted with this new resource.

Nominated by Stephen Carrick-Davies, 29 May 2007

We have now had over 120,000 orders from schools in the first 2 weeks and requests from other countries to link to the language sections.

Submitted by Stephen Carrick-Davies, 01 June 2007

This is a great information resource. Anyone coming out of university will know how hard it is to get on the housing ladder.

24 May 2007

The website engages users by motivating and inspiring their efforts to go smokefree. A wealth of information is available to download such as campaign plans, artwork, PR toolkits, newsletters, and resources for organisations. The multimedia TV advertisements can be viewed online adding a greater impact to the user experience.

The site encourages users to consider how much better they will feel and how much more extra money they will have if they go smokefree. It includes a cost of smoking (dependency) calculator and a wide range of interactive tools to help people make the decision to give up including a 4 step guide to quitting (‘Get Ready’, ‘Make A Plan’, ‘Go Smokefree’, ‘Keep Going’) and an interactive body highlighting the effects of smoking.

The site supports the overall go smokefree campaign brand by interacting with and informing the target audience. Research by the Department of Health shows the average smoker needs over 5,000 cigarettes a year to feed their habit. With this in mind, the content of the site avoids preaching to the user and uses real life examples to create a welcoming and friendly environment. It is designed to Double AA accessibility standards ensuring traditional hard to reach users have access to this resource.

Launched on 8th January 2007, it has attracted up to 660,000 unique visitors viewing 3.5 million pages. In just its first month of launch the site had seen over 72,000 unique visitors and increased legacy site visitors by 309%.

Over 50,000 who visited the site have used the dependency calculator to highlight the cost of their habit with a conversion rate of 89%. The site has helped engage users as over 107,000 have followed the steps to ‘how do I go smokefree’ and over 50,000 have searched for their local service to help them quit.

Nominated by Stel Grekos, 31 May 2007

The Disability Debate site has enjoyed growing popularity and in 2006 the number of visitors doubled with over 9,000 site visits per month and over 5,000 registered users – that’s a staggering 150% increase form the anticipated 2000 registrants!

Forums such as ‘increase disabled peoples participation’ and ‘increase life skills’ have helped changed public perceptions and promote greater debate. A MORI poll analysis from the DRC ‘The Future: Who Cares’ Report 2006 shows strong levels of support for reform of social services – 90% thought it important for disabled people to receive support and 78% support services that enable participation in communities.

The output from the consultation period was a detailed publication outlining what the DRC believe are the chief public policy challenges for the coming decade and the actions required to meet them. This is the Disability Agenda which launched in February 2007. It encourages users to discuss the Agenda’s priorities for reform and attracted almost 2,000 visitors to the live discussion.

Visitors submitted questions to the Minister of Welfare and Reform and a selection were answered in the live discussion. 11,000 visitors logged on and 205 questions were submitted for the hour long discussion. This was the first in a series to encourage debate surrounding the DRC’s 10 priorities from their ‘Changing Britain for Good’ Paper. It is the first time a webcast had simultaneous text to speech translation enabling users with visual impairments to hear the text read aloud during the live discussion.

“Bringing together individuals, organisations, and policy makers in this unique way has for the first time encouraged proactive online discussion on the many issues facing disabled people. We are thrilled with the level of response to our campaign and strongly feel that perceptions are being changed and communicated right across the country. A great user friendly experience online has undoubtedly helped us achieve our aims. “

John Hunt

Website Manager

Disability Rights Commission

Nominated by Stel Grekos, 31 May 2007

The e-Learning Foundation, established in 2001, has been working tirelessly to reduce the effect of this “Digital Divide” by consulting with schools, parents and stakeholders to ensure that all children have access to technology learning resources that, when and where they need them, both at home and at school.

Most of us take technology for granted. It is part of our daily lives - how we work, learn and communicate with each other. But 2.5 million of the most disadvantaged schoolchildren in the UK are still living on the edge of our digital society with no home access to a computer and the Internet.

Computer skills can help these children avoid poverty in the future. Without action the UK will increasingly become polarised between the e-included and the e-excluded.

The Government understand the detrimental impact of the digital divide. It has created a Ministerial Task Force to draw up a plan to provide all school age children with IT access.

Jim Knight, the Minister for State, has commended the e-Learning Foundation on the work it has done to close the digital divide and provide home access to deprived areas. The Government has invited the e-Learning Foundation to spearhead the Third Sector on the Task Force.

The e-Learning Foundation beat off stiff competition to become a chosen charity for the DSGi Group’s ‘Switched on Communities’ project, a three year community investment program to support disadvantaged groups through the provision of technology and training.

35,000 children in the UK have so far benefited from £8 million worth of grants provided by the e-Learning Foundation to set up sustainable projects at 200 schools around the UK.

Nominated by J Howells, 12 April 2007

clear and informative site stating principles and outlining operations. easy to move around and find information

Submitted by andrea, 14 April 2007

Easy to understand site, which clearly represents a valuable cause.

Submitted by David, 14 April 2007

An organisation that does a valuable job in helping disadvantaged children to gain the technological skills they need to learn and to gain employment in later life. And it has a great website!

Submitted by Rachael, 22 April 2007

31 May 2007

Subsidies paid to farmers under the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy amount to approximately €55 billion a year, around 45% of European Union’s entire annual budget, or around €115 for each EU citizen. The shared aim of the farmsubsidy.org network is to obtain - through freedom of information (FOI) requests – comprehensive data about where this money goes and present it in a way that is useful to European citizens, policy-makers and the media.

Together with partner organizations and individuals, farmsubsidy.org is building a pan-European network of organizations and individuals working to obtain, analyze and publish data on farm subsidies. Farmsubsidy.org was co-founded and is led by Jack Thurston, Executive Director of EU Transparency, a non-profit organization based in the UK. The other core network members are Brigitte Alfter, a German-born journalist based in Brussels, who also writes for the Danish broadsheet ‘Information’ and Nils Mulvad, based in Denmark and one of the leading European innovators of computer assisted reporting, voted European Journalist of the Year 2006 for his sleuthing of farm subsidy recipients in Denmark.

Transparency is an important principle underpinning the accountability and legitimacy of government to an active and well-informed civil society. The farm subsidy database has recorded almost 2 million user searches since it was launched in December 2005 and the data has made headlines across the European Union. The work of farmsubsidy.org has also led to a far-reaching change in EU policy on transparency which was agreed in December 2006. From 2007 onwards, all EU spending will be subject to full transparency as to the end recipients. Farmsubsidy.org was described by the WorldChanging blog as an example of 'geek activism done right'.

Nominated by Rob Blackhurst, 03 May 2007

They deserve the recognition

28 May 2007

By showing you how to Be Cool, Global Cool helps you do all the things you can do to save a planet. By allowing you to donate a Tonne of Cool, Global Cool helps you do the things you couldn't otherwise do to save a planet.

29 May 2007

The Greenpeace website tries to promote action through inviting people to get involved in a number of ways in capacities. Online, Greenpeace provides a detailed account of its latest activities in a blog that covers what it's been up to worldwide. In the blog, there are many pictures and videos to showcase the group's involvement. Also, Greenpeace used the web to keep everyone up-to-date with the latest environmental news as it relates to their goals.

19 April 2007

The Greener Apple website has a very attractive layout that closely resembles that of the official Apple website. Using "Apple-like language" (like iPoison, .mAct, iPush) and colorful graphics to illustrate the project goals, the website presents a convincing arguement and uses creative tactics to get its message across. You can even buy "greener" Apple t-shirts, alert friends about the campaign with e-cards, submit videos about Greener Apple using some provided footage and learn about plans of action to love your Mac while making it greener.

19 April 2007

The most interesting part of the I Count website is their "My actions" section, where supporters can put themselves on the map and see who else is working for the same things in their area. They can also learn how to "dish the dirt" and conserve water, as well as swap clothes with friends instead of splurging on a new outfit. There are also downloadable stickers and a list of events. Registering with I Count will let users have access to all resources on the website as well as updates on the group's activities.

19 April 2007

Intelligentgiving.com has been described as the Which? magazine of charities. It is a free, outspoken website designed to demystify the charity world - helping everyone give to charity happily and with confidence.

It offers:

- An intelligent search system allowing you to find your kind of charity

- The truth about charity muggers, chief executives salaries and more

- Listings of charities which have won awards

- Listings of charities recommended by experts

- A calculator helping visitors decide how much to give

- Ranked profiles of the country’s largest 500 charities

Basic details of a further 1000 charities

- Comprehensive listings of where to get rid of old junk from clothes and mobile phones, to glasses and computers

Intelligent Giving is innovative in its approach to reporting on and about charities. Rather than copy the somewhat dull and worthy style of the charity sector, Intelligent Giving presents serious information in a fun way that is accessible to ‘the person on the street’. The style, tone of voice and humour is a breath of fresh air in what can often be a stifling sector.

The website makes excellent use of new technologies and is constantly being updated and improved as new information and challenges arise.

There is no other site like it in the UK and it deserves to be a huge success.

Nominated by Neill Ghosh, 27 February 2007

This site will provide you with the background information and the campaigning materials you will need to fight back.

Entitled ‘Journalism Matters’, the campaign will address the many urgent issues facing the industry and look at ways of defending high quality journalism against commercial attack.

15 May 2007

The campaign was extraordinarily successful in generating much favourable publicity across the world. This was thanks in no small part to the the campaign blog, that was used to communicate with supporters accross the world.

The campaign blog was used to show video messages or support of celebrities from around the world. It also mobilised supporters across the globe to hold co-ordinated demonstrations outside Burberry stores across the world in cities Paris, New York, Chicago, San Francisco.

Nominated by Daniel Taylor, 23 May 2007

HERE HERE, we can not expect our local Chavs to be forced to wear tacky clothing that is not British!

Submitted by C. Havers, 23 May 2007

He should win this award becasue not only did he come of with an effective way to communicate and build a greater sense of community - through his tireless efforts he's gotten others to use it! (because it's so easy)

The results speak for themselves. There is a sense of community where none existed before. Think about it, King's Cross, not Chelsea!

