Powerbase - User contributions [en]

Gen Next

2010-11-16T19:55:16Z

Gavin Ross: /* Selected Members */

==History==
Gen Next is an "exclusive, Membership-driven organization of successful and committed individuals aimed at overcoming generational challenges in three areas: economic growth, education and international security". <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/about/overview/ Gen Next: Overview]" Gen-Next.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It was co-founded by [[Alliance for Youth Movement]] co-founder [[Roman Tsunder]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profiles]" Movements.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Members are only admitted after being invited to join and pay a $10,000 annual contribution. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Member Profiles]" Gen-Next.org, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> To be invited to join Gen Next, you are first required to have been nominated by two active members of the group. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Become a Member]" Gen-Next.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It would also appear that the political affiliation of Gen Next is of a [[Republican]] nature, as the Gen Next [[PAC]] have donated to [[Republican]] candidates and on the 30 June 2009, gave $5000 to the [[National Republican Congressional Committee]]. <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/com_supopp/C00392795/ FEC Disclourse Report]" FEC.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Selected Members==
Members include: <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Membership Profiles]" Gen-Next.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

[[Jason Childs]] 
[[Jared Cohen]] 
[[Jeff Gehl]] 
[[Jason Liebman]] 
[[Roman Tsunder]] 

==Notes==
<references/>
==Further References==
[http://www.gen-next.org/ Gen Next Website]

Gen Next

2010-11-16T19:54:50Z

Gavin Ross: /* History */

==History==
Gen Next is an "exclusive, Membership-driven organization of successful and committed individuals aimed at overcoming generational challenges in three areas: economic growth, education and international security". <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/about/overview/ Gen Next: Overview]" Gen-Next.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It was co-founded by [[Alliance for Youth Movement]] co-founder [[Roman Tsunder]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profiles]" Movements.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Members are only admitted after being invited to join and pay a $10,000 annual contribution. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Member Profiles]" Gen-Next.org, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> To be invited to join Gen Next, you are first required to have been nominated by two active members of the group. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Become a Member]" Gen-Next.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It would also appear that the political affiliation of Gen Next is of a [[Republican]] nature, as the Gen Next [[PAC]] have donated to [[Republican]] candidates and on the 30 June 2009, gave $5000 to the [[National Republican Congressional Committee]]. <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/com_supopp/C00392795/ FEC Disclourse Report]" FEC.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Selected Members==
Members include: <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Membership Profiles]" [[www.gen-next.org]], accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

[[Jason Childs]] 
[[Jared Cohen]] 
[[Jeff Gehl]] 
[[Jason Liebman]] 
[[Roman Tsunder]] 

==Notes==
<references/>
==Further References==
[http://www.gen-next.org/ Gen Next Website]

Globalisation:Rachel Silver

2010-11-16T19:52:49Z

Gavin Ross:

Rachel Jo Silver is the Development and Corporate Partnerships Manager for the Alliance for Youth Movements (AYM). She has a joint Masters Degree in International Affairs, Conflict Resolution, and Civil Society Development from the American University of Paris and L’Institut Catholique de Paris. She previously worked for Howcast Media and currently works for various other non-profit organisations such as the One Voice Movement.<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Team]" Movements.org, accessed 26 October 2010</ref>

===Work For Alliance for Youth Movements===
Whilst working for Howcast Media, created by AYM co-founder Jason Liebman, Silver was significantly influential in the organisation of the three annual AYM summits taken place so far, in New York, Mexico City and London respectively.

==Notes==
<references/>

Susannah Vila

2010-11-16T19:52:07Z

Gavin Ross:

Susannah Vila is the Director of Content and Outreach for [[Movements.org]]. She has a Masters Degree in Political Science from Columbia University, USA.

As well as her work for [[Globalisation:Alliance for Youth Movements|Alliance for Youth Movements]](AYM), she writes for various other established websites, often on the role of technology in Global Politics. She also works with individuals and organizations looking to harness digital tools for greater impact as a trainer and colsuntant.<ref>"[http://susannahvila.com/aym SusannahVilla.com]" SusannahVilla.com, accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

===Work for Alliance for Youths Movement===
Susannah works for AYM as the Director of Content and Outreach on their official website, Movements.org.
She reguarly contributes articles to the website on current world events which relate to the role of Digital Activism in politics.<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements - Team]" Movements.org, accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

As the focus of her Degree would suggest, many of Susannah's own blogs on the site are based on corruption in Latin American countries, as well as reports on India, the US and any prominent news stories relating to digital diplomacy or repression.<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/blog/ Alliance for Youth Movements - The Blog]" Movements.org, accessed 7 November 2010</ref>

===Media Work===
Susannah Vila began her media career as a fact-checker, researcher and writer at The Nation Magazine. From here she moved to CBS news, where she held the same positions as she had in her previous post. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements - Team]" Movements.org, accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

She currently reports for Global Voices Online, which she has been involved with sine February 2010, covering the political situation in Cuba, specifically on infringments of human rights.<ref>"[http://globalvoicesonline.org/author/susannah-vila/ Global Voices Online]" GlobalVoicesOnline.org, accessed 7 November 2010</ref>

Her most notable individual achievement in terms of media work, is the establishment of the website NYC.is. This is a blog-based website in which New Yorkers are welcome to make news-related posts which can then be shared and rated by other users.<ref>"[http://nyfi.observer.com/media/332/new-web-site-nycis NYFI - NYC.is, Curated by NYC]" NYFI.Observer.com, accessed 7 November 2010</ref>
Susannah Vila herself believes that its unique aspect of user-controlled local news will become a popular medium of internet press media: "NYC.is will, I hope, become the place to publish, share and rate community, civic and citizen journalism about neighborhoods in the five boroughs. There is no barrier to entry which, in addition to the self-curating aspect, is what sets us apart."<ref>"[http://blog.metaprinter.com/2009/07/interview-with-nyc-is-founder-susannah-vila/ Metaprinter - Interview With NYC.is Founder Susannah Vila]" blog.metaprinter.com, accessed 8 November 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Susannah Vila

2010-11-16T19:51:40Z

Gavin Ross: /* Media Work */

Susannah Vila is the Director of Content and Outreach for [[Movements.org]]. She has a Masters Degree in Political Science from Columbia University, USA.

As well as her work for [[Globalisation:Alliance for Youth Movements|Alliance for Youth Movements]](AYM), she writes for various other established websites, often on the role of technology in Global Politics. She also works with individuals and organizations looking to harness digital tools for greater impact as a trainer and colsuntant.<ref>"[http://susannahvila.com/aym SusannahVilla.com]" [[susannahvilla.com]], accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

===Work for Alliance for Youths Movement===
Susannah works for AYM as the Director of Content and Outreach on their official website, Movements.org.
She reguarly contributes articles to the website on current world events which relate to the role of Digital Activism in politics.<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements - Team]" Movements.org, accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

As the focus of her Degree would suggest, many of Susannah's own blogs on the site are based on corruption in Latin American countries, as well as reports on India, the US and any prominent news stories relating to digital diplomacy or repression.<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/blog/ Alliance for Youth Movements - The Blog]" Movements.org, accessed 7 November 2010</ref>

===Media Work===
Susannah Vila began her media career as a fact-checker, researcher and writer at The Nation Magazine. From here she moved to CBS news, where she held the same positions as she had in her previous post. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements - Team]" Movements.org, accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

She currently reports for Global Voices Online, which she has been involved with sine February 2010, covering the political situation in Cuba, specifically on infringments of human rights.<ref>"[http://globalvoicesonline.org/author/susannah-vila/ Global Voices Online]" GlobalVoicesOnline.org, accessed 7 November 2010</ref>

Her most notable individual achievement in terms of media work, is the establishment of the website NYC.is. This is a blog-based website in which New Yorkers are welcome to make news-related posts which can then be shared and rated by other users.<ref>"[http://nyfi.observer.com/media/332/new-web-site-nycis NYFI - NYC.is, Curated by NYC]" NYFI.Observer.com, accessed 7 November 2010</ref>
Susannah Vila herself believes that its unique aspect of user-controlled local news will become a popular medium of internet press media: "NYC.is will, I hope, become the place to publish, share and rate community, civic and citizen journalism about neighborhoods in the five boroughs. There is no barrier to entry which, in addition to the self-curating aspect, is what sets us apart."<ref>"[http://blog.metaprinter.com/2009/07/interview-with-nyc-is-founder-susannah-vila/ Metaprinter - Interview With NYC.is Founder Susannah Vila]" blog.metaprinter.com, accessed 8 November 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Susannah Vila

2010-11-16T19:50:12Z

Gavin Ross: /* Work for Alliance for Youths Movement */

Susannah Vila is the Director of Content and Outreach for [[Movements.org]]. She has a Masters Degree in Political Science from Columbia University, USA.

