Avaaz

The word Avaaz means "voice" in many different Asian languages.  Avaaz is actually one of the largest online communities with more than three million members.  Spearheaded by a lean team of social networkers, it has no use for national chapters, dividing its operations not by geography but by language.

Avaaz gives a voice to the voiceless - - their organizational vision is the linking of local grievances to global resources.  Techno-activism - - real-time information to millions combined with getting media and governments to focus on issues sooner than they otherwise might.

The news tonight from Egypt demonstrates the power and frustration of millions who are surviving on $2 per day where escalating food prices, limited economic opportunities, combined with a government of no accountability and transparency.  With services such as Avaaz, Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail - - the under-privileged, under-served, and under-feared have decided that human rights are one arena in particular that must be contested from the bottom up, not the top down.

We may be entering a period of our global history where technology allows the bottom to more easily and successfully challenge the status quo.  With economic stagnation, food pressures, limited and effective democratic representation, rising income equality, corrupt practices - - the status quo has a lot to be challenged over.