Nominated by Stephan Schulte, 30 May 2007

it's great to be nominated - the website is about making kings cross a better place to live.

stephan schulte ran (and still runs) a kings cross community email list to organise and galvanise local activists. I built on this web 1.0 approach using powerful but easy to use off the shelf web 2.0 tools. With my collaborators I have tried to build a bridge between online activism and existing political institutions that actually take the decisions on the ground. getting councillors involved in the site, driving audiences to planning meetings, getting people to write letters and emails, praising council officials who do well, generating feedback for local public services.

this actually gets things done and changed to make the environment better, rather than just fulminating in an online bubble as some sites do.

simple use of video has been particularly powerful directly in cutting through the bureaucracy of noise complaints and indirectly in communicating messages.

we also leaven the mix to make activism more palatable with local restaurant and shopping reviews, nature stuff, photos, local history etc

cheers

Submitted by will perrin, 31 May 2007

LabourStart's online campaigns in support of trade union rights have broken new ground since the website was launched a decade ago. Based on an ever-growing network that now includes over 52,000 trade union activists on all continents, the campaigns can often deliver 1,000 messages to an employer or government within the first four hours of an appeal for help. (And several thousand more in the days that follow.) Increasingly, unions around the world turn to LabourStart to run their campaigns on a global scale -- resulting in many examples of workers being re-hired, agreements reached to end strikes, workers being released from jail, and so on. Many of these victories have been documented online on the LabourStart website.

In addition to sending off protest messages, LabourStart's supporters have played an invaluable role in raising urgently needed funds -- for unions seeking to rebuild in Indonesia following the 2005 tsunami, or Lebanese teachers' unions during the 2006 Israeli invasion of their country.

21 May 2007

For the excellent work that he does highlighting the abuse of workers and labour standards around the globe and by offering a quick and easy way for people to get involved and support these very worthwhile casues.

Nominated by ian mcardle, 21 May 2007

It provides information from around the globe about trade union struggles -- disputes and crises that are often not covered by the mainstream press -- and its appeals for help and solidarity have helped bring about real change in people's lives.

Nominated by Josh Robinson, 21 May 2007

ETHICS!No more needs to be said.

Nominated by Ron Maracle, 21 May 2007

LabourStart connnects tens, probably hundreds of thousands of trade unionists around the world on a daily basis as its network of 400 'correspondents' around the world add stories to the main site. News is shared, but more importantly the site serves to organize thousands of workers worldwide is support of trade unionists in need of direct action/solidarity.

Nominated by Derek Blackadder, 21 May 2007

Because of its unique role in combining worldwide trade union and labour news with campaigning for trade union rights.

Nominated by Paul Hardy, 21 May 2007

For the clarity,accessability, relevance and reliability of its content. For filling a gap in the information network by pulling together, from a huge range of diverse sources, vital information on the position of trade unions throughout the world.

Nominated by Nick Sigler, 21 May 2007

labourStart reminds us that others around the world are not so fortunate and need our support. The informative website and the weekly mailings keeps busy and comfortable professionals like me on our toes, telling us the grim details workers around the world, along with ways for us to take action to support them.

It is our moral imperative to support the causes promoted by LabourStart

Nominated by paul sander, 21 May 2007

Astonishingly committed and energetic labour rights campaigning website, run by volunteers, with an amazing record of success in organising email campaigns in defence of unionists persecuted and abused worldwide. An essential step in the evolution of the union movement into a relevant force in a globalised world.

Nominated by Gavin McGregor, 21 May 2007

Labourstart's online campaigns have made the most oppressive employers rethink their employment policies, securing significant gains for workers. It informs those facing abuse and embarrasses those responsible for the abuse.

21 May 2007

Because the format is easy to navigate, because there is no other way of bringing the plight of worker activists to those of us who have at least a few more rights. Within hours or days they have or send info alerts and click-links so that fellow activists (who are busy working) can help support campaigns for justice. I believe this kind of difference can and does make a significant difference for the pursuit of global rights.

Nominated by Lucy Neville, 21 May 2007

They allow everyone in the world to find out about what abuse workers are suffering.

Nominated by Fazia Hussain, 21 May 2007

For reasons too numerous to mention. But if LabourStart wins, I will shove my mouse up my left nostril and give NS rights to the image.

Nominated by Jason Thomas, 21 May 2007

They are doing important lobbying work for the underprivileged especially in the third world.

Nominated by Mick Adams, 21 May 2007

For keeping people up to date with the terrible events that occur to workers and trade unionists around the world

Nominated by Tim Poil, 21 May 2007

I believe that Labourstart wins the Advocacy Award because it educates people across the globe - in 18 languages! - about the struggles of working people. It also connects all of us and helps us support each other through education and online campaigns in addition to fantastic resources and links with video, an online bookstore, and radio.

Labourstart's information and online campaigns reveal human rights violations against our most isolated and helpless brothers and sisters. Without Labourstart, most of these atrocities would go completely unnoticed - and still do! - by mainstream media and the general public. The online campaigns have provided the means for people across the globe to call bad employers to account, to assert their collective power in the face of global corporatization, and to make a positive difference in someone else's life.

Labourstart is my homepage. If it was the homepage of my neighbours, co-workers, and politicians, the world would be a better place to live in for all of us.

Nominated by Kristy Davidson, 21 May 2007

Keeps Union members up-to-date on issues happening globally, not just within the United States.

Nominated by Shirley Dickes, 21 May 2007

Many a livelihood and even lives have been saved by the co-ordination of campaigns through this site. It equips working people with the knowledge and tools to help working people all over the world.

Nominated by S Mckie, 21 May 2007

Defending labour and human rights across the world, in a participative way

Nominated by Mick Carpenter, 21 May 2007

LabourStart is my up to the minute connection with trade union issues across the globe. It is the easiest and quickest method of supporting the global trade union movement. Labourstart's efforts have real and measurable impact and very directly improve working conditions, save lives and build support for trade unionism.

Labourstarts research is impeccable, its information reliable. It is a tool I could not live without in the context of my work on behalf of human rights.

Nominated by Kieran Clifford, 21 May 2007

Labourstart is an excellent means of contacting thousands of unionists, not only to inform them of international malpractice, but of giving them a means to help use mass influence with a minimum of difficulty.

Nominated by Simon Saunders, 21 May 2007

Makes an incredible contribution to the labor movement internationally

Nominated by Robin Alexander, 21 May 2007

terrific online campaigns and presence

Nominated by Emily Doherty, 21 May 2007

Labourstart plays an invaluable role in highlighting some of the worst abuses of governments and employers against trade unionists and their members. However it does not stop at simply providing information but uses the internet to mount international solidarity campaigns.

Nominated by Fred Cattle, 21 May 2007

Labourstart draw attention of the world, through its website and mailing list, to the plight of individual workers who suffered at the hands of their bosses or governments. By organising petitions, it provided moral support, sometimes the only support, to these helpless individuals.

Nominated by Stephen Wong, 21 May 2007

Labourstart should win because without the existence of this organisation I, and I'm sure may thousands of others, would be ebtirely ignorant of some of the desperate abuses of workers going on around the world.

Labourstart's campaigns have been able to coordinate pressure on companies and governments to provide justice for victims of some terrible human rights abuses.

I whole-heartedly endorse this site, there is nothing militant about the site and it actually makes a tangible difference rather than just being a collection of bleeding hearts.

21 May 2007

Eric Lee has been an integral part of the progressive wing of trade unionism for many decades. His lifetime commitment to truth and justice (not the American way any more, Superman) is legendary among activists. His work with LabourStart makes this website the most important source of information for a great many people who are, like Eric Lee, dedicated to democratic representation, freedom, and human rights. So impressive is his life's work that his current position at LabourStart was funded by the British labour movement. Yet LabourStart retains its political and journalistic independence, making it all the more valuable as a resource for the rest of us.

Nominated by Brian Mitchell, 21 May 2007

The great effort to bring together in a very readable format information from many organisations from all over the world deserves a reward. Collecting the information may be a major task, but verifying it and than make the information accessible creates very valuable information. Information with a perspective to act upon it.

LabourStart is a leverage in processes of change in society. It makes that in the division of power in our societies the human factor gets a louder voice.

Nominated by Anneke van Luijken, 21 May 2007

Labourstart keeps workers in touch, bridges the geographical gap and allows us to match employers who deal on a global level

Nominated by Paula Reid, 21 May 2007

One of my great concerns would be human rights. LabourStart keeps me informed of the various human rights violations on union members around the world. Sadly the violations, which include murder, are rampant.

Nominated by Max Obuszewski, 21 May 2007

The oppressed laborers of the world have few voices in the media. Most often their plight goes unnoticed. Labour Start remedies this condition by informing its readers and and providing a means to speak up in defense of the oppressed and telling the management that they are being watched by the world.

Nominated by Richard Crerie, 21 May 2007

To promote internet for social change.

Nominated by Efraim Davidi, 21 May 2007

Eric Lee provides concrete information regarding abuses/injustices workers experience at the hands of both government and employers. He offers an opportunity to voice one's protest and see concrete results of many voices speaking together.

Nominated by Vicky Dalton, 21 May 2007

This simple daily e-mail website has kept me informed of topics that large corporations and governments want to disappear. Topics of murder, assualt, and basic injustice against people standing up for their rights. The petition site has caused positive change in the world, by sending thousands of letters on behalf of the oppresed, and made the oppresors take notice and change their actions.

Nominated by Roberto de Moraes, 21 May 2007

They highlight the positive impact of new media technology on public life include the category of "Advocacy". LabourStart was a finalist back in 1999.

Nominated by HeeKyoung Chun, 21 May 2007

It brings workers' struggles to your attention and lets you do something about them.

Nominated by Phil Wharton, 21 May 2007

This website is invaluable to any dedicated trade unionist. It provides information on a multitude of issues and campaigns across the world. It realy deserves to win this category.

Nominated by Catherine Myles, 21 May 2007

Because it is the best.

Nominated by Sandra T. Thompson, 21 May 2007

because it's the best independent working-class news medium out there, none better.

Nominated by B. Ross Ashley, 21 May 2007

It is unique to have built up this kind of network and having run the web site for so many years (since 1998). The news are in several languages, the campaigns as well, weekly newsletters to more than 50.000 people. Many of the e-mail campaigns have been successful, and have contributed to a strong focus on human rights all over the world.

Nominated by Espen Løken, 21 May 2007

Reaches 10s of thousands of people per year in several different languages. Its advocacy campaigns are suggested by trade unions themselves and have had a great deal of success.

Nominated by Roy Nitzberg, 21 May 2007

LabourStart action campaigns get results.

Nominated by Terminal Beach, 21 May 2007

It is the most democratic, consistent and timely news about labor events and action in the world.

Nominated by Charles Faulkner, 21 May 2007

Solidarity forever!