As well as her work for [[Globalisation:Alliance for Youth Movements|Alliance for Youth Movements]](AYM), she writes for various other established websites, often on the role of technology in Global Politics. She also works with individuals and organizations looking to harness digital tools for greater impact as a trainer and colsuntant.<ref>"[http://susannahvila.com/aym SusannahVilla.com]" [[susannahvilla.com]], accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

===Work for Alliance for Youths Movement===
Susannah works for AYM as the Director of Content and Outreach on their official website, Movements.org.
She reguarly contributes articles to the website on current world events which relate to the role of Digital Activism in politics.<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements - Team]" Movements.org, accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

As the focus of her Degree would suggest, many of Susannah's own blogs on the site are based on corruption in Latin American countries, as well as reports on India, the US and any prominent news stories relating to digital diplomacy or repression.<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/blog/ Alliance for Youth Movements - The Blog]" Movements.org, accessed 7 November 2010</ref>

===Media Work===
Susannah Vila began her media career as a fact-checker, researcher and writer at The Nation Magazine. From here she moved to CBS news, where she held the same positions as she had in her previous post. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements - Team]" [[www.movements.org]], accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

She currently reports for Global Voices Online, which she has been involved with sine February 2010, covering the political situation in Cuba, specifically on infringments of human rights.<ref>"[http://globalvoicesonline.org/author/susannah-vila/ Global Voices Online]" [[globalvoicesonline.org]], accessed 7 November 2010</ref>

Her most notable individual achievement in terms of media work, is the establishment of the website NYC.is. This is a blog-based website in which New Yorkers are welcome to make news-related posts which can then be shared and rated by other users.<ref>"[http://nyfi.observer.com/media/332/new-web-site-nycis NYFI - NYC.is, Curated by NYC]" [[nyfi.observer.com]], accessed 7 November 2010</ref>
Susannah Vila herself believes that its unique aspect of user-controlled local news will become a popular medium of internet press media: "NYC.is will, I hope, become the place to publish, share and rate community, civic and citizen journalism about neighborhoods in the five boroughs. There is no barrier to entry which, in addition to the self-curating aspect, is what sets us apart."<ref>"[http://blog.metaprinter.com/2009/07/interview-with-nyc-is-founder-susannah-vila/ Metaprinter - Interview With NYC.is Founder Susannah Vila]" [[blog.metaprinter.com]], accessed 8 November 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Jared Cohen

2010-11-16T19:49:27Z

Gavin Ross: /* Selected Bibliography */

==Biography==
Jared Cohen is a former member of staff at the [[United States Department of State]] from 2006 under [[Condoleezza Rice]] <ref>"[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/54/?xmlhttp=true Gen Next Membership Profiles] Gen-Next.org, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> until 2010 under Secretary [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]]. <ref>"[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/09/07/jared_cohen State Department Innovator Jared Cohen goes to Google] ForeignPolicy.com, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> Cohen left the [[State Department]] to take on a new role in [[Google]] as the Director of Google Ideas.

Cohen has a BA from [[Standford University]] and a M.Phil in International Relations from [[Oxford University]] which he attended as a [[Rhodes Scholar]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team] Movements.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> He is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]] and a member of a group called [[Gen Next]] <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next Member Profiles]" Gen-Next.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>, which was set up by fellow co-founder and board member [[Roman Tsunder]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team] Movements.org accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> alongside [[Jason Liebman]] who is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]]. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next Member Profiles]" Gen-Next.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Iran==
Cohen has a keen interest in Iranian affairs. While a graduate at [[Oxford University]], Cohen was able to gain a visa to go to Iran and in his own words, "interview members of the political resistance". <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007)]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It was here he met people of his own age and he says that the youth of Iran are the most pro-American population in the Middle East. <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007)]" NewYorker.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>
During the Iranian Presidential Election of 2009, Cohen was again thrust into the media spotlight due to his close relationship with co-founder of the social networking site [[Twitter]], [[Jack Dorsey]]. On the Monday after the disputed Iranian Presidential Election, Cohen asked Dorsey to put off a site maintenance update scheduled as this would have meant that Iranians would have been unable to inform the rest of the world through Twitter the events that were taking place in Tehran. <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009)]" NYTimes.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Cohen, working for Secretary [[Clinton]] under the administration of President [[Barack Obama]], placed himself at odds with official policy which was to avoid the appearance of meddling in the Iranian elections, but according to Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs [[P.J. Crowley]], Cohen was merely asking Twitter to maintain service to a situation that had already started days before this incident. <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009)]" NYTimes.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Selected Bibliography==
Cohen has written two books, which are: <ref> "[http://www.amazon.com/Jared-Cohen/e/B001IXO96E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1287081442&sr=8-1 Jared Cohen: Amazon.com]" Amazon.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

'''Children of Jihad: A Young American's Travel Among the Youth of the Middle East''' (2008) 
'''One Hundred Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide''' (2007) 

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jaredcohen Jared Cohen Twitter Page] 
[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein New Yorker Profile] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile] 
[http://www.state.gov/s/p/115458.htm State Department Profile] 

==Notes==
<references/>

Jared Cohen

2010-11-16T19:49:05Z

Gavin Ross: /* Iran */

==Biography==
Jared Cohen is a former member of staff at the [[United States Department of State]] from 2006 under [[Condoleezza Rice]] <ref>"[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/54/?xmlhttp=true Gen Next Membership Profiles] Gen-Next.org, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> until 2010 under Secretary [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]]. <ref>"[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/09/07/jared_cohen State Department Innovator Jared Cohen goes to Google] ForeignPolicy.com, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> Cohen left the [[State Department]] to take on a new role in [[Google]] as the Director of Google Ideas.

Cohen has a BA from [[Standford University]] and a M.Phil in International Relations from [[Oxford University]] which he attended as a [[Rhodes Scholar]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team] Movements.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> He is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]] and a member of a group called [[Gen Next]] <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next Member Profiles]" Gen-Next.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>, which was set up by fellow co-founder and board member [[Roman Tsunder]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team] Movements.org accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> alongside [[Jason Liebman]] who is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]]. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next Member Profiles]" Gen-Next.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Iran==
Cohen has a keen interest in Iranian affairs. While a graduate at [[Oxford University]], Cohen was able to gain a visa to go to Iran and in his own words, "interview members of the political resistance". <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007)]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It was here he met people of his own age and he says that the youth of Iran are the most pro-American population in the Middle East. <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007)]" NewYorker.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>
During the Iranian Presidential Election of 2009, Cohen was again thrust into the media spotlight due to his close relationship with co-founder of the social networking site [[Twitter]], [[Jack Dorsey]]. On the Monday after the disputed Iranian Presidential Election, Cohen asked Dorsey to put off a site maintenance update scheduled as this would have meant that Iranians would have been unable to inform the rest of the world through Twitter the events that were taking place in Tehran. <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009)]" NYTimes.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Cohen, working for Secretary [[Clinton]] under the administration of President [[Barack Obama]], placed himself at odds with official policy which was to avoid the appearance of meddling in the Iranian elections, but according to Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs [[P.J. Crowley]], Cohen was merely asking Twitter to maintain service to a situation that had already started days before this incident. <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009)]" NYTimes.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Selected Bibliography==
Cohen has written two books, which are: <ref> "[http://www.amazon.com/Jared-Cohen/e/B001IXO96E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1287081442&sr=8-1 Jared Cohen: Amazon.com]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

'''Children of Jihad: A Young American's Travel Among the Youth of the Middle East''' (2008) 
'''One Hundred Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide''' (2007) 

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jaredcohen Jared Cohen Twitter Page] 
[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein New Yorker Profile] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile] 
[http://www.state.gov/s/p/115458.htm State Department Profile] 

==Notes==
<references/>

Jared Cohen

2010-11-16T19:48:03Z

Gavin Ross: /* Biography */

==Biography==
Jared Cohen is a former member of staff at the [[United States Department of State]] from 2006 under [[Condoleezza Rice]] <ref>"[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/54/?xmlhttp=true Gen Next Membership Profiles] Gen-Next.org, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> until 2010 under Secretary [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]]. <ref>"[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/09/07/jared_cohen State Department Innovator Jared Cohen goes to Google] ForeignPolicy.com, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> Cohen left the [[State Department]] to take on a new role in [[Google]] as the Director of Google Ideas.

