Grassroots International : Activism on a Large Scale

This is a website pertaining to social justice issues that provides coverage on an international scale. The site provides in-depth coverage of issues that are not widely discussed in the mainstream media, and offers an alternative source of news for the purpose of creating "a just and sustainable world [and] advancing social change." The primary focus of this organization is on food, water and land. It advocates for people living in countries that have been in many ways taken advantage of or forgotten by the foreign policies of powerful countries such as the United States. 

People working for the organization collect data, build movements, develop reports, and work to promote human rights, rethink aid, develop sustainable livelihoods, develop educational resources and greater access to education, write grants and build partnerships with other aid organizations around the world. 

What most drew me into the site was the slideshow of images in the upper right corner better illustrating the people most in need of Grassroots International's support and advocacy. It personalizes the page and gives the organization legitimacy. 

Another key aspect of this page was a clear option to "donate now." The option to donate is obviously a key component to any non-profit organization, and I think it was a wise decision to make the option very visible and user-friendly for those who visit the site and wish to contribute to the cause financially.  In the same sense, an option to "join now" by entering an email address is clearly one of the first things the viewer sees upon entering the site. I think these things definitely encourage involvement on the part of people who want to help out, if even just getting the word out or helping fund a local educational event. 

Last but not least, the substance of the site included blog posts and online stories about current events and international social injustices. The stories and posts are "short features" that tell the story of an in-depth issue in a concise manner. The site also includes Op-Eds and Q & As, which I thought were both helpful and a good alternative to online stories and blog posts. These things can approach an issue from different or specific angles that a blog post or online story might not be able to reach, and I think that ability is important especially when reporting on complex issues that have many sides, and affect many people who need to tell their stories in different ways. 

Click here for a review of Grassroots International by the Better Business Bureau.