Nominated by Hannu Laakso, 21 May 2007

This orginisation is well known in International Labour Orginisations for its comprehensive and in depth reports.Eric Lee is at the forefront when injustices and terrorist tactics are used to prevent human rights and and freedom to join unions or have free speech.Labour Start has petitione many suppresive Governments on behalf of the unfortunate men and women who have been murdered and imprisonned for speaking when others remained silent,so without any hesitation I nominate Labour Start and Eric Lee.

Nominated by James Mc Auley, 21 May 2007

The site links up tradeunionists around the globe.

Nominated by Göran Johansson, 21 May 2007

This site deserves attention since it's at the same time an easy way of showing ones opinion, help others with the same opinion but also a way of getting better informed about what's going on in the rest of the world. The more you read, the more you realize that we share the same problem. The lack of economic and social democracy.

Nominated by Sofie Nohrstedt, 21 May 2007

Tireless and effective co-ordinatinon of international campaigns around social justice and industrail issues

Nominated by Andrew Blanckensee, 21 May 2007

Because they are life savers

Nominated by Phyl Scorfield, 21 May 2007

LabourStart has successfully influenced a wide variety of corporations all across the world to adopt more just business practices with employees and has had considerable sucess.

Nominated by Andrew MacIsaac, 21 May 2007

Eric Lee is making a positive difference in the lives of working people around the world.

Nominated by John Mountain, 21 May 2007

LabourStart helps unite trade union members and workers' rights campaigners around the globe by collating information about their campaigns for justice. The regular email newsletter and online forms are used to highlight campaigns against abuses of workers' rights, and create an extremely easy, effective, and successful way for readers to send messages of protest to the relevant authorities.

These campaigns help foster unity and understanding between trade unionists in countries around the world, and in many cases have helped to get workers, who have been treated unjustly, released from prison or reinstated to their jobs.

Nominated by Elwyn Morgan, 21 May 2007

It is utterly unique, committed and, perhaps, most importantly it is from a perspective ignored in the mainstream media: the point of view of Labour.

Nominated by Mark Donoghue, 21 May 2007

Because it is the most effective example of grassroots campaigning and information from the day Indymedia saw the light.

Nominated by Stefano Barale, 21 May 2007

The Labour start website and email alerts are an economic and effective method of alerting and mobilising solidarity across the globe. In relation to my own work, Labour Start can help raise awareness of illegally detained tradu unionists and teachers, and lobby for their release. In advocacy terms, the website and associated technologies reach a wide and potentially influential audience.

Nominated by Ian Martin, 21 May 2007

labour start provides up to date info to trade unionists on a weekly basis which enables them to participate in world-wide campaigns against bad employers and in defence of workers rights. It enables UK trade unionists to see that they are not alone in the daily struggles that workers have to contend with.

Nominated by Paul Staddon, 21 May 2007

In a time of global assaults on workers' rights and organisations, such a website is important for solidarity building.

Nominated by Kevin Partridge, 21 May 2007

Labourstart has led governments (as well as corporations) to change policies and provide rights to workers who have been abused or injured (or killed)! Officials have been embarassed when they have found out that the world is watching them.

Nominated by Larry Carney, 21 May 2007

The website offers labour news and views to labour activists around the world, but is not controlled or influenced and has limited advertising.

LabourStart runs online campaigns, which has contributed to the success of strikes, helped get trade unionists out of illegal imprisonment and aided in the victory of social justice causes around the world.

For example, LabourStart had been involved in online campaigning for several years but moved up a gear with the launch in July 2002 of the ActNOW campaigning system. Tens of thousands of trade unionists have participated in its various online campaigns and more than 31,480 are currently subscribed to its mailing list. They receive weekly mailings, usually on Thursdays.

LabourStart provides links with their site, including a headline service of labour news by country.

LabourStart also offers information on purchasing union made apparel, books and magazines. It conducts a 'Labour Website of the Year' contest. LabourStart also has a 'Radio LabourStart' podcasting service and a 'LabourStart TV' video service.

All of this is provided in the cause of labour rights and social solidarity around the world.

Nominated by Dean Shewring, 21 May 2007

The nominated site has helped provide justice to those who need it most, the injured, harassed, beaten and starving. Their efforts bring Global recognition to the forefront for all to see what is happening to workers who either are, or are trying to organize unions for unacceptable behaviour from heavy handed industrialists.

Nominated by Scott Montani, 21 May 2007

Because they use the Internet for something positive, instead of spreading loads of porn. They provide help and international solidarity through simple means.

Nominated by Joakim Lønning Bjørnestad, 21 May 2007

It is the most worthwhile campaigning organisation I know, dealing with issues of the utmost importance for working people. It offers the opportunity to influence and make change and alert bad employers and politicians that the world is aware of their wrongdoings.

Nominated by Paul Holleran, 21 May 2007

For organizing important campaigns for labour activists around the world.

Nominated by Rick McConnell, 21 May 2007

If it were not for this website thousands if not millions of people would not be aware of problems faced by trade union members all over the world. The trade unions/governments would not be bombarded with emails from those people and wouldn't realise how much support their members have from people like me. I'm sure it helps those people to know they have support and know they are not alone!

Nominated by Angela Moore, 21 May 2007

Labourstart is a great resource.

I've never met Eric but he does a great job of getting out relevant punchy information and providing quick ways for people to take action by sending e-mails etc.

And when I've sent him individual e-mails he's always replied very promptly.

Nominated by Brid Fitzpatrick, 21 May 2007

They initiate campaigns in response to human rights violations that often get missed by larger advocacy groups like Amnesty International.

Nominated by Daniel Johnson, 21 May 2007

LabourStart has enabled unions to stay up to date with not only their own union's news but also the the news of their country's unions and of unions and labour organizations around the world. It has enhanced communication and solidarity within the international labour movement and incessantly promotes ways of using the Internet and the latest computer technology for sharing news and information among workers and labour organizations.

Nominated by Doris Lee, 21 May 2007

Labour Start is a great source of information which would not be picked up by the main stream media and utilises moderen communication systems

to organise effective global solidarity among tradeunions and hyman rights organisations globally.

Nominated by AnneSpeed, 21 May 2007

the work labourstart has done has had tangible results in the lives of some of the most oppressed and marginalised workers, it allows trade unionists from around the world to support each other in the struggle for justice.

Nominated by maggie may, 21 May 2007

This is a wonderful organization who gives the little guy (like me) the opportunity to send a message to companies who are trying to punish or break a union.

Nominated by Laura Herndon, 21 May 2007

Labourstart effects real change in the world of oppressed workers worldwide. Labourstart educates, agitates, and gets positive results and brings about a true solidarity among nations and its "real" salt of the earth people who struggle daily.

Nominated by Ron Vengci, 21 May 2007

has mobilized people to use the internet to pressure corporations and governments to treat workers fairly

Nominated by Diana van Eyk, 21 May 2007

As above.

Nominated by Richard Young, 21 May 2007

For some people this is a life line to publicity in the English speaking media world. For any organisation or union to gain publicity who are from Latin America or the third world it must be published in English before anyone takes any notice of it. Labour start are very good at publicing issues including murders and sackings carried out from Latin America to the Philapines

Nominated by Andy Kilmartin, 21 May 2007

Labour Start is an organization that successfully petitions governments to change the way the labour force are treated and paid.

They watch various countries to ensure that labourers are treated fairly and with respect.

The organization campaigns for better working conditions and wages. It is an integral part of a world wide organization that ensures that governments and businesses govern themeselves in a respectful manner.

Nominated by Tim Rose, 21 May 2007

They work to make sure that people are treated fairly. They let us know when there has been injustice somewhere in the world. They enable people to easily contact companies or governments to let them know we agree/disagree with their treatment of workers.

Nominated by Ida Rukavina, 21 May 2007

Labour Start keeps people informed about injustices around the world that would otherwise be unknown. It helps let companies know that they are not safe just because they operate in third world countries and/or there is very little coverage of these issues in the mainstream press.

Nominated by Murray Martin, 21 May 2007

By mobilizing workers around the world to join in an email campaign against murder or intimidation of union leaders, Mr. Lee does a service to all workers who are subject to the will of the powerful.

Nominated by Dr. B. Dirnbach, 21 May 2007

Two systemic abuses lie at the core of humanity's global predicament: the degradation of nature and the degradation of human beings. LabourStart is especially effective at bringing attention to the latter. We are all workers in one way or another, and we all depend on other workers to provide the things that we use in daily life to survive. This is especially true in societies where such things as New Media Awards even exist (i.e. industrial capitalist ones). LabourStart helps connect the dots among all of us, as workers and as consumers. Making these connections is a vital first step in bringing about change.

Nominated by Laura Earles, 21 May 2007

labour start has a wonderful record of success through their organized advocacy to have corporations settle with unions on civil rights issues.

Nominated by James C Keylock, 21 May 2007

Because they defend workers all over the world

Nominated by Emanuela Bedendo, 21 May 2007

The work they do promotes freedom of associationthe extension of the labor movement and the safety of workers throughout the world.

Nominated by Jerry Kearns, 21 May 2007

For the vital service of putting pressure on multinational companies who abuse workers' rights and for working to create global solidarity against corporate exploitation.

Nominated by Alex Clayton, 21 May 2007

Labourstart provides up-to-date information on international labor activities and opportunities for advocacy on behalf of labour around the planet.

Nominated by Corey E. Olsen, 21 May 2007

Laborstart is really helping making bring the global labor movement together. I am in the USA, and it is hard to get news about labor struggles in the rest of the world. Not only does laborstart provide timely, accurate news that you can't find elsewhere, it also provides a vehicle for activism and a way for unionists all over the world to support each other. It is now in 5 languages or more. I think it is just incredible!

Nominated by Joshua Sperry, 21 May 2007

In many states the life and work of unions is in danger. Therefore this world-wide communication is needed for justice and safety.

Nominated by Dorothee Kramer, 21 May 2007

The website is incredible--the amount of information that one can find daily on trade union protests, activities, negotiations, and economic policy around the world is nothing short of staggering. As a news medium alone they would deserve the highest regard in my estimation--one learns often much more about the world reading LabourStart daily than, say, the New York Times or listening to the BBC. In addition, the website also coordinates targeted email protests that have proven highly effective. I first learned of LabourStart through a UNITE-HERE researcher while doing union organizing in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, and have found the website invaluable. Please nominate LabourStart for this prestigious award!