Cohen has a BA from [[Standford University]] and a M.Phil in International Relations from [[Oxford University]] which he attended as a [[Rhodes Scholar]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team] Movements.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> He is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]] and a member of a group called [[Gen Next]] <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next Member Profiles]" Gen-Next.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>, which was set up by fellow co-founder and board member [[Roman Tsunder]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team] Movements.org accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> alongside [[Jason Liebman]] who is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]]. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next Member Profiles]" Gen-Next.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Iran==
Cohen has a keen interest in Iranian affairs. While a graduate at [[Oxford University]], Cohen was able to gain a visa to go to Iran and in his own words, "interview members of the political resistance". <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007)]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It was here he met people of his own age and he says that the youth of Iran are the most pro-American population in the Middle East. <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007)]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>
During the Iranian Presidential Election of 2009, Cohen was again thrust into the media spotlight due to his close relationship with co-founder of the social networking site [[Twitter]], [[Jack Dorsey]]. On the Monday after the disputed Iranian Presidential Election, Cohen asked Dorsey to put off a site maintenance update scheduled as this would have meant that Iranians would have been unable to inform the rest of the world through Twitter the events that were taking place in Tehran. <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009)]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Cohen, working for Secretary [[Clinton]] under the administration of President [[Barack Obama]], placed himself at odds with official policy which was to avoid the appearance of meddling in the Iranian elections, but according to Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs [[P.J. Crowley]], Cohen was merely asking Twitter to maintain service to a situation that had already started days before this incident. <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009)]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Selected Bibliography==
Cohen has written two books, which are: <ref> "[http://www.amazon.com/Jared-Cohen/e/B001IXO96E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1287081442&sr=8-1 Jared Cohen: Amazon.com]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

'''Children of Jihad: A Young American's Travel Among the Youth of the Middle East''' (2008) 
'''One Hundred Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide''' (2007) 

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jaredcohen Jared Cohen Twitter Page] 
[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein New Yorker Profile] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile] 
[http://www.state.gov/s/p/115458.htm State Department Profile] 

==Notes==
<references/>

Globalisation:Jason Liebman

2010-11-16T19:46:14Z

Gavin Ross: /* Biography */

==Biography==
Jason Liebman is a former investment banker at [[Credit Suisse]] and is also a board member and co-founder of the [[Globalisation:Alliance for Youth Movements|Alliance for Youth Movements]]. He is also a co-founder of [[Howcast]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Liebman also worked at [[Applied Semantics]] before [[Google]] purchased it in 2003. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Management Team Profiles]" Howcast.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> After Applied Semanics was purchased by Google, Liebman went on to work for Google for 4 years where he "played an integral role growing strategic content licensing and monetization relationships for the YouTube, Google Video and AdSense teams". <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/86/?xmlhttp=true Gen Next: Member Profile]" Gen-Next.org, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Like his fellow co-founders of the Alliance for Youth Movements, [[Jared Cohen]] and [[Roman Tsunder]], Liebman is a member of the group [[Gen Next]] which was set up by Tsunder. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/ Gen Next: Membership Profiles ]" Gen-Next.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> During the 2008 United States Presidential Election, Liebman donated $5000 to the McCain/Palin Victory 2008 committee on the 3 November 2008 and this money was eventually transferred to the [[Republican National Committee]] on the 31 December 2008. <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/ FEC Individual Contributions List]" FEC.gov, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>
Through this donation, it would appear that Mr Liebman is a [[Republican Party]] supporter.

==Howcast==
Howcast was set up in February 2008 with the intention to provide the "largest - and highest quality - how-to videos on the internet" and has links to companies and public bodies such as the [[State Department]], [[US Department of Defence]], [[Kodak]] and [[Ford]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile]" Movements.org, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Liebman set up Howcast with the help of three other people, which also included his twin sister Darlene. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Howcast Management Team]" www.howcast.org accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Howcast has offices in both San Francisco and New York. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about About Howcast]" Howcast.com, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jasonliebman Jason Liebman's Twitter Page] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Profile on Alliance for Youth Movements] 
[http://www.howcast.com/ Howcast Homepage] 
[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Profile on Howcast] 
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman's article on Digital Diplomacy] 

==Notes==
<references/>

Globalisation:Jason Liebman

2010-11-16T19:45:37Z

Gavin Ross:

==Biography==
Jason Liebman is a former investment banker at [[Credit Suisse]] and is also a board member and co-founder of the [[Globalisation:Alliance for Youth Movements|Alliance for Youth Movements]]. He is also a co-founder of [[Howcast]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Liebman also worked at [[Applied Semantics]] before [[Google]] purchased it in 2003. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Management Team Profiles]" Howcast.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> After Applied Semanics was purchased by Google, Liebman went on to work for Google for 4 years where he "played an integral role growing strategic content licensing and monetization relationships for the YouTube, Google Video and AdSense teams". <ref> "[ http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/86/?xmlhttp=true Gen Next: Member Profile]" Gen-Next.org, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Like his fellow co-founders of the Alliance for Youth Movements, [[Jared Cohen]] and [[Roman Tsunder]], Liebman is a member of the group [[Gen Next]] which was set up by Tsunder. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/ Gen Next: Membership Profiles ]" Gen-Next.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> During the 2008 United States Presidential Election, Liebman donated $5000 to the McCain/Palin Victory 2008 committee on the 3 November 2008 and this money was eventually transferred to the [[Republican National Committee]] on the 31 December 2008. <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/ FEC Individual Contributions List]" FEC.gov, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>
Through this donation, it would appear that Mr Liebman is a [[Republican Party]] supporter.

==Howcast==
Howcast was set up in February 2008 with the intention to provide the "largest - and highest quality - how-to videos on the internet" and has links to companies and public bodies such as the [[State Department]], [[US Department of Defence]], [[Kodak]] and [[Ford]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile]" Movements.org, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Liebman set up Howcast with the help of three other people, which also included his twin sister Darlene. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Howcast Management Team]" www.howcast.org accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Howcast has offices in both San Francisco and New York. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about About Howcast]" Howcast.com, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jasonliebman Jason Liebman's Twitter Page] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Profile on Alliance for Youth Movements] 
[http://www.howcast.com/ Howcast Homepage] 
[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Profile on Howcast] 
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman's article on Digital Diplomacy] 

==Notes==
<references/>

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-16T19:43:50Z

Gavin Ross: /* Criticisms */

The Alliance for Youth Movements is a not-for-profit organisation which is "dedicated to promoting, connecting, and supporting digital activists from around the world." It also hosts annual summits on ways in which to promote digital activism <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/about/ About AYM ]", Movements.org, accessed on 8 November 2010 </ref>.

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with [[MTV]], [[Google]], [[YouTube]], [[Facebook]], [[Howcast]], [[AT&T]], [[Jet Blue]], [[Gen-Next]], [[Access360Media]] and [[Columbia Law School]]. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===
The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
[[Burma Global Action Network]]; 
[[CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba]]; 
[[Fight-Back]]; 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]; 
[[Illuminemos México]]; 
[[Invisible Children]]; 
[[No Más Chávez]]; 
[[One Million People Against Crime in South Africa]]; 
[[One Million Voices Against the FARC]]; 
[[The People's March Against Knife Crime]]; 
[[Raíces de Esperanza]]; 
[[Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights]]; 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]; 
[[To Write Love on Her Arms]]; 
[[Genç Siviller- Young Civilians]]; 
[[Youth for Tolerance]].

