I was checking through Facebook, as one example of where many people voice their objections and opposition to child soldiering and came up with some interesting statistics.
There are over 120 pages, either individuals or groups, against the use of child soldiers, particularly in Africa. This indicates that many people across the globe are aware of the problem and want to do something about it.
I then looked at the followings or memberships, or ‘like’s for most of these pages. After counting over 8000 likes, members and followers, it was clear to me there are many people wanting to speak out, or support anti-child soldering. Yet, of the many groups and pages, the highest following was 982, second was 731 and third 441. Most had below twenty and many under ten.
So what does this tell us. Well, like any movement, unless it is coordinated, moves along a common path and in agreement with the overall goals and purposes it remains dispersed and is powerless. Its like standing under a shower of rain. Cool, wet, but thats it. Now take all those drops and shoot them out of a fire hose. Different effect.
There must be a way to join up all the groups, individuals etc., on Facebook for a start, and then maybe draw in other groups and associations. A group with hundreds of thousands of members could have an impact on governments. Hundreds of thousands spread out and dispersed isn’t effective.
Any ideas?