Nominated by Sumanth Gopinath, 21 May 2007

As capital becomes more and more globalised, so international solidarity amongst workers becomes more and more important. This website and list serv is an excellent tool for worker's solidarity and although for physical reasons I cannot take part in marches any more I can take part in the online campaigns. The messages it suggest are always excellently worded and polite, no matter what the provocation. Experience with the website has shown that once employers and/or authorities realise there is international interest in a labour issue, they take notice. I am sure that this campaign website has helped to save workers lives and free acitivists from prison.

Nominated by Janneke Weidema, 21 May 2007

LabourStart has been involved in online campaigning for several years but moved up a gear with the launch in July 2002 of the ActNOW campaigning system. Tens of thousands of trade unionists have participated in its various online campaigns and more than 31,480 are currently subscribed to its mailing list. They receive weekly mailings, usually on Thursdays.

Its founding editor is Eric Lee. Here are full contact details -- including email addresses, PGP public key, Instant Messaging for all the major services, and, yes, even a phone number.

LabourStart grew out of the website created in 1996 to accompany the publication of Lee's book, The Labour Movement and the Internet: The New Internationalism. By late 1997, it was running daily labour news from South Korea; in March 1998 that was expanded to included labour news from around the world, and the site was renamed LabourStart. From July 1998 until December 2002, LabourStart was a project of Labour and Society International (LSI).

Nominated by JMeltok, 21 May 2007

Labourstart has waged many successful campaigns to get unions (its members and supporters) fair wages, working conditions, and recompensations.

Nominated by Kim Fortin, 21 May 2007

LabourStart has been a true trailblazer both for the labor movement and the Internet community. It personifies the best of the Internet -- as a vehicle for people to make a difference. LabourStart has educated millions of people, helped promote worker campaigns and free union leaders from jail.

Nominated by Barb Kucera, 21 May 2007

has provided leadership in the area of electronic communications for the labour movement. giving working people across the globe a voice. what technology should provide.. a voice..

Nominated by gord lechner, 21 May 2007

This organization does excellent media advocacy on behalf of a wide breadth of workers across the world.

Nominated by Barbara Larcom, 21 May 2007

LabourStart provides opportunities for the world community to take direct action to assit and actually save the lives of workers. Urgent appeals are timely and allowing one to become involved and change, for the better, the way corporations and governments treat those whose only crime is trying to earn a living in a just and healthy enviornment.

Nominated by R Scott, 21 May 2007

As above

Nominated by Ailleen Runstedler, 21 May 2007

Labourstart is changing our society in a positive direction making rooms where everybody is able to participate directely and make a difference by submitting online campaigns. There are tenthousands of members from all over the world connected through Labourstart in this belief that the campaigns and their voices does help. All kinds of labour-conflicts are in focus. Labourstart creates support-campaigns where there does not seem to be any agreements or solutions left. Putting a worldwide public focus on local conflicts gives hope to the oppressed and makes solidarity.

Nominated by mona klubben, 21 May 2007

This site campaigns tirelessly on behalf of workers' rights in places that have no hesitancy in using crudely violent means to attempt to suppress the struggle for dignity and livelihood. And it not only highlights those workers' struggles (often focusing individual campaigners)it also gets results. It can literally make a difference between life and death - check the results.

Nominated by Colin Nolan, 21 May 2007

Labourstart helps union campaigns all over the world by spreading thw ord on their website and threw their e-mail list. They provide ways for unionists to express support for other unions causes through e-mail campaigns and other strategies.

Nominated by Tristan Bunner, 21 May 2007

Their work is essential. They make known atrocities taking place affecting working people all over the world, and organise protest and support.

21 May 2007

because of the help and support they give to union members in struggle

Nominated by robert faraday, 21 May 2007

LabourStart’s emails shine an essential spotlight on the abuse of workers which may otherwise be ignored. It gives these workers a voice, a voice which becomes applified when others around the world join in to express their concerns.

The information that LabourStart supplies is clear and concise. The website is clearly laid out and provides easy access to information. The email news alerts provide a means of prompt action.

Nominated by Tara Carey, 21 May 2007

This organisation deserves to win as it puts people in touch with others in this world that care for humanity & justice

Nominated by Paul Dyer, 21 May 2007

This is a site that encourages international unity. Puts international pressure on international multinationals when their companies do the wrong thing, quite often in third world countries. This encourages solidarity with unionist’s world wide.

Nominated by Paul Swann, 21 May 2007

Because of the role they play in informing of important issues to workers internaitonally in efforts to gain international solidarity.

Nominated by Rosylin Dean, 21 May 2007

Because it's the most elaborate website that offers trade union news from around the world, supports trade union campaigns worldwide and creates a forum for trade unionists from all over the world to get in touch with each other.

Nominated by Bas de Ruiter, 21 May 2007

LabourStart is an online service that serves the trade union movement around the world. They collect information, assist unions in their campaigns, and allow the public to take action via the ActNOW system.

Nominated by Hannah Freed, 21 May 2007

The site provides unrivaled worldwide coverage of labour news and runs terrific campaigns to support workers in struggle.

Nominated by Roger Darlington, 21 May 2007

Coordinates international email campaigns for workers' rights that consistently achieve victories for the workers involved. Provides up to the minute labour news around the world in many languages.

Nominated by Malcolm Deans, 21 May 2007

LabourStart is highly organised, current, relevant, factual and effective in its campaigns to protect the rights of workers all over the world. It has a large support base, and a very good track record for making a positive difference, through mass electronic activism.

Nominated by Nicola Easthope, 21 May 2007

LabourStart has had many successes with their email campaigns and as a website and organisation has made a positive difference to work conditions of underrepresented workers.

Nominated by Ryan Kennedy, 21 May 2007

It highlightens the sad reailty that people will exploit others to almost any degree for money.

Nominated by Paul Greenwood, 21 May 2007

this organization provides information and advocacy for the cause of workers' rights.

Nominated by kevin mcnamara, 21 May 2007

Easy access. Focus on the workers situation and labour-relevant information. Solidarity in a global labour market.

Nominated by Ole Landsem, 21 May 2007

Eric and his newsletter keeps us informed and provides simple methods of gaining success's. We have too few.

Nominated by John Little, 21 May 2007

This organisation helps to defend human rights in places around the world where people are being exploited. Because it is on the internet, it gives opportunity for people here in Australia to 'get involved' in issues far away from us.

Nominated by Kathryn van Langenberg, 21 May 2007

LabourStart should win the award as reward and recognition for a job well done.

Nominated by MARK STUBBS, 21 May 2007

The organisation should win the award because they a important job to organise people around the world för solidarity, I got a valid information. And i know that companys, states are aware ,t we are doing for instanse Firestone. When I wroe a protestletter they send a anwer to me.

The site is a international rganiser for tradeunionists all over the world

Nominated by Roger Jönsson, 21 May 2007

The Trade Union movement has been very slow to pick up new technology to utilise it in the struggle for worker's rights. This site is showing the way forward.

Nominated by Shane Montague-Gallagher, 21 May 2007

There is simply no other better source for international news, much less labour news specifically. Given that most newspapers have business sections, but few people own a business, and few newspapers actually have labour sections but the majority of the worlds population works for a wage of some sort, this is significant.

Labourstart is internationally comprehensive, updated seemingly ceaselessly, and gives a broad variety of perspectives on issues confronting workers and labour across the globe.

Nominated by Wesley Morgan, 21 May 2007

For bringing about change and improving the lives of many thousands of low-paid and exploited people

Nominated by Kyle Webster, 21 May 2007

I feel that they should win the award because if their global reach in union activisim and comunication.

Nominated by Jim Ziolkowski, 21 May 2007

Labourstart is the premere "advocacy" group. Everywhere there is issue confronting labor anywhere in the world--Labourstart consistently issues advocacy's for working folks.

Nominated by Ronald Krinock, 21 May 2007

Because of their on-the-ball global coverage and ability to link TUists worldwide with each other, turning rhetoric into action

Nominated by Caroline O'Reilly, 21 May 2007

In a time-poor world and a general media world that hardly highlights union issues, this organisation brings the global unionised world to my desk. Like Amnesty I can support fellow unionists through emails, or I can learn of victories or other websites and sources of information. It's brilliant.

Nominated by Melanie Bayley, 21 May 2007

Labourstart reports on human rights abuses relating to industrial action the world over. Nowhere else do you receive such information in such a timely matter. Not only does it report but it spearheads campaigns and gives it readers the opportunity to participate in these campaigns - if only to show support to workers who are literally dying to gain the basic rights we in Australia take for granted.

Nominated by DENISE WASLEY, 21 May 2007

Provides a valuable service to webusers by collating employment relations news from around the world. Labourstart is to be congratulated for drawing attention to the abuse of workers' rights and its efforts at rectifying unethical employer behaviour through on-line advocacy.

Nominated by Andreas Pekarek, 21 May 2007

beacause of the job they does for struglers around the world

Nominated by annar bakken, 21 May 2007

LabourStart has been involved in online campaigning for several years but moved up a gear with the launch in July 2002 of the ActNOW campaigning system. Tens of thousands of trade unionists have participated in its various online campaigns and more than 31,480 are currently subscribed to its mailing list

Nominated by Jørn H Thowsen, 21 May 2007

Great site and I feel connected with people internationally by being both informed and being able to register my objection to practices that are questionable at least if not, in most cases, actually wrong. Also gives me a sense that I am in some way supporting people in developing countries in ways other than just consumer choices.

Nominated by Shirley Young, 21 May 2007

The world is smaller these days and it is easy to be unaware of the struggles that workers face. By helping to fight human rights violations and union busting this website helps to promote the fair treatment of workers everywhere.

Nominated by Lisa Wilkinson, 21 May 2007

De har støttet og løst problemer for vanlige arbeidsfolk over hele verden siden oppstarten. Tusener av mennesker står i takknemmelighetsgjeld til denne organisasjonen.

Nominated by Knut Eide, 21 May 2007

They should win because this award is for excellence initiative and innovation in providing the world with events and issues.

Nominated by Trisha Harrison-HUnt, 21 May 2007

Organizes successful international campaigns to advocate for fair treatment of workers, particularly workers whose basic rights are ignored or who face prison, torture and death simply for exercising their rights.

Nominated by Ron Woods, 21 May 2007

This site performs an essential service, one the media has sadly abdicated.

Nominated by Bruce Duncan, 21 May 2007

LabourStart moves from the individual to the collective. In today's age where consumerism and individualism is high it is important to have websites that firstly show us how lucky we are and secondly it moves people to collective action. I believe the global view that LabourStart provides gives people a better understanding of the world they live in and gives workers around the world hope that they can work together or a better way.