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008 New York City 2008]", Movements.org, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about About AYM]", HowCast, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09 Mexico City 2009]", HowCast, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009 Summits: Mexico City 2009]", Movements.org, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit The Summit]", Movements.org, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010. Following the success of the previous Summit in 2009, which was endorsed by Hillary Clinton, this third Summit proved to be the most established and media-followed yet.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top delegates from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx Meet the World's Youth Activists]", Wired.co.uk, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action". <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/2010-summit-in-london 2010 Summit in London]", Movements.org, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

===Controversies===
Although there is seemingly widespread support for the AYM throughout the Western world, some of their activities, and more specifically, some of their alliegances have caused concern for controversy over the last three years.

AYM's support of the Venezuelan anti-presidential movement 'No Más Chávez' is considered to be a disguise of the U.S. State Department's opposition to Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela and critic of American Neoliberalism. The State Department has reportedly funded over $4 million to the Venezuelan private media over the last three years. They use the reason of the right to free speech to defend their actions. They say their objective is to "strengthen independent journalists by providing them with training, technical assistance, materials and greater access to innovative internet-based technologies that expand media coverage and increase their capacity to inform the public on a timely basis about the most critical policy issues impacting Venezuela." <ref>Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010</ref>
However, in Venezuela, there is little evidence of censorship within the media. In fact, there is a wide and fierce anti-Chávez element within the Venezuelan press. However, following the arrest of the president of a TV station opposed to Chávez<ref>Anti-Chávez TV Owner Faces Arrest, The Guardian, 14 June 2010</ref> the pressure, as well as support, has intensified from the U.S.
Nonetheless, AYM's support of a movement opposed to Chávez, who support economic alliegance with the U.S., questions their goals of promoting democracy and freedom, as Hugo Chávez is a democratically elected president.

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching in June 2010<ref>"[http://susannahvila.com/aym Alliance for Youth Movements]", SusannahVila.com, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>, almost two years after the organisation's formation. Previously they used a dedicated page on the [[Jason Liebman]]'s HowCast website as their primary home page. The new website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still under development, however most of the page is working in full functionality. Users are given access to news stories relevant to digital activism straight from the home page. Blogs are consistently posted to the page as well, the main contributers being [[Susannah Vila]] and Brannon Cullum. All the records and resources from each of the three AYM Summits are available on the site also.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team]" Movements.org </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton]" State.gov , accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. Clinton was joined at the sumit by three other anti-Chavez activists. The [[State Department]] has funded journalists and private media in Venezuela with $4 million from 2007 to 2010, part of an annual $40 million funding of anti-Chavez groups <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010
</ref>. The US funds are channelled through three US agencies: [[Panamerican Development Foundation]] (PADF), [[Freedom House]] and the [[US Agency for International Development]] (USAID), the PADF claim it is "dedicated to 'enhancing media freedom and democratic institutions' and training workshops for journalists in the development and use of 'innovative media technologies', due to the alleged 'threats to freedom of ex-pression' and 'the climate of intimidation and self-censorship among journalists and the media'" <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010 </ref>. " Other programs run by the [[State Department]] have selected Venezuelan students and youth to receive training in the use of these new media technologies in order to create what they call a "network of cyber-dissidents" against the Venezuelan Government" <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010
</ref>, this can be connected to the work endorsed by the AYM in Venezuela. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;[[Howcast]], [[Edelman]], [[Google]], [[MTV]], [[MeetUp]], [[Pepsi]], [[CBS News]], [[MobileAccord]], [[YouTube]], [[Facebook]], [[MSNBC]], [[National Geographic]], [[Omnicom]] and [[Access 360 Media]].<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters Alliance for Youth Movement Partners]" Movements.org, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc Summit Activities Guide]" Movements.org, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet". <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/ What is digital diplomacy?]" British Foreign Office, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter! <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590 Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World]", Foreign and Commonwealth Office, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration. Led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], the US [[State Department]] has coined the term "21st Century Statecraft" to describe digital diplomacy <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm 21st Century Statecraft]" U.S. State Department, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full Hillary Clinton on internet freedom ]" Foreign Policy(21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy]" Huffington Post (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>
One of the crucial underpinnings of "21st Century Statecraft" is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]]. <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC']" Metro: 8 February 2010, accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness an anti-FARC sentiment and send a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1 Twitter vs Terror, Senator Richard Lugar]" ForeignPolicy.com (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> Through the 'empowerment' of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories will be available to contrast those that are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010)]" ForeginAffairs.com, accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development". <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full Hillary Clinton on internet freedom]" ForeignPolicy.com (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the idea of digital diplomacy. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, by empowering people to allow more access and freedom online, groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] will be able to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full Hillary Clinton on internet freedom]" ForeignPolicy.com (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the 'mainstream' of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental effect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] technologies such as mobile phones that have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010)]" ForeignAffairs.com, accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This shows then that instead of freeing the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 

A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks, in 2010, released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan War. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1 Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil]" NYTimes.com (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> These unprecedented leaks have lead to criticism from the US Government and groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton of Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States. <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/ Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? Charles Whiton]" FoxNews.com (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] for Presidents [[Bill Clinton]] and [[George W. Bush]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure. <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html The age of cyber war has arrived, Richard Clarke]" MontrealGazette.com (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy more difficult as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information more places may be at danger if hackers have the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 

There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. 

The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft", has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War. <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War, Evgeny Morozov]" ForeignPolicy.com (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War, Evgeny Morozov]" ForeignPolicy.com (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and at the time State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period. <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering]" Mediabistro.com (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China. <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm Bypassing China's net firewall]" BBC.co.uk (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> 

In America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet]" NYTimes.com (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This would seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which in the long-term harm internet freedom. 

Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It Susannah Vila]" HuffingtonPost.com (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/ The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism, Sami Ben Gharbia]" samibengharbia.com (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would just seem that a process of hegemony was taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century Statecraft" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades. <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft, Evgeny Morozov]" ForeignPolicy.com (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case the internet - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Jack Dorsey]] and [[Jason Liebman]]. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy, Jason Liebman]" HuffingtonPost.com (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that they originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community. This criticism is not then merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers in this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-16T19:34:07Z

Gavin Ross: /* Digital Diplomacy */

The Alliance for Youth Movements is a not-for-profit organisation which is "dedicated to promoting, connecting, and supporting digital activists from around the world." It also hosts annual summits on ways in which to promote digital activism <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/about/ About AYM ]", Movements.org, accessed on 8 November 2010 </ref>.

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with [[MTV]], [[Google]], [[YouTube]], [[Facebook]], [[Howcast]], [[AT&T]], [[Jet Blue]], [[Gen-Next]], [[Access360Media]] and [[Columbia Law School]]. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===
The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
[[Burma Global Action Network]]; 
[[CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba]]; 
[[Fight-Back]]; 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]; 
[[Illuminemos México]]; 
[[Invisible Children]]; 
[[No Más Chávez]]; 
[[One Million People Against Crime in South Africa]]; 
[[One Million Voices Against the FARC]]; 
[[The People's March Against Knife Crime]]; 
[[Raíces de Esperanza]]; 
[[Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights]]; 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]; 
[[To Write Love on Her Arms]]; 
[[Genç Siviller- Young Civilians]]; 
[[Youth for Tolerance]].

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008 New York City 2008]", Movements.org, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about About AYM]", HowCast, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09 Mexico City 2009]", HowCast, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009 Summits: Mexico City 2009]", Movements.org, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit The Summit]", Movements.org, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010. Following the success of the previous Summit in 2009, which was endorsed by Hillary Clinton, this third Summit proved to be the most established and media-followed yet.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top delegates from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx Meet the World's Youth Activists]", Wired.co.uk, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action". <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/2010-summit-in-london 2010 Summit in London]", Movements.org, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

===Controversies===
Although there is seemingly widespread support for the AYM throughout the Western world, some of their activities, and more specifically, some of their alliegances have caused concern for controversy over the last three years.

AYM's support of the Venezuelan anti-presidential movement 'No Más Chávez' is considered to be a disguise of the U.S. State Department's opposition to Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela and critic of American Neoliberalism. The State Department has reportedly funded over $4 million to the Venezuelan private media over the last three years. They use the reason of the right to free speech to defend their actions. They say their objective is to "strengthen independent journalists by providing them with training, technical assistance, materials and greater access to innovative internet-based technologies that expand media coverage and increase their capacity to inform the public on a timely basis about the most critical policy issues impacting Venezuela." <ref>Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010</ref>
However, in Venezuela, there is little evidence of censorship within the media. In fact, there is a wide and fierce anti-Chávez element within the Venezuelan press. However, following the arrest of the president of a TV station opposed to Chávez<ref>Anti-Chávez TV Owner Faces Arrest, The Guardian, 14 June 2010</ref> the pressure, as well as support, has intensified from the U.S.
Nonetheless, AYM's support of a movement opposed to Chávez, who support economic alliegance with the U.S., questions their goals of promoting democracy and freedom, as Hugo Chávez is a democratically elected president.

