Let Them Eat Tweets: Online Organizing for Real World Change, Hosted by Purpose

Event Description:

The last year saw much lively and heated debate around the ability of online action to advance social change.  From Malcolm Gladwell's discussion of clicktivism, to the debate over the role that social media has played in driving mass unrest in Egypt (and the regime’s adept use of social media to target dissidents), many of us are trying sort out which activities lead to real, substantive change—and which activities make a lot of virtual noise, with little real-world impact.

Our panelists are tackling that question head on.  They lead a range of initiatives taking nuanced and diverse views on how social media platforms, new apps, email lists and their own websites can drive their audiences to take meaningful action.  From cyberbullying and empowerment of young girls around the world to challenging corporate power and standing up for LGBT rights, the panelists will discuss what's worked best—and what's next.

A discussion will be followed by a Q&A with the audience.

Speakers:

• Andre Banks - moderator , Director of Strategy, Purpose
  Co-Founder, AllOut.org - a global campaigning organization pushing for int'l LGBT Equality
   
• Naomi Hirabayashi , Director of Marketing, DoSomething.org
   
• Jason Rzepka , VP of Public Affairs MTV
  AThinLine. org - cyberbullying initiative
   
• Aaron Sherinian , Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs, UN Foundation
  GirlUP - A program to get US girls active in supporting their counterparts around the world

• Andy Bichlbaum, Co-founder, The Yes Men
  Co-founder, The Yes Labs