Saturday, 12 February 2011

Save the Children's First Blogging Conference 26th Feb

I had the pleasure of being invited to this event by Save the Children. I'm unable to attend for health reasons, but I'm permitted to advertise the event to other fellow bloggers. Below are the details from the press release. I would like to stress this is for all bloggers, not just book reviewers or writers. So spread the word to everyone who blogs!  


Are you #Borntowrite?
 Save the Children launch the first ever charity blogging conference
 
 
Save the Children have teamed up with author Melvin Burgess to bring you the first ever charity-run blogging conferenceThe event, taking place in London on Saturday 26th February, is packed with exciting workshops and multi-media training sessions, and a talk by Melvin Burgess, award winning children’s author about the power of the written word.
 
On Monday, Save the Children launched their biggest ever campaign No Child Born to Die to stop millions of children from dying from preventable illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia. Save the Children is urging the the public to think of their individual talents or 'what they are born to do', and to use that to help save children’s lives. The #Borntowrite blogging conference is aimed at inspiring bloggers, the increasingly powerful army of online commentators, to take part in their campaign by doing what they do best, and help spread the word.
 
From today, with only limited spaces available, bloggers are urged to apply online for a free space at the conference. Bloggers from all areas are invited and sessions on the day will include something for everyone from practical film workshops to how to lobby governments.
 
As well as attending the keynote speech by Melvin Burgess, one of today’s most controversial children’s authors, bloggers can also win a place on Melvin's exclusive master class.
 
Melvin Burgess, said:  
“Of all skills, being able to write well is perhaps the most fundamental today. It is something that has only increased in importance in the digital age. All stories, all reportage, nearly all thought-out communications begin with the written word, and the ability to communicate well. Not just our thoughts but our feelings, beliefs and passions, are the first thing anyone wanting to participate in this society at any level needs to learn.” 
 
Save the Children is leading the way in the charity sector with innovative approaches to social media. Last year, they took three mummy bloggers on a trip to Bangladesh. The trip, dubbed #Blogladesh, caused a digital storm reaching 10 million people on Twitter and featuring prominently in the mainstream media, such as ITV's national teatime news. The success culminated in the bloggers interviewing Nick Clegg twice in the space of one week.  
 
Liz Scarff, Save the Children’s Digital Media Manager said:
"Save the Children recognises that social media is now a vital part of any communication strategy, which is why we are holding this blogging conference to engage and enrage the community. We are looking to build on the phenomenal support from the blogosphere for our recent #Blogladesh campaign. We know that bloggers are inspired by their passion for writing and that’s why we’re thrilled that Melvin Burgess is supporting our No Child Born to Die campaign."
 
"Our No Child Born to Die campaign launched on Monday saw us trending on twitter and attracting support from celebrities including Stephen Fry and Piers Morgan and MPs including Harriet Harman."   
 
Register online at www.savethechildren.org.uk/borntowrite for a free place and get your twibbon and bloggers’ badge. If you’d like to be part of Melvin’s master class, Save the Children is asking bloggers to write a blog post about what they were Born To Do and post entries into the linky at the bottom of the page.
 
ENDS
 
Notes to editors
 
:: For any media requests, please contact Fiona Ferguson on f.ferguson@savethechildren.org.uk or 0207 012 6872
 
:: The conference will be held at Save the Children head office, St Johns Lane, LondonEC1M 4AR. Time: 9.30 - 4pm.
 
:: Numbers are limited so please register as soon as you can at www.savethechildren.org.uk/borntowrite 
 
:: To win a place on the master class you have to write a blog post in response to our latest campaign about what you were Born to do/be?
 
:: No Child Born to Die is backed by celebrities such as Simon Cowell, Natasha Kaplinsky and Edith Bowman

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