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching in June 2010<ref>"[http://susannahvila.com/aym Alliance for Youth Movements]", SusannahVila.com, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>, almost two years after the organisation's formation. Previously they used a dedicated page on the [[Jason Liebman]]'s HowCast website as their primary home page. The new website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still under development, however most of the page is working in full functionality. Users are given access to news stories relevant to digital activism straight from the home page. Blogs are consistently posted to the page as well, the main contributers being [[Susannah Vila]] and Brannon Cullum. All the records and resources from each of the three AYM Summits are available on the site also.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team]" Movements.org </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton]" State.gov , accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. Clinton was joined at the sumit by three other anti-Chavez activists. The [[State Department]] has funded journalists and private media in Venezuela with $4 million from 2007 to 2010, part of an annual $40 million funding of anti-Chavez groups <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010
</ref>. The US funds are channelled through three US agencies: [[Panamerican Development Foundation]] (PADF), [[Freedom House]] and the [[US Agency for International Development]] (USAID), the PADF claim it is "dedicated to 'enhancing media freedom and democratic institutions' and training workshops for journalists in the development and use of 'innovative media technologies', due to the alleged 'threats to freedom of ex-pression' and 'the climate of intimidation and self-censorship among journalists and the media'" <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010 </ref>. " Other programs run by the [[State Department]] have selected Venezuelan students and youth to receive training in the use of these new media technologies in order to create what they call a "network of cyber-dissidents" against the Venezuelan Government" <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010
</ref>, this can be connected to the work endorsed by the AYM in Venezuela. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;[[Howcast]], [[Edelman]], [[Google]], [[MTV]], [[MeetUp]], [[Pepsi]], [[CBS News]], [[MobileAccord]], [[YouTube]], [[Facebook]], [[MSNBC]], [[National Geographic]], [[Omnicom]] and [[Access 360 Media]].<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters Alliance for Youth Movement Partners]" Movements.org, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc Summit Activities Guide]" Movements.org, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet". <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/ What is digital diplomacy?]" British Foreign Office, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter! <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590 Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World]", Foreign and Commonwealth Office, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration. Led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], the US [[State Department]] has coined the term "21st Century Statecraft" to describe digital diplomacy <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm 21st Century Statecraft]" U.S. State Department, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full Hillary Clinton on internet freedom ]" Foreign Policy(21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy]" Huffington Post (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>
One of the crucial underpinnings of "21st Century Statecraft" is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]]. <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC']" Metro: 8 February 2010, accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness an anti-FARC sentiment and send a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1 Twitter vs Terror, Senator Richard Lugar]" ForeignPolicy.com (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> Through the 'empowerment' of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories will be available to contrast those that are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010)]" ForeginAffairs.com, accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development". <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full Hillary Clinton on internet freedom]" ForeignPolicy.com (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the idea of digital diplomacy. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, by empowering people to allow more access and freedom online, groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] will be able to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the 'mainstream' of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental effect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] technologies such as mobile phones that have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This shows then that instead of freeing the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 

A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks, in 2010, released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan War. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1]" New York Times: Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> These unprecedented leaks have lead to criticism from the US Government and groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton of Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States. <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/]" FoxNews.com: Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] for Presidents [[Bill Clinton]] and [[George W. Bush]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure. <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html]" The age of cyber war has arrived (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy more difficult as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information more places may be at danger if hackers have the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 

There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. 

The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft", has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War. <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and at the time State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period. <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp]" Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China. <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm]" BBC News: Bypassing China's net firewall (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> 

In America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA]" NYTimes.com: US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This would seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which in the long-term harm internet freedom. 

Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html]" Huffington Post: The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/]" The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would just seem that a process of hegemony was taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century Statecraft" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades. <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft]" The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case the internet - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Jack Dorsey]] and [[Jason Liebman]]. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Huffington Post: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that they originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community. This criticism is not then merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers in this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-16T19:31:00Z

Gavin Ross: /* Activities */

The Alliance for Youth Movements is a not-for-profit organisation which is "dedicated to promoting, connecting, and supporting digital activists from around the world." It also hosts annual summits on ways in which to promote digital activism <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/about/ About AYM ]", Movements.org, accessed on 8 November 2010 </ref>.

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with [[MTV]], [[Google]], [[YouTube]], [[Facebook]], [[Howcast]], [[AT&T]], [[Jet Blue]], [[Gen-Next]], [[Access360Media]] and [[Columbia Law School]]. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===
The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
[[Burma Global Action Network]]; 
[[CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba]]; 
[[Fight-Back]]; 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]; 
[[Illuminemos México]]; 
[[Invisible Children]]; 
[[No Más Chávez]]; 
[[One Million People Against Crime in South Africa]]; 
[[One Million Voices Against the FARC]]; 
[[The People's March Against Knife Crime]]; 
[[Raíces de Esperanza]]; 
[[Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights]]; 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]; 
[[To Write Love on Her Arms]]; 
[[Genç Siviller- Young Civilians]]; 
[[Youth for Tolerance]].

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008 New York City 2008]", Movements.org, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about About AYM]", HowCast, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09 Mexico City 2009]", HowCast, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009 Summits: Mexico City 2009]", Movements.org, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit The Summit]", Movements.org, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010. Following the success of the previous Summit in 2009, which was endorsed by Hillary Clinton, this third Summit proved to be the most established and media-followed yet.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top delegates from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx Meet the World's Youth Activists]", Wired.co.uk, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action". <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/2010-summit-in-london 2010 Summit in London]", Movements.org, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

===Controversies===
Although there is seemingly widespread support for the AYM throughout the Western world, some of their activities, and more specifically, some of their alliegances have caused concern for controversy over the last three years.

AYM's support of the Venezuelan anti-presidential movement 'No Más Chávez' is considered to be a disguise of the U.S. State Department's opposition to Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela and critic of American Neoliberalism. The State Department has reportedly funded over $4 million to the Venezuelan private media over the last three years. They use the reason of the right to free speech to defend their actions. They say their objective is to "strengthen independent journalists by providing them with training, technical assistance, materials and greater access to innovative internet-based technologies that expand media coverage and increase their capacity to inform the public on a timely basis about the most critical policy issues impacting Venezuela." <ref>Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010</ref>
However, in Venezuela, there is little evidence of censorship within the media. In fact, there is a wide and fierce anti-Chávez element within the Venezuelan press. However, following the arrest of the president of a TV station opposed to Chávez<ref>Anti-Chávez TV Owner Faces Arrest, The Guardian, 14 June 2010</ref> the pressure, as well as support, has intensified from the U.S.
Nonetheless, AYM's support of a movement opposed to Chávez, who support economic alliegance with the U.S., questions their goals of promoting democracy and freedom, as Hugo Chávez is a democratically elected president.

