A new non-profit Web site allows people to make their voices heard on issues that affect them and their communities, with the first 'march' taking place at the Copenhagen climate change talks.
WebMarch is a local site allowing users to participate in a virtual march and connect to other groups and individuals interested in the conference, running until Friday 18 December.
On the site, users can sign up and post a message to Connie Hedegaard, Danish Minister of Climate and Energy, and be represented virtually at the Bella Centre where the summit is taking place.
While the Copenhagen negotiations will forge a new climate policy affecting all the world's citizens, few South Africans have had the opportunity to get directly involved, says a WebMarch statement. This is mostly because the talks are taking place halfway across the globe, it adds.
“WebMarch is a step towards mobilising individuals in our society who are watching the actions our leaders take, but are also ready and willing to get involved themselves,” says Anthony Eldridge Rogers, founder of the project.
“It is really important for all citizens to make their voices heard right now, so decisions reached by politicians reflect the priorities of people that care about our environment, and ensure that developing countries get heard clearly,” he adds.
Power in numbers
WebMarchers can also 'show up' at the march destination, by registering and placing a small avatar of themselves at the Bella Centre in Copenhagen, explains Eldridge Rogers.
“Tens or hundreds of thousands of people, all plotted on the map of the city, will demonstrate an overwhelming show of solidarity for those looking for a meaningful outcome from the conference.”
He adds that WebMarch allows users to set up a group for friends and associates to co-ordinate their activities and share information. The site also has a Facebook page where people can show support, share ideas and suggest improvements to the site.
“This first WebMarch is about climate change and our first stop is this meeting in Copenhagen,” says Eldridge Rogers, “but we are not stopping there.
“This meeting on climate change is the start of a process of change and social action that will continue for years, even generations. WebMarch is designed to allow people that care to join in solidarity around a principle, that what we do as individuals, and what we do as a society, materially impacts the world we live in.”
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