Nominated by Michelle Rae, 21 May 2007

This campaign site continues to raise the raise the awareness amongst countries of wealth and continues to bring the worlds working poor into everyones memories. The major countries are not excluded and all avenues of workers rights are raised, from sackings, to government sanctioned killings. Without this site the worlds workers would be left alone!

Nominated by Jane Lennis, 21 May 2007

Effective, accurate, international perspective on labour rights. Clear focus and pragmatic objective to produce results to those who need it most.

Nominated by Peter Solonysznyj, 21 May 2007

LabourStart primarily supports campaigns in part of the world where it is very dangerous to your health to be a Union Member.

Nominated by John McCormack, 21 May 2007

allows me to participate in world-wide activities from my computer

Nominated by George X Tomaszewski, 21 May 2007

World advocacy is a good thing and thats what labourstart is all about.

Next to Amenesty International there the best!

Nominated by mark, 21 May 2007

this organisation brings globalization to union views and the strife of unions worldwide.

Nominated by Doug McLean, 21 May 2007

Runs a site and mailcampagn in support of unions around the world figting for there leagal rights.

Nominated by Robin Hørling, 21 May 2007

important source for labournews and labour campaigns worlwide

Nominated by Hae-Lin Choi, 21 May 2007

Labourstart has been highly effective in securing fair outcomes for working people and their families in many nations including developing nations that are lacking in many fundamentl human rights.

Nominated by Mathew Woolley, 22 May 2007

In this Capatalist, globalised world, Workers are increasingly being unfairly trated, so LabourStart is able to unite us all electronicaly to have a voice in support of our fellow Unionists and let Corporations know that we are watching their actions. Without LabourStart, many of us would not have that knowledge or voice, so it is an essential service.

Nominated by Sheryl Vine, 22 May 2007

He is responsible for a great wesite that easily allows you to have your say on important issues.

It is a website that makes a diference.

Nominated by Nicole Carter, 22 May 2007

They should win this award because they do good work in helping that human rights are respected and that more justice is established.

Nominated by Irene Leger, 22 May 2007

A higly effective way to bring about positive outcomes and justice for ordinary decent working people.

Nominated by Sharon Rea, 22 May 2007

I am an Australian citizen and unionist concerned to support fellow workers and their families around the world, as they confront very difficult and frequently dangerous employment and union situations. I am also very busy. Labour Start both keeps me in touch with important employment and human rights issues and provides a simple, but careful and accurate way for me to lend my support to others.

Nominated by Judith Elton, 22 May 2007

I think they do a great job of bringing the unionsits of the world together and supporting them through global online protests and action! Also putting a spotlight on bad labour practices of the big business and governements.

Nominated by Eleisha Mullane, 22 May 2007

It is easy to use, and it is a great summary of current affairs involving labour organisations around the world.

It highlights injustice and seeks to get people to act to create a better world.

Nominated by Jeff Francis, 22 May 2007

The category is "advocacy" and that is precisely what this site does. It is an internationally accessible resource enabling much higher visibility for campaigns, particularly those in developing countries which do not have the media profile of equivalent organisations in the western world. LabourStart is a success. Many campaigns hosted on the site have been successful. It is a 21st century enabler of solidarity.

Nominated by John Lamp, 22 May 2007

fabulous and informative

Nominated by April Smith, 22 May 2007

Labourstart IS where trade unionists around the world - including thousands in australia - start their day!

It co-ordinates many worthwhile and successful cfampaigns which give a voice to the otherwise voiceless.

ken

Nominated by Ken McAlpine, 22 May 2007

Labourstart is an indispensible informational tool for the labour movement, and has real successes through email alerts and online campaigning.

Nominated by Jasper Goss, 22 May 2007

Labourstart is well deserving of the award in the category of "Advocacy" because of their unceasing and organised communication efforts to advocate the plight of workers around the world. Whether workers are being treated unfairly in the UK, Australia, Argentina or the Philippines, Labourstart provides information and a service to send an email in support. This support might be direct encouragement to those involved in the dispute, or of condemnation to the employer group.

Labourstart carefully investigates issues before asking for international support, and does not barrage their mailing list with incessent calls for action - just a regular weekly update of major issues of concern. Without them I would not even be aware of many of these issues, let alone be able to take action.

I appreciate their diligence and support of workers in more precarious working environments than most of us encounter in the western world.

Cathryn McCormack

Armidale, Australia

Nominated by Cathryn McCormack, 22 May 2007

Because of the breadth and tenacity of their work. The focus of the efforts is truly global, no struggle is deemed to 'unimportant' to focus on. LabourStart has also compiled an impressive list of successes, so they aren't just a waste of time!

Nominated by Simon Barker, 22 May 2007

The research is excellent and accurate. Labour Start campaigns are about justice, a fair society and rights at work. Many of the campaigns are about issues in the third world that do not receive attention from the mainstream media. If not for Labour Start I would not even be aware of these issues.

Nominated by Chris Clarke, 22 May 2007

excellent use of current technology for human rights issues. can encourage union members to provide email support to members in need, and to lobby governments and/or employers to treat workers fairly and humanely.

Nominated by angela snow, 22 May 2007

Without being beholden to any particular national or international union organisation, LabourStart builds solidarity between workers across the globe. Some of the recent campaigns have gathered support for striking workers in Mexico, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, Costa Rica ... And through LabourStart, ordinary workers all over the world can hear directly from our brothers and sisters what is happening in far flung countries, and offer direct, practical support for their campaigns. These campaigns have had real and measurable impact, with employers realising that "the whole world is watching" when they behave badly. The outcomes have been: changed employer behaviour, including the settlement of some long-running bitter industrial disputes; government attention to murders, atrocities and other illegal behaviour by some employers; financial support for striking workers, especially in the third world; vastly increased awareness around the world about what is happening to workers in other countries; and meaningful solidarity from worker to worker across national and organisational boundaries. LabourStart uses simple tools to achieve connections that would otherwise simply not be made.

Nominated by Linda Gale, 22 May 2007

This website plays a leading role in pursiuing international trade union/human rights, with a number of successes attesting to its effectiveness.

Nominated by Michael Schembri, 22 May 2007

This group really makes a difference to the lives of people in developing countries, and also in developed countries where people experience injustice in the workforce. Issues range from life and death to unfair business practices that fly against human rights.

Nominated by Ruth Thompson, 22 May 2007

The rise of the free market has caused global worker exploitation and concomitant corporate corruption. LabourStart alerts a global audience and offers peaceful attempts at solutions.

Nominated by Ron Maskell, 22 May 2007

labourstart should win the award as their regular email updates on the various struggles faced around the world mean that while people on the other side of the world can't actively be involved, through this website they can do their bit. this is a remarkable site that deserves all the credit possible.

Nominated by nico woodward, 22 May 2007

Because LabourStart does a great job in advocating for the rights of workers all over the world.It has organized web campaigns to put pressure in corporations and governments that violate the human rights of workers. Many of the global campaigns were successful in increasing wages, preserving jobs or preventing unemployment, and holding managers accountable to citizens of the country where the violation occurred. In a word, LabourStart allowed thousands of people to participate in the global movement for democracy and justice in the workplace.

Nominated by Eduardo Siqueira, 22 May 2007

Labourstart is one of the most important union websites on the internet. It's global network means that any worker, from any union, from any country, can take part in campaigns and support fellow workers anywhere around the world. As any union member, or worker for that matter, knows, this is a vital tool for building a global community.

Nominated by Steve Smith, 22 May 2007

Labourstart now has a significant email network and keeps us all informed about issues as they arise. We then email relevant authorities asking them for justice and fairness and to make reparation for the injustices that have occurred. This has proven to be highly successful on a number of occasions. The email process is a quick and effective way of thousands of us taking action and making a difference in this world.

Nominated by Sue Thomas, 22 May 2007

Their ability to campaign for justice for workers internationally. To me, this is vitally important. The fight for workers rights (and human rights) has been globalized by the corporations, and thus we have to expand our fight. To this end, LabourStart does a sterling job!

Nominated by Ragubathee Pather, 22 May 2007

Labour Start provides current information to its global audience, highlighting social justice issues to marshal support. Although Labour Start is aligned to the labour movement and the unions, its reporting is fair and relevant.

Nominated by edith mendelle, 22 May 2007

The upside of globalisation is the opportunity for education and involvement of all peoples on our crowded planet, in the issues facing particularly those with lesser power and voice. LabourStart does a magnificent job in this education, advocacy and support role and this should be recognised and applauded.

Nominated by Dave Abbott, 22 May 2007

LabourStart's advocacy has resulted in some marked successes for union struggles around the world. It helps to break down the barriers of language, distance and culture that divide ordinary workers around the world.

Nominated by Maire Leadbeater, 22 May 2007

because of their work to secure a better enviorment and conditions for workers world wide

Nominated by matthew phillips, 22 May 2007

This organisation has contributed greatly to realising a 200 year old dream of the trade union movement. That is, it has provided an opportunity for workers around the globe to act in true international solidarity, and provide support to workers suffering human rights abuses all around the world.

Nominated by Annie Carroll, 22 May 2007

There is not another organisation world wide that serves the workers of the world as well as LabourStart.

Nominated by Neville Arrowsmith, 22 May 2007

For services to international labour,

working class and trade union organisations and individuals and for giving those a voice and support.

Nominated by Darrel Albino, 22 May 2007

Labourstart does more for working people than any governement agency. They should be seen as the worker's equivalent of Amnesty International.

Nominated by Michael O\'Connor, 22 May 2007

This organisation should win the award because too many employees internationally are exploited by their employers and some-one needs to bring this injustice to the attention of the common person, and attempt to rectify that injustice, which is what Labourstart does.

Nominated by Gay Graham, 22 May 2007

helps balance the lack of labour news in corporate owned North American media

Nominated by Mr.J. Hockin, 22 May 2007

Labourstart provides information about labour and other related problems that are not covered by the main stream media. It is interactive providing members with the means to comment on or to protest about these situations.

Nominated by Dorothy Yada, 22 May 2007

Labourstart is pioneering the use of coordinated internet campaigns to focus pubic attention and mobalize the power of unionists to combat repression and violence against working class communities and activists across the globe. We need forms of global communications which strengthen human rights, and Labourstart is leading the way to build the kind of international solidarity which we all need so badly today.

Nominated by Clayton Levine, 22 May 2007

This organization should win the award because of the dedicated way it goes about informing people internationally about what is happenng to workers and their rights, or lack of them, globally. It informs those of us concerned with social justice and human rights internationally about what we can do to help.