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching in June 2010<ref>"[http://susannahvila.com/aym Alliance for Youth Movements]", SusannahVila.com, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>, almost two years after the organisation's formation. Previously they used a dedicated page on the [[Jason Liebman]]'s HowCast website as their primary home page. The new website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still under development, however most of the page is working in full functionality. Users are given access to news stories relevant to digital activism straight from the home page. Blogs are consistently posted to the page as well, the main contributers being [[Susannah Vila]] and Brannon Cullum. All the records and resources from each of the three AYM Summits are available on the site also.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team]" Movements.org </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton]" State.gov , accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. Clinton was joined at the sumit by three other anti-Chavez activists. The [[State Department]] has funded journalists and private media in Venezuela with $4 million from 2007 to 2010, part of an annual $40 million funding of anti-Chavez groups <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010
</ref>. The US funds are channelled through three US agencies: [[Panamerican Development Foundation]] (PADF), [[Freedom House]] and the [[US Agency for International Development]] (USAID), the PADF claim it is "dedicated to 'enhancing media freedom and democratic institutions' and training workshops for journalists in the development and use of 'innovative media technologies', due to the alleged 'threats to freedom of ex-pression' and 'the climate of intimidation and self-censorship among journalists and the media'" <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010 </ref>. " Other programs run by the [[State Department]] have selected Venezuelan students and youth to receive training in the use of these new media technologies in order to create what they call a "network of cyber-dissidents" against the Venezuelan Government" <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010
</ref>, this can be connected to the work endorsed by the AYM in Venezuela. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;[[Howcast]], [[Edelman]], [[Google]], [[MTV]], [[MeetUp]], [[Pepsi]], [[CBS News]], [[MobileAccord]], [[YouTube]], [[Facebook]], [[MSNBC]], [[National Geographic]], [[Omnicom]] and [[Access 360 Media]].<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters Alliance for Youth Movement Partners]" Movements.org, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc Summit Activities Guide]" Movements.org, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet". <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/ What is digital diplomacy?]" British Foreign Office, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter! <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590 Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World]", Foreign and Commonwealth Office, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration. Led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], the US [[State Department]] has coined the term "21st Century Statecraft" to describe digital diplomacy <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm 21st Century Statecraft]" U.S. State Department, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full Hillary Clinton on internet freedom ]" Foreign Policy(21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy]" Huffington Post (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>
One of the crucial underpinnings of "21st Century Statecraft" is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]]. <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc]" Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC' (Metro: 8 February 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness an anti-FARC sentiment and send a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1]" Twitter vs Terror (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> Through the 'empowerment' of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories will be available to contrast those that are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development". <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom, accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the idea of digital diplomacy. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, by empowering people to allow more access and freedom online, groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] will be able to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the 'mainstream' of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental effect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] technologies such as mobile phones that have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This shows then that instead of freeing the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 

A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks, in 2010, released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan War. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1]" New York Times: Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> These unprecedented leaks have lead to criticism from the US Government and groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton of Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States. <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/]" FoxNews.com: Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] for Presidents [[Bill Clinton]] and [[George W. Bush]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure. <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html]" The age of cyber war has arrived (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy more difficult as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information more places may be at danger if hackers have the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 

There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. 

The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft", has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War. <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and at the time State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period. <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp]" Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China. <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm]" BBC News: Bypassing China's net firewall (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> 

In America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA]" NYTimes.com: US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This would seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which in the long-term harm internet freedom. 

Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html]" Huffington Post: The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/]" The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would just seem that a process of hegemony was taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century Statecraft" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades. <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft]" The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case the internet - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Jack Dorsey]] and [[Jason Liebman]]. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Huffington Post: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that they originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community. This criticism is not then merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers in this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-16T19:29:53Z

Gavin Ross: /* Funding */

The Alliance for Youth Movements is a not-for-profit organisation which is "dedicated to promoting, connecting, and supporting digital activists from around the world." It also hosts annual summits on ways in which to promote digital activism <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/about/ About AYM ]", Movements.org, accessed on 8 November 2010 </ref>.

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with [[MTV]], [[Google]], [[YouTube]], [[Facebook]], [[Howcast]], [[AT&T]], [[Jet Blue]], [[Gen-Next]], [[Access360Media]] and [[Columbia Law School]]. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===
The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
[[Burma Global Action Network]]; 
[[CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba]]; 
[[Fight-Back]]; 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]; 
[[Illuminemos México]]; 
[[Invisible Children]]; 
[[No Más Chávez]]; 
[[One Million People Against Crime in South Africa]]; 
[[One Million Voices Against the FARC]]; 
[[The People's March Against Knife Crime]]; 
[[Raíces de Esperanza]]; 
[[Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights]]; 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]; 
[[To Write Love on Her Arms]]; 
[[Genç Siviller- Young Civilians]]; 
[[Youth for Tolerance]].

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008 New York City 2008]", Movements.org, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about About AYM]", HowCast, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09 Mexico City 2009]", HowCast, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009 Summits: Mexico City 2009]", Movements.org, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit The Summit]", Movements.org, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010. Following the success of the previous Summit in 2009, which was endorsed by Hillary Clinton, this third Summit proved to be the most established and media-followed yet.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top delegates from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx Meet the World's Youth Activists]", Wired.co.uk, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action". <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/2010-summit-in-london 2010 Summit in London]", Movements.org, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

===Controversies===
Although there is seemingly widespread support for the AYM throughout the Western world, some of their activities, and more specifically, some of their alliegances have caused concern for controversy over the last three years.

AYM's support of the Venezuelan anti-presidential movement 'No Más Chávez' is considered to be a disguise of the U.S. State Department's opposition to Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela and critic of American Neoliberalism. The State Department has reportedly funded over $4 million to the Venezuelan private media over the last three years. They use the reason of the right to free speech to defend their actions. They say their objective is to "strengthen independent journalists by providing them with training, technical assistance, materials and greater access to innovative internet-based technologies that expand media coverage and increase their capacity to inform the public on a timely basis about the most critical policy issues impacting Venezuela." <ref>Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010</ref>
However, in Venezuela, there is little evidence of censorship within the media. In fact, there is a wide and fierce anti-Chávez element within the Venezuelan press. However, following the arrest of the president of a TV station opposed to Chávez<ref>Anti-Chávez TV Owner Faces Arrest, The Guardian, 14 June 2010</ref> the pressure, as well as support, has intensified from the U.S.
Nonetheless, AYM's support of a movement opposed to Chávez, who support economic alliegance with the U.S., questions their goals of promoting democracy and freedom, as Hugo Chávez is a democratically elected president.

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching in June 2010<ref>"[http://susannahvila.com/aym Alliance for Youth Movements]", SusannahVila.com, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>, almost two years after the organisation's formation. Previously they used a dedicated page on the [[Jason Liebman]]'s HowCast website as their primary home page. The new website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still under development, however most of the page is working in full functionality. Users are given access to news stories relevant to digital activism straight from the home page. Blogs are consistently posted to the page as well, the main contributers being [[Susannah Vila]] and Brannon Cullum. All the records and resources from each of the three AYM Summits are available on the site also.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team]" Movements.org </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton]" State.gov , accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. Clinton was joined at the sumit by three other anti-Chavez activists. The [[State Department]] has funded journalists and private media in Venezuela with $4 million from 2007 to 2010, part of an annual $40 million funding of anti-Chavez groups <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010
</ref>. The US funds are channelled through three US agencies: [[Panamerican Development Foundation]] (PADF), [[Freedom House]] and the [[US Agency for International Development]] (USAID), the PADF claim it is "dedicated to 'enhancing media freedom and democratic institutions' and training workshops for journalists in the development and use of 'innovative media technologies', due to the alleged 'threats to freedom of ex-pression' and 'the climate of intimidation and self-censorship among journalists and the media'" <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010 </ref>. " Other programs run by the [[State Department]] have selected Venezuelan students and youth to receive training in the use of these new media technologies in order to create what they call a "network of cyber-dissidents" against the Venezuelan Government" <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010
</ref>, this can be connected to the work endorsed by the AYM in Venezuela. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;[[Howcast]], [[Edelman]], [[Google]], [[MTV]], [[MeetUp]], [[Pepsi]], [[CBS News]], [[MobileAccord]], [[YouTube]], [[Facebook]], [[MSNBC]], [[National Geographic]], [[Omnicom]] and [[Access 360 Media]].<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters Alliance for Youth Movement Partners]" Movements.org, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc]" Summit Activities Guide, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet". <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/ What is digital diplomacy?]" British Foreign Office, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter! <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590 Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World]", Foreign and Commonwealth Office, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration. Led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], the US [[State Department]] has coined the term "21st Century Statecraft" to describe digital diplomacy <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm 21st Century Statecraft]" U.S. State Department, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full Hillary Clinton on internet freedom ]" Foreign Policy(21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy]" Huffington Post (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>
One of the crucial underpinnings of "21st Century Statecraft" is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]]. <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc]" Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC' (Metro: 8 February 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness an anti-FARC sentiment and send a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1]" Twitter vs Terror (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> Through the 'empowerment' of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories will be available to contrast those that are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development". <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom, accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the idea of digital diplomacy. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, by empowering people to allow more access and freedom online, groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] will be able to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the 'mainstream' of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental effect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] technologies such as mobile phones that have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This shows then that instead of freeing the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 

A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks, in 2010, released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan War. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1]" New York Times: Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> These unprecedented leaks have lead to criticism from the US Government and groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton of Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States. <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/]" FoxNews.com: Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] for Presidents [[Bill Clinton]] and [[George W. Bush]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure. <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html]" The age of cyber war has arrived (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy more difficult as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information more places may be at danger if hackers have the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 

There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. 

