New This Week (March 13, 2017)

This video captures, for me, the way a global network of activists is able to get the word out and spur people to action, despite the obstacles erected by the powers that be:

(I'm grateful to Vala Afshar, chief digital evangelist at Salesforce.com, for sharing it with the comment, "When you try to contain the truth in a connected, knowledge sharing society.")

How is the global network of activists going to help bring a global ban on nuclear weapons to fruition? This week I'm thinking about the many dimensions of the upcoming nuclear ban talks at the UN. I've suggested people dig in to the awesome Reaching Critical Will document in preparation. I particularly admire the emphasis in the RCW briefing document on the victims and survivors of the use and testing of nuclear weapons (hibakusha).

I'm also continuing to think about who is (and is not planning to be at the table). Most of the Commonwealth nations -- with or without the UK, Canada, and Australia -- will be participating. (PS - Happy Commonwealth Day, March 13.)

Who else is participating . . . ?

*   *   * 

Nuclear Disarmament Opportunity for Youth: Amplify Network 2017 Youth Summit from 17 – 21 June 2017 in New York, USA -- working for a world without nuclear weapons. Deadline is April 3 - significant underwriting provided to participants!

*   *   *

Trump and Nuclear Weapons: There are now twenty-one (21) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And two (2) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.) Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list!

     Update March 15: make that THREE Senate co-sponsors . . . !

*   *   * 

Social media effectiveness tip of the week: Use a scheduling tool like Buffer or Hootsuite, and give thought to the number, timing, and focus of the messages you put out on social media!

(More on social media effectiveness . . . . )