Nominated by P.L.Thatcher, 22 May 2007

I nominate labour start because it has allowed me a forum to participate in human rights struggles on an international level. The results of the positive accomplishments because of this site are impressive to anyone wanting to make a difference in this world we live in. Bravo Labourstart!

Nominated by Darren Steinhoff, 22 May 2007

This is one-stop-shop for all labor happenings, and an excellent facilitator for world-wide labour advocacy.

Nominated by Douglas McNeill, 22 May 2007

Awareness of international health and safety issues. Advocates and supports those victimised for standing up for what they believe is right for themselves and others.

Nominated by April Thorpe, 22 May 2007

Labourstart deserves to win for its advocacy of human rights for all workers whose rights are under attack. Labourstart organises global support for the workers and campaigns to have world-wide condemnations of the abuses sent to the relevant employers and/or governmental bodies.

It has been successful in many of these campaigns.

Nominated by Desmond Moore, 22 May 2007

It actually allowed changes in emplorers attitudes to achieve human rights and,as a consequence, given hope to many third world country workers that vital ingredient HOPE.

Nominated by mike Patterson, 22 May 2007

This website connects trade unionists and supporters of social justice with what is happening around the world and ensures that we all know and can act on issues that affect working people and their families.

Nominated by Sheila Dunnachie, 22 May 2007

An exceptional resource for workers rights advocacy worldwide - informing and enabling protests and messages of support.

Nominated by Paul Martin, 22 May 2007

They do good work, much needed work to spread the word around the world, of struggles that we all face collectively as working people.

Nominated by Jeff Hensley, 22 May 2007

LabourStart has enabled many ordinary oppressed workers in Third World countries in particular to put their issue before interested workers around the world, who can then send off emails to governments and companies to let them know that the world is watching and urge resolution of disputes and the upholding of human and workers rights. Some of these disputes have been successful for the workers involved partly due to pressure from email campaigns emanating from LabourStart: A most useful service to humanity and all possible because of the use of the new media. LabourStart would be a very worthy winner.

Nominated by Clinton G M Cook, 22 May 2007

Outstanding work looking after workers in 3rd World or emerging countriesIf you ran a business and some of your employees came to tell you that workers

were being sprayed with a toxic chemical, wouldn\\\'t you listen to them? And if

it turned out to be true, wouldn\\\'t you praise them for reporting the problem?

That\\\'s not what Chiquita, one of the world\\\'s biggest and best known fruit

companies, did. Instead, they have sacked two union members (Alexander Reyes

and Marcos Borge) and ignored their warnings. They\\\'ve refused to negotiate with

the union, which has called for an international campaign of protest

Nominated by Mick, 22 May 2007

Through a worldwide network This organisation provides interested supporters of Workers Rights relevent information enabling World Wide support and solidarity for Workers Rights world wide in this era of Globalisation.

Nominated by Brian T. Manning, 22 May 2007

Outstanding, effective advocacy.

Nominated by Bruce Wheeler, 22 May 2007

Contacts people directly

prompts us to action

and

wins campaigns

Nominated by Pat Bolster, 22 May 2007

they bring issues about worker abuse and worker rights to the attention of all world citizens

Nominated by carol goldstein, 22 May 2007

In scores of cases, calling upon international solidarity, this site has defended rightfully striking workers from illegal adversity, obtained the release of wrongfully imprisonned trade unionists and protested murders of others. The site advocates often flaunted trade union values which are a basic element of our democracy. It deserves to be commended for its organisors dedication, the work of its benevolent contributors and the support of all those who help to promote its values.

Nominated by Andy Funnell, 22 May 2007

Labourstart's work in promoting and advocating on behalf of trade unionists across the world has been inspirational to me, informed me of the personal detail of struggles of ordinary people, and given me the opportunity to advocate on their behalf, through email writing myself.

Nominated by Mark Waters, 22 May 2007

Labor struggles for justice and fairness begin at the worksite and with courageous and motivated workers turned activist because the care about human and civil rights. Labourstart spreads the word about worker movements everywhere and tells people how they can help their sisters and brothers to advance worker rights and protections.

Nominated by JP Jacobson, 22 May 2007

In a world where many workers are not only treated unfairly, but sometimes threatened and even killed, the site provides the 'average' person the opportunity to keep informed and up to date, and more importantly, to really make a difference.

Nominated by Renata Musolino, 22 May 2007

Because it tells the stories the rest of the media misses out on

Nominated by alastair duncan, 22 May 2007

labour start unites people globally, through solidarity campaigns, eg mass emails, for the oppressed peoples of the world, that in the main-stream media would rarely get a mention. There are often very positive results.

Nominated by Shaun Martell, 22 May 2007

Consistently high information content. Sober and effective use of technology. Careful application of the cybercampaigning techniques which it helped to pioneer. Wide range of sources and languages - a good example of networking in action.

Nominated by Ian Graham, 22 May 2007

LABUR START TRIES TO ASSIST AND REPRESENT ALL THE WORKERS OF THE WORLD.

Nominated by Michael, 22 May 2007

They are in tune with what other trade unionists are experiencing in other parts of the world and solicits the solidarity of ALL unionists to combat injustice of workers.

Nominated by Anthony Clarke, 22 May 2007

The information is valuable in our work with our international partners. It keeps us updated and makes it possible for us to direct our international projects, money supplie and other kinds of support in the right direction. It also helps us to participate in the international debate with the organisations we are a member of.

Nominated by karin Torp, 22 May 2007

for advocating the rights of working people internationally

Nominated by Paul Smyth, 22 May 2007

Gathering members of trade unions.

Nominated by Dag Ratama, 22 May 2007

global capitailism ruins lives in its persuit of profit. workers need to fight back and this site represents one way of doing that.

Nominated by Robin Yates, 22 May 2007

The organisation offers the opportunity to make a personal objection to events around the world that do not adhere to the values of the trade union movement in a manner that is simple and effective.

Nominated by Susan Pilott, 22 May 2007

this is the very definition of "media advocacy, using online technology". for over 10 years, this has brought the world to my desktop.

Nominated by Mr Jay Carson, 22 May 2007

In this day and age when profit seems to matter more than humanity Labourstart spreads the word to every corner of the world. This is a powerful weapon against greedy employers on powertrips. I may now help a worker I have never met or heard of before to keep his job (or other rights). This is the easiest way to show solidarity in the modern world!

Nominated by Ann Kristin Kristiansen, 22 May 2007

LaborStart provides a vital connection between union members worldwide and has run numerous successsful campaigns to improve the working lives of those in countries where human rights are not adequately recognised.

The website is always up to date, provides current updates on important issues, and serves as a fantastic lobbying tool.

Nominated by Kristin van Barneveld, 22 May 2007

Labour start is a crucial information tool that I consult daily in my research work

Nominated by Sara Hammerton, 22 May 2007

As it is a Union site it is showing what solidarity can achieve. If all the people that felt that the workers have their rights and should not be exploited gets together then results can be achieved.

Nominated by Bharti, 22 May 2007

Social responsibility is something that those who need it are unable to find time, money or resources to fight for. Individuals such as Eric Lee, and organizations such as Labour Start, ensure that the world can see the travails and atrocities--and respond. Simple, quick, free emails have repeatedly changed laws and lives but without Labour Start/Eric Lee\\\'s guidance, background information, email and website references...the average person blessed with literacy and a computer with internet-capabilities is able to help make change. \\\"You in your small corner, and I in mine.\\\"

Nominated by W Matsubuchi, 22 May 2007

LabourStart focus on injustice and try to do something about it, for instance this:

* Costa Rica: Chiquita sacks workers who reported poisoning

* Chile: The strike is over, but the struggle for justice continues

* Mexico: Murder of Santiago Rafael Cruz - one month into the campaign

Nominated by Katarina Bredberg, 22 May 2007

This organisation should win the award because it is hard working at protecting workers rights against unfair ideologies. LabourStart's web site informs people who care about what is going on around the world with respect to their fellow worker. It brings workers together no matter what colour, race, or religion.

Nominated by Joe Spreitzer, 22 May 2007

Labourstart is the most important source of union news in internet. It provides information from and for union activists and organizers from all over the world in 18 laguages. The crew and users of Labourstart are actively campaigning for human and labour rights in different countries. I think a lot of people are personally greatful to Eric Lee for his work and courage.

Nominated by Maria Kurzina, 22 May 2007

Because they spotlight what is wrong in the World

Nominated by Matthew Hughes, 22 May 2007

excellent reportage

Nominated by judith ackerman, 22 May 2007

LabourStart exists in part to show the way to unions, and many unions have adopted strategies and techniques first employed by LabourStart. Its online campaign system (ActNOW) is the basis for one such system currently used by one of the global union federations. Its mailing lists in various languages now include more than 50,000 names, giving LabourStart the capacity to effect real change: getting imprisoned trade unionists released, forcing employers to re-hire workers who were unjustly sacked, and compelling employers and governments to recognize that workers' rights are human rights -- everywhere.

01 April 2008

Best campaigning for human reights for trade unionist accross the globe. The natioanl press does not cover these issues and human rights of ordinary men and women are by and large ignored when they affect trade unionists. Excellent site.

Submitted by Alexandra McAdam Clark, 21 May 2007

He highlights the positive impact of new media technology on public life.

Submitted by HeeKyoung Chun, 21 May 2007

Give a voice to those who can/may not speak

Submitted by Monica du Plessis, 21 May 2007

Wholeheartedly agree. A step towards some much needed global solidarity.

Submitted by Alex Clayton, 21 May 2007

Let's spur human/worker's rights around the world and against US corporations that destroy our world!

Submitted by enrique machare, 21 May 2007

This is a marvellously well run organisation that works miracel all over the worlds for workers

Submitted by Rosie Scott, 22 May 2007

Amen!

Submitted by W Matsubuchi, 22 May 2007

LabourStart is an organisation that helps mobolize Trade Unionists from all over the world and from all quaters of life.It campaigns for justice for Trade Union activists in parts of the world that being in a Trade Union can get you killed. It works tirelessly to promote decent standards for workers in some of the most deprived parts of the world by galvanising Trade Union members to take an active role in condeming the treatment of these workers and protesting at the brutal violence which is imposed on Trade Unionists in their area's.

Submitted by Philippa Taylor, 22 May 2007

Eric Lee at LabourStart is trying to make a difference to the lives of workers and their families everywhere and we support him,

Submitted by eleanor osborn, 22 May 2007

Labour Start provides vital international updates of unions that are threatened, or are actual victims of violence and persecution, and allows its members to write to the victimizers, showing them the world is watching them, and applying pressure to cease the offending actions.