The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft", has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War. <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and at the time State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period. <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp]" Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China. <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm]" BBC News: Bypassing China's net firewall (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> 

In America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA]" NYTimes.com: US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This would seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which in the long-term harm internet freedom. 

Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html]" Huffington Post: The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/]" The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would just seem that a process of hegemony was taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century Statecraft" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades. <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft]" The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case the internet - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Jack Dorsey]] and [[Jason Liebman]]. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Huffington Post: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that they originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community. This criticism is not then merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers in this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-16T19:29:06Z

Gavin Ross: /* Team */

The Alliance for Youth Movements is a not-for-profit organisation which is "dedicated to promoting, connecting, and supporting digital activists from around the world." It also hosts annual summits on ways in which to promote digital activism <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/about/ About AYM ]", Movements.org, accessed on 8 November 2010 </ref>.

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with [[MTV]], [[Google]], [[YouTube]], [[Facebook]], [[Howcast]], [[AT&T]], [[Jet Blue]], [[Gen-Next]], [[Access360Media]] and [[Columbia Law School]]. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===
The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
[[Burma Global Action Network]]; 
[[CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba]]; 
[[Fight-Back]]; 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]; 
[[Illuminemos México]]; 
[[Invisible Children]]; 
[[No Más Chávez]]; 
[[One Million People Against Crime in South Africa]]; 
[[One Million Voices Against the FARC]]; 
[[The People's March Against Knife Crime]]; 
[[Raíces de Esperanza]]; 
[[Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights]]; 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]; 
[[To Write Love on Her Arms]]; 
[[Genç Siviller- Young Civilians]]; 
[[Youth for Tolerance]].

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008 New York City 2008]", Movements.org, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about About AYM]", HowCast, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09 Mexico City 2009]", HowCast, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009 Summits: Mexico City 2009]", Movements.org, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit The Summit]", Movements.org, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010. Following the success of the previous Summit in 2009, which was endorsed by Hillary Clinton, this third Summit proved to be the most established and media-followed yet.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top delegates from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx Meet the World's Youth Activists]", Wired.co.uk, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action". <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/2010-summit-in-london 2010 Summit in London]", Movements.org, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

===Controversies===
Although there is seemingly widespread support for the AYM throughout the Western world, some of their activities, and more specifically, some of their alliegances have caused concern for controversy over the last three years.

AYM's support of the Venezuelan anti-presidential movement 'No Más Chávez' is considered to be a disguise of the U.S. State Department's opposition to Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela and critic of American Neoliberalism. The State Department has reportedly funded over $4 million to the Venezuelan private media over the last three years. They use the reason of the right to free speech to defend their actions. They say their objective is to "strengthen independent journalists by providing them with training, technical assistance, materials and greater access to innovative internet-based technologies that expand media coverage and increase their capacity to inform the public on a timely basis about the most critical policy issues impacting Venezuela." <ref>Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010</ref>
However, in Venezuela, there is little evidence of censorship within the media. In fact, there is a wide and fierce anti-Chávez element within the Venezuelan press. However, following the arrest of the president of a TV station opposed to Chávez<ref>Anti-Chávez TV Owner Faces Arrest, The Guardian, 14 June 2010</ref> the pressure, as well as support, has intensified from the U.S.
Nonetheless, AYM's support of a movement opposed to Chávez, who support economic alliegance with the U.S., questions their goals of promoting democracy and freedom, as Hugo Chávez is a democratically elected president.

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching in June 2010<ref>"[http://susannahvila.com/aym Alliance for Youth Movements]", SusannahVila.com, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>, almost two years after the organisation's formation. Previously they used a dedicated page on the [[Jason Liebman]]'s HowCast website as their primary home page. The new website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still under development, however most of the page is working in full functionality. Users are given access to news stories relevant to digital activism straight from the home page. Blogs are consistently posted to the page as well, the main contributers being [[Susannah Vila]] and Brannon Cullum. All the records and resources from each of the three AYM Summits are available on the site also.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team]" Movements.org </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton]" , accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. Clinton was joined at the sumit by three other anti-Chavez activists. The [[State Department]] has funded journalists and private media in Venezuela with $4 million from 2007 to 2010, part of an annual $40 million funding of anti-Chavez groups <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010
</ref>. The US funds are channelled through three US agencies: [[Panamerican Development Foundation]] (PADF), [[Freedom House]] and the [[US Agency for International Development]] (USAID), the PADF claim it is "dedicated to 'enhancing media freedom and democratic institutions' and training workshops for journalists in the development and use of 'innovative media technologies', due to the alleged 'threats to freedom of ex-pression' and 'the climate of intimidation and self-censorship among journalists and the media'" <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010 </ref>. " Other programs run by the [[State Department]] have selected Venezuelan students and youth to receive training in the use of these new media technologies in order to create what they call a "network of cyber-dissidents" against the Venezuelan Government" <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010
</ref>, this can be connected to the work endorsed by the AYM in Venezuela. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;[[Howcast]], [[Edelman]], [[Google]], [[MTV]], [[MeetUp]], [[Pepsi]], [[CBS News]], [[MobileAccord]], [[YouTube]], [[Facebook]], [[MSNBC]], [[National Geographic]], [[Omnicom]] and [[Access 360 Media]].<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters Alliance for Youth Movement Partners]", accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc]" Summit Activities Guide, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet". <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/ What is digital diplomacy?]" British Foreign Office, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter! <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590 Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World]", Foreign and Commonwealth Office, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration. Led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], the US [[State Department]] has coined the term "21st Century Statecraft" to describe digital diplomacy <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm 21st Century Statecraft]" U.S. State Department, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full Hillary Clinton on internet freedom ]" Foreign Policy(21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy]" Huffington Post (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>
One of the crucial underpinnings of "21st Century Statecraft" is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]]. <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc]" Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC' (Metro: 8 February 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness an anti-FARC sentiment and send a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1]" Twitter vs Terror (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> Through the 'empowerment' of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories will be available to contrast those that are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development". <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom, accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the idea of digital diplomacy. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, by empowering people to allow more access and freedom online, groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] will be able to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the 'mainstream' of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental effect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] technologies such as mobile phones that have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This shows then that instead of freeing the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 

A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks, in 2010, released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan War. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1]" New York Times: Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> These unprecedented leaks have lead to criticism from the US Government and groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton of Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States. <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/]" FoxNews.com: Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] for Presidents [[Bill Clinton]] and [[George W. Bush]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure. <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html]" The age of cyber war has arrived (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy more difficult as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information more places may be at danger if hackers have the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 

There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. 

The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft", has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War. <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and at the time State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period. <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp]" Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China. <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm]" BBC News: Bypassing China's net firewall (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> 

In America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA]" NYTimes.com: US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This would seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which in the long-term harm internet freedom. 

Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html]" Huffington Post: The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/]" The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would just seem that a process of hegemony was taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century Statecraft" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades. <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft]" The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case the internet - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Jack Dorsey]] and [[Jason Liebman]]. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Huffington Post: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that they originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community. This criticism is not then merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers in this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-16T19:28:29Z

Gavin Ross: /* Funding */

The Alliance for Youth Movements is a not-for-profit organisation which is "dedicated to promoting, connecting, and supporting digital activists from around the world." It also hosts annual summits on ways in which to promote digital activism <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/about/ About AYM ]", Movements.org, accessed on 8 November 2010 </ref>.

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with [[MTV]], [[Google]], [[YouTube]], [[Facebook]], [[Howcast]], [[AT&T]], [[Jet Blue]], [[Gen-Next]], [[Access360Media]] and [[Columbia Law School]]. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===
The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
[[Burma Global Action Network]]; 
[[CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba]]; 
[[Fight-Back]]; 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]; 
[[Illuminemos México]]; 
[[Invisible Children]]; 
[[No Más Chávez]]; 
[[One Million People Against Crime in South Africa]]; 
[[One Million Voices Against the FARC]]; 
[[The People's March Against Knife Crime]]; 
[[Raíces de Esperanza]]; 
[[Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights]]; 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]; 
[[To Write Love on Her Arms]]; 
[[Genç Siviller- Young Civilians]]; 
[[Youth for Tolerance]].