I tried to nominate them for your Advocacy Award, but was blocked by a message that stated you had already received many nominations and suspected they might be spam.

Labour Start's membership is committed. I suspect the many nominations for them are not spam.

Submitted by Glennn Dansker, 22 May 2007

LabourStart is an exceptional group that promotes workers rights around the world.

Submitted by Michael W. Evans, 22 May 2007

My nomination was also blocked. I support Eric Lee and Labour Start in the work they are doing in the global fight against injustice in the workplace

Submitted by Kay Simmonds Murray, 22 May 2007

The many messages above testify to the very high regard in which this site is held.

Submitted by Dr N THOMPSON, 22 May 2007

Just the most fantastic campaigning website. Solidarity action for the new Millenium. Something which is happening outside of the New Labour / Liberal mainstream. Great stuff

P.S Why is my nomination being blocked? Is my view not valid?

Submitted by Ben Sellers, 22 May 2007

The only world-wide union campaigning site.

Submitted by Cjhris Bartter, 22 May 2007

They are fearless and relentless in making this world a better place to live.

Submitted by Margareta St. Louis, 22 May 2007

For the most part, there is no other source of this international information about the daily struggles of those who survive from their manual labor.

Submitted by Laura Punnett, 22 May 2007

Labour start fills an important void in labour related news. There really is no comprable source for information that hasn't been diluted or slanted or completely ignored by the corporate mainstream media.

Submitted by Della McGaw, 22 May 2007

filling a void on international solidarity much needed in global world

Submitted by f janak, 22 May 2007

LabourStart covers worker campaigns, strikes, murders of labour leaders, and is the conscience which big business lacks. If anyone deserves this award, it is LabourStart.

Submitted by Annelle Leblanc, 22 May 2007

Whaddya mean, I can't nominate LabourStart again? If New Statesman is worried about its bandwidth with everyone emailing their support for Eric Lee, then the IT people should have called Sun for their mobile server. LabourStart is a key part of Class Struggle 2.0; just visit labourstart.org right now, if you don't believe me.

Submitted by Ian Weniger, 23 May 2007

I have been a recipient of Eric Lee's emails for about three years now. As a law lecturer who is passionate about the rights of workers across the globe it provides a means not only to keep informed on labour laws across the globe but a means to offer support to fellow Union members. We, as beneficiaries of good labour laws, can stand in solidarity with our colleagues in other countries in a matter of seconds by sending off an email. Its a fantastic site and deserves both recognition and support.

Submitted by Ursula Ni Chonghoile Ireland, 23 May 2007

They use the internet to reach out to advocates and unionists the world over. They highlight the mistreatment and deaths of unionist in third and second world countries. They shine a light into the darker pockets of the world where a human life is worth less than the machinery they work on.

Submitted by Rachael Ch@pm@n, 23 May 2007

LabourStart organises effective global actions in solidarity with workers around the world, especially for the workers who are the most oppressed in the world. This is reason for an award, I reckon. :)

Submitted by Simon Ashworth Wood, 23 May 2007

This is an amazingly comprehensive site for connecting labour activists and workers wherever they live, struggle, and thrive. With weekly alerts and news of campaigns to better the lives of working people around the globe, Labour Start is a one-stop shop for anyone who wants to stay informed about labour issues. The website is published in numerous languages, easy to navigate, and up to date.

Submitted by Jean Lawrence, 24 May 2007

It does the right thing and it does it brilliantly!

Submitted by elaine moore, 24 May 2007

Labour Start. Brillant at keeping me informed!!

Submitted by Jane Taylor, 24 May 2007

Labour Start speaks for underprivileged people all over the world who would not otherwise have a voice. It does great work.

Submitted by Terri Brown, 27 May 2007

Excellent service. Invaluable portal to the world of Trade Union struggles. Eric Lee is to be commended for his work, and the practical and very real difference it has helped to make to the lives of working people

Submitted by Daithí Mac An Mhaistír, 27 May 2007

LabourStart is an internet technology outfit that have been very helpful in advocating for the rights of workers and the poor in their campaigns and struggles for social justice.

The outfit has come to represent an authoritative voice in giving space and chance to the seemingly voiceless to be heard globally.Its importance cannot be over-emphasised especially in this era of globalisation where global wealth has grown tremendiously, yet inequality rather be shrinkened has widen leaving the majority in poverty.

And one way of having a fair globalisation is through a decent and living wage situation and this labourStart has been helping to promote.

Their campaign and advocacy work has helped to stem other approaches dissatisfied persons would have taken to seek justice, and so this outfit has also contributed to global and industrial peace.I salute them.

Submitted by Joel Odigie, 29 May 2007

Eric Lee and LabourStart allows armchair socialists to actively promote workers rights and unity around the world - without us getting out of our chairs. We let our fingers do the walking and talking - and economically irrational, dehumanised governments allow their people to regain dignity and humanity.

Submitted by Diana Rickard, 30 May 2007

Labourstart is an exemplar for new digital media. Through encouraging activism amongst its readers the site transcends the traditional and restrictive 'informing' role of the media. Furthermore, labourstart should be commended for giving a voice to those sections of the world's population ignored by much of the media.

Submitted by Vaughan Ellis, 31 May 2007

The best web-site.

Nominated by Nikolay Bryantsev, 21 May 2007

Nicola should win this award for not only she possesses a true passion for supporting individuals and organisations, but also she inspires such individuals to pursue their ideas and goals that will ultimately result in benefits for the communities.She leads her staff to be the best that they can be and most importantly advise their clients on the suitable partnership with other charities / corporate bodies in order to achieve a common goal - Effective advocacy for the most needy people!

Nominated by Sameera Mehdi, 25 April 2007

Well Deserved Nomination!

Submitted by Dr Syed Abidi, 25 April 2007

This is a public space – independent of government, commercial interests and the news media – where people can respond, react, review and reflect on the news

Each week, topical questions are asked about the news – its accuracy, fairness, context, sourcing and ethics. The questions are intended to provoke public debate about news standards – to draw attention to the good stuff and expose the bad.

15 May 2007

Solid impact in their chosen field already, and only 18 months after founding! Surely big things to come in future from these activists.

Great work last year for copyright term extension (see 'Release the Music') and this year on e-voting.

Nominated by Michael Holloway, 02 April 2007

Actualy talking to MPs, responding to consultations and giving a voice to people who have not been represented. I hope they will be able to make a big difference on e-voting in this country, given the mess it has caused in America.

Submitted by Glyn Wintle, 22 May 2007

Oxjam is about raising money for Oxfam to tackle poverty all over the world. Supporting Oxjam helps people to earn a living; to get an education; health care; fresh water; and to grow more food.

09 May 2007

Shame they don\'t organise some gigs for Darfur now !

Submitted by Chad, 17 May 2007

go oxjam!

Submitted by becks gowland, 18 May 2007

Oxjam rocks....

Submitted by Barry Cade, 18 May 2007

Oxjam- you're doing a great job, keep up the good work!

Submitted by Mandy, 18 May 2007

Go for it with Oxjam. Raise funds for thge poorest!

Submitted by Owen Plunkett, 18 May 2007

Oxjam is just another great idea from Oxfam. They are, as somebody once said, "simply the best"!

Submitted by Tim Mullen, 18 May 2007

Go Oxjam!

Submitted by Casper, 19 May 2007

You may not agree with Mr Roberts\' case, but you really cannot give an award for \"the individual or organisation that has most effectively influenced opinions and behaviour through the use of new media technology\" to anyone else...

Nominated by Tom Loosemore, 29 May 2007

Life is too fast these days. We have children, and then seem so busy that we forget that simple, attainable things like eating healthy food as a family is so vital. The benefits of good food speak for themselves, but the importance of family time, of talking, discussing and learning about each other is so important in a child's development. Thanks to this site, we now all sit down each evening (my son is 13 months old) to eat together. It has made a great impact on our relationship and as our son grows, I know it will be a very precious time of day - just as it was when I was a child.

Nominated by Jacqueline Kent, 31 May 2007

i have a large brood of children. and we had a look at the back to the table. and i put in place that we sat and ate breakfast together and at tea time it was a big hit as we all discussed what we had been doing that day or what we were going to be doing. yes it gets noisy but i love it as i never had that when i was a child.

Submitted by Dawne, 31 May 2007

He has made a very significant contribution to providing the information for defeating one of the great scourges of this century, drug misuse, and has also provided tools for prevention of future drug addiction.

His main research will also provide information that could lead to a transformation of our society from a violent one to a peaceful society.

Nominated by rayner, 26 May 2007

Rayner Garner has devoted his life to improving the human condition. He and his ideas deserve to be better known.

Submitted by Mark Sawyer, 27 May 2007

For creativity in advocating for change

18 May 2007

fantastic way of getting a complex idea into the public imagination

Submitted by joe barrell, 25 May 2007

The group has used blogging in an exciting and innovative way to publicise development ideas being considered by the local unelected 'Vision Board' to local people.

It has opened up the debate, and given local people a voice, holding the people who make important decisions about our environment and our lives to account.

The blog carries a diverse range of news and views, including artwork, photography and poetry produced by local people who care about their river.

Save The Ribble is becoming a model for local community-based blogging, raising issues in a way that enlivens local politics and relates it to national and international environmental and social issues.

Nominated by Max Neill, 06 March 2007

The campaign blog is an accessible information highway for local people to find out about the damage the proposed developments would cause, why it is important that the Ribble and green belt areas are protected, the latest developments and what they can do to try to help prevent this from happening, and is an accessible space where ordinary people can express our own views.

Nominated by J. Bryan, 07 March 2007

Save The Ribble Campaign's blog has proved to be a fantastic, accessible and informative site where local people can find out about the development plans for the River Ribble and floodplain and the potentially devastating impact these could have on our precious environment and our homes. It allows the campaigners and local residents to respond to events as they occur, and try to counteract the ill-advised, ill-informed and downright misleading claims made by the developers. It is also a place where we ordinary local people can have a voice instead of being silenced and ignored by the powerful council officials and property developers keen to carve up our environment with scant regard for the impact on our lives.

Submitted by Jabberwocky, 07 March 2007

A fine example of 'NIMBYism' at its best.

Submitted by Peter Jenkins, 11 March 2007

Second Life is a phenomena, bringing together people from the rich world - the technology barrier means participation by people in developing countries is difficult. However, it gives a means for international meetings. The SP amphitheatre has hosted such events and has an audio library where avitars can sit and listen to past radio interviews, presentations and policy fora. There are also fun things, such as a swimming pool, dance floor and hot tub and facilities for voice as well as text chat. Speakers can show slides in world.

To complement the Second Life activity and provide wider access, there is a streaming radio service, SL SP Adopters' Group radio (SL-SPAG radio) running a loop of material available in world, with occasional live programmes. A blog also provides an update on events and activities.

This is an imaginative use of technology, which is bringing people together and helping to transfer interest in SL to action in RL (Real Life).

Mike Brady could accept any award on Luzo Orbit's behalf - or it could be presented to him directly in SL!!

Nominated by Mike Brady, 13 March 2007

Excellent! It gets my nomination

Submitted by John Bunzl, 31 March 2007

Great stuff!

Submitted by Gareth Doutch, 03 April 2007

Luzo Orbit and the SP Adopters Group deserves the Civic Society Award. Working hard to bring the virtual world together to discuss serious Real World Concerns.

Submitted by Licia Zona, 22 April 2007

Can anything good come out of the soul vacuum that is Second Life? Answer yes.. An international forum for virtual face to face discussion of, and potential impact on the urgent issues of Climate Change and the Clash of Civilizations. (if you can get bit to work on your computer)

Submitted by Ros Prichard, 04 May 2007

Perhaps the most important discussions on how to solve our current global problems

Submitted by Rob Wicke, 06 May 2007

Clear, friendly, informative and challenging. It offers an innovative alternative to conventional international politics at just the right time -- when cooperative decisions need to be made in dealing with climate change.

Submitted by Brian Wills, 26 May 2007

For its work exposing people trafficking and encouraging governments to take action

17 May 2007

Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits were introduced in 2002. But poor information, numerous, repeated mistakes and lack of care by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has resulted in millions of families being overpaid and facing harsh cuts to their benefits or unsubstantiated court action. This web site helps the casualties of the tax credit fiasco find a voice and support, learn how to take on the HMRC Goliath, and challenges the human rights abuses enshrined in the "appeal" process. It's a lonely ray of sunshine in the other wise bleak, stressful and debt-ridden world of tax credit overpayments.

Nominated by Lisa Weatherley, 25 May 2007

The website provides:

Useful contacts & an info-sharing forum;

Local links, peer support; advice on averting premature court action, saving people from what they believe is a fair hearing, but is purely a means of enforcing recovery under false pretences; a chance to share ideas/experiences and influence future

policy; help to access legal advice and MP support, and to know our rights; feedback to government; a chance to have our say. It empowers disempowered, vulnerable people at their wits\' end, and opposes state-sanctioned psychological and financial abuse of the vulnerable

Nominated by Alison Myers-Ward, 25 May 2007

For help and encouragement when others are too overwhelmed with problem cases to advise

Nominated by A. Lote, 25 May 2007

I applaud this nomination. It may seem a specialist area, but literally tens of thousands of individuals are being pursued for recovery of alleged overpayment of Tax Credits in Britain by HMRC causing severe stress to so many. The site is indeed a very welcome ray of sunshine and should be commended to all who find themselves abused by HMRC.

Submitted by Ron, 25 May 2007

I too would like to see this unique user group win through. I\'m proud to be associated with this valiant campaign and self-help group, battling to give the disempowered a voice and access to an independent decision as to whether overpayments made through HMRC incompetency should be recovered. Paula Dean has worked tirelessly to support people (including me) who have been in despair, and has built the group up from a collection of scared, anguished people to a well-informed, cohesive group supporting hundreds of claimants at their wits-end. And all this before any public launch of the TCC - due this June!

Submitted by Alison Myers-Ward, 25 May 2007

A great site for affected people, it will get very popular in months to come. The site contains more information than the government and the revenue want you to know about.

Submitted by sammy, 25 May 2007

Nothing like collective action to show the powers that be that rough justice is no justice at all. Justice is an Amnesty for all non-fraudulent overpayments. Brown, you know it makes sense!

Submitted by Alison Myers-Ward, 25 May 2007

A fantastic site. Paula Dean and Ali have worked really hard for thousands of people trapped in the overpayment fiasco, not our fault.No replies from TC or records of our calls 2003-2004 in particular

Submitted by rosie, 25 May 2007

In terms of media use by the group TCC / Tax Credit Overpayment have...

* The website - with downloadable forms, links to government / support agencies / a network of coordinators across the country, a message board and a step by step guide to Appealing.

* An online case advisor with experience in making the painful process of appealing as simple as possible

* The forum, where many get to share their experiences and support each other, share ideas and comments on current affairs

* The online petition for all to register their dissatisfaction on

* A MySpace page to reach a different audience with updated appropriate musical accompaniment

* An email egroup to keep subscribed members up to date with events and share the workload where possible

* A constant presence on many other sites and forums to raise the profile and make links with other groups likely to ‘user overlap’

Along with

* A full range of instant contact details so that TCC can respond quickly and effectively to whoever needs support, representation or comment.

* Updates on the latest achievements of the group, legislation changes, action plans, pending meeting, media interviews etc.

* Various ‘lighter’ expressions of the mess that is the Tax Credit system – poetry / lyrics / cartoons etc

* Legal advice and a blog on the legal action by the group

* Constantly updated information pages on other issues and campaigns likely to affect the users of the site. I.e. bank charges refunds, debt problems and discrimination

Although Tax Credit is a UK only system, claimants who have since moved overseas are able to access the website etc and all the information they need easily and inexpensively. Site users come from as far away as Poland, Italy and France.

The site is frequently used by the broadcast and print media to make contact with victims and coordinators, and to reference the background of the situation and developments.

Submitted by Vic, 26 May 2007

Great help, we need all the help we can get. I have now been trying to sort out my overpayment for 4 years and with the help of Paula, have managed to claim back over £1000 from Inland Revenue

Submitted by Sarah Paddock, 31 May 2007

When all seemed lost,in my fight against the HMRC,i chanced upon this group,and the information i gained from it was invaluable.in my case. showing me how to complain,what information i am entitled too. and the service from HMRC i should expect.i have now joined them, and now help others that are affected by tax credit overpayments.Fiasco.

Submitted by Robert, 31 May 2007

Call Parents is installed in hundreds of primary and secondary schools in the UK, and enables schools to send a message to all parents with pupils at the school, via text message (SMS) or by an automated phone call. The system enables schools to keep parents/guardians constantly informed of all school activities, whether it is a message following up on a letter given to the pupils to take home or just sending a simple information message updating parents on forthcoming events in the school.

The system reads live pupil contact information direct from the schools management system and can send specific messages to parents of a specific class, year or group. Ideal for school closure warnings, messages can also be sent about cancellations or delays to events, emergency notifications, parents’ evenings, returning from a school trip and letting parents know when report cards have gone home.

When a text message is sent, the school will receive confirmation that the message has been sent to the parents/guardians mobile number. Each text message will automatically include the schools name and number so that if they have any queries they can call the school directly. The reporting system on Call Parents provides school with instantaneous feedback on who has or has now received the all-important messages, thus allowing the school to take further action with parents/guardians who have not received your message.

In February 2007, Call Parents was used to send more than 60,000 text alerts to parents up and down the country as schools closed due to the heaviest snow fall for seven years. Using Call Parents ensured that schools could alert parents of the closures quickly using text messages and automated phone calls.

Call Parents also removes the burden on school support staff have to make all those calls and ensures that these important messages from school to home are sent directly to parents, thus avoiding any confusion that may surround a school closure, delays or emergency notifications.

Nominated by Tara Sinclair, 25 May 2007

A startling 15 to 20 children take their own lives each year because they are being bullied. Text Someone helps to encourage those who are being bullied to report incidents more frequently to make their schools aware that there is a problem. Text Someone is the first service of its kind in the UK.

Whenever a pupil sends a message it will automatically appear on the Text Someone system in the school. School staff receive a text or email alerting to a new message from pupils. A member of school staff can securely log onto the secure system to see all phone , text and email messages reported by pupils They are then presented with the option to text or email their response back to that pupil and enter into a text or email chat to gain their trust and encourage them to speak out about issues that are troubling them, with a view to a face to face meeting to further discuss any issues. All messages are timed and dated and additional notes can be added, allowing schools to review these at a later date.

Schools need to overcome the problem of silence as children do not like to speak out about bullying for fear that this will make the problem even worse. Research from ChildLine found that 87% of young people are too embarrassed to talk about problems, while two-thirds fear getting into trouble. Another major issue is that bullying does not just occur inside the school gates, with bullies using mobile phones, email and the internet there is no place for the victim to hide. It can occur at anytime and take many forms.

In order to combat the advent of cyber bullying, new features specifically designed to report online incidents have recently been added to Text Someone. Pupils can securely log onto the secure website and report incidents of cyber bullying by navigating to the relevant URL and taking a snapshot of the defamatory website. Pupils can add additional comments and then record the page to the Text Someone system. This ensures that even if the webpage is deleted, a copy is kept and can be used as evidence against the perpetrators.

Nominated by Tara Sinclair, 25 May 2007

The Government has set a target to reduce truancy by 10 per cent from its 2002 position. However in 2005/6 Government statistics revealed that unauthorised absence (truancy) levels had actually increased. At the same time some schools using Truancy Call have reduced unauthorised absence by up to two thirds since introducing the system.

With Truancy Call, absenteeism in schools can be tackled swiftly and efficiently, pupil’s welfare safeguarded and administrative burdens on staff reduced.

Truancy Call is the market leader for the provision of automatic parent notification systems and now has hundreds schools in the UK, Republic of Ireland and Western Australia using the service.

The process a school would go through using Truancy Call is as follows. Once statutory registration, whether morning or afternoon, has been completed and all registration records are returned, any pupil with a specific attendance code (denoting absent without reason) is automatically extracted and placed into the Truancy Call system (which sits in the school). A last minute check by school staff can be made before the data is encrypted and transmitted securely to the Truancy Call text messaging and phone system which automatically calls, texts or emails parents until a response is received. Once a response is received any further calls that day are stopped automatically.

All parental responses appear next to their child on the Truancy Call system, can be listened to and viewed, with the appropriate attendance code keyed in and written back to the schools attendance system. That is the total process which without Truancy Call could take 2-3 members of staff all day to do in an average secondary school with 100 pupils off a day.

Truancy Call also offers a good return on investment for schools. In tackling attendance, a school can appear higher in the league tables, thus gaining a good local reputation attracting high calibre pupils to the school.

Nominated by Tara Sinclair, 25 May 2007