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008 New York City 2008]", Movements.org, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about About AYM]", HowCast, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09 Mexico City 2009]", HowCast, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009 Summits: Mexico City 2009]", Movements.org, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit The Summit]", Movements.org, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010. Following the success of the previous Summit in 2009, which was endorsed by Hillary Clinton, this third Summit proved to be the most established and media-followed yet.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top delegates from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx Meet the World's Youth Activists]", Wired.co.uk, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action". <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/2010-summit-in-london 2010 Summit in London]", Movements.org, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

===Controversies===
Although there is seemingly widespread support for the AYM throughout the Western world, some of their activities, and more specifically, some of their alliegances have caused concern for controversy over the last three years.

AYM's support of the Venezuelan anti-presidential movement 'No Más Chávez' is considered to be a disguise of the U.S. State Department's opposition to Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela and critic of American Neoliberalism. The State Department has reportedly funded over $4 million to the Venezuelan private media over the last three years. They use the reason of the right to free speech to defend their actions. They say their objective is to "strengthen independent journalists by providing them with training, technical assistance, materials and greater access to innovative internet-based technologies that expand media coverage and increase their capacity to inform the public on a timely basis about the most critical policy issues impacting Venezuela." <ref>Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010</ref>
However, in Venezuela, there is little evidence of censorship within the media. In fact, there is a wide and fierce anti-Chávez element within the Venezuelan press. However, following the arrest of the president of a TV station opposed to Chávez<ref>Anti-Chávez TV Owner Faces Arrest, The Guardian, 14 June 2010</ref> the pressure, as well as support, has intensified from the U.S.
Nonetheless, AYM's support of a movement opposed to Chávez, who support economic alliegance with the U.S., questions their goals of promoting democracy and freedom, as Hugo Chávez is a democratically elected president.

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching in June 2010<ref>"[http://susannahvila.com/aym Alliance for Youth Movements]", SusannahVila.com, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>, almost two years after the organisation's formation. Previously they used a dedicated page on the [[Jason Liebman]]'s HowCast website as their primary home page. The new website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still under development, however most of the page is working in full functionality. Users are given access to news stories relevant to digital activism straight from the home page. Blogs are consistently posted to the page as well, the main contributers being [[Susannah Vila]] and Brannon Cullum. All the records and resources from each of the three AYM Summits are available on the site also.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements: Team </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton]" , accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. Clinton was joined at the sumit by three other anti-Chavez activists. The [[State Department]] has funded journalists and private media in Venezuela with $4 million from 2007 to 2010, part of an annual $40 million funding of anti-Chavez groups <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010
</ref>. The US funds are channelled through three US agencies: [[Panamerican Development Foundation]] (PADF), [[Freedom House]] and the [[US Agency for International Development]] (USAID), the PADF claim it is "dedicated to 'enhancing media freedom and democratic institutions' and training workshops for journalists in the development and use of 'innovative media technologies', due to the alleged 'threats to freedom of ex-pression' and 'the climate of intimidation and self-censorship among journalists and the media'" <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010 </ref>. " Other programs run by the [[State Department]] have selected Venezuelan students and youth to receive training in the use of these new media technologies in order to create what they call a "network of cyber-dissidents" against the Venezuelan Government" <ref> Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010
</ref>, this can be connected to the work endorsed by the AYM in Venezuela. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;[[Howcast]], [[Edelman]], [[Google]], [[MTV]], [[MeetUp]], [[Pepsi]], [[CBS News]], [[MobileAccord]], [[YouTube]], [[Facebook]], [[MSNBC]], [[National Geographic]], [[Omnicom]] and [[Access 360 Media]].<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters Alliance for Youth Movement Partners]", accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc]" Summit Activities Guide, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet". <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/ What is digital diplomacy?]" British Foreign Office, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter! <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590 Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World]", Foreign and Commonwealth Office, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration. Led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], the US [[State Department]] has coined the term "21st Century Statecraft" to describe digital diplomacy <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm 21st Century Statecraft]" U.S. State Department, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full Hillary Clinton on internet freedom ]" Foreign Policy(21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy]" Huffington Post (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>
One of the crucial underpinnings of "21st Century Statecraft" is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]]. <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc]" Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC' (Metro: 8 February 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness an anti-FARC sentiment and send a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1]" Twitter vs Terror (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> Through the 'empowerment' of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories will be available to contrast those that are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development". <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom, accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the idea of digital diplomacy. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, by empowering people to allow more access and freedom online, groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] will be able to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the 'mainstream' of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental effect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] technologies such as mobile phones that have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This shows then that instead of freeing the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 

A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks, in 2010, released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan War. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1]" New York Times: Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> These unprecedented leaks have lead to criticism from the US Government and groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton of Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States. <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/]" FoxNews.com: Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] for Presidents [[Bill Clinton]] and [[George W. Bush]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure. <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html]" The age of cyber war has arrived (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy more difficult as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information more places may be at danger if hackers have the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 

There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. 

The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft", has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War. <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and at the time State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period. <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp]" Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China. <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm]" BBC News: Bypassing China's net firewall (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> 

In America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA]" NYTimes.com: US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This would seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which in the long-term harm internet freedom. 

Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html]" Huffington Post: The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/]" The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would just seem that a process of hegemony was taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century Statecraft" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades. <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft]" The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case the internet - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Jack Dorsey]] and [[Jason Liebman]]. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Huffington Post: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that they originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community. This criticism is not then merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers in this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Globalisation:Rachel Silver

2010-11-16T15:53:55Z

Gavin Ross:

Rachel Jo Silver is the Development and Corporate Partnerships Manager for the Alliance for Youth Movements (AYM). She has a joint Masters Degree in International Affairs, Conflict Resolution, and Civil Society Development from the American University of Paris and L’Institut Catholique de Paris. She previously worked for Howcast Media and currently works for various other non-profit organisations such as the One Voice Movement.<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Team]" [[www.movements.org]], accessed 26 October 2010</ref>

===Work For Alliance for Youth Movements===
Whilst working for Howcast Media, created by AYM co-founder Jason Liebman, Silver was significantly influential in the organisation of the three annual AYM summits taken place so far, in New York, Mexico City and London respectively.

==Notes==
<references/>

Susannah Vila

2010-11-16T15:52:59Z

Gavin Ross:

Susannah Vila is the Director of Content and Outreach for [[Movements.org]]. She has a Masters Degree in Political Science from Columbia University, USA.

As well as her work for [[Globalisation:Alliance for Youth Movements|Alliance for Youth Movements]](AYM), she writes for various other established websites, often on the role of technology in Global Politics. She also works with individuals and organizations looking to harness digital tools for greater impact as a trainer and colsuntant.<ref>"[http://susannahvila.com/aym SusannahVilla.com]" [[susannahvilla.com]], accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

===Work for Alliance for Youths Movement===
Susannah works for AYM as the Director of Content and Outreach on their official website, Movements.org.
She reguarly contributes articles to the website on current world events which relate to the role of Digital Activism in politics.<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements - Team]" [[www.movements.org]], accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

As the focus of her Degree would suggest, many of Susannah's own blogs on the site are based on corruption in Latin American countries, as well as reports on India, the US and any prominent news stories relating to digital diplomacy or repression.<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/blog/ Alliance for Youth Movements - The Blog]" [[www.movements.org]], accessed 7 November 2010</ref>

===Media Work===
Susannah Vila began her media career as a fact-checker, researcher and writer at The Nation Magazine. From here she moved to CBS news, where she held the same positions as she had in her previous post. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements - Team]" [[www.movements.org]], accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

She currently reports for Global Voices Online, which she has been involved with sine February 2010, covering the political situation in Cuba, specifically on infringments of human rights.<ref>"[http://globalvoicesonline.org/author/susannah-vila/ Global Voices Online]" [[globalvoicesonline.org]], accessed 7 November 2010</ref>

Her most notable individual achievement in terms of media work, is the establishment of the website NYC.is. This is a blog-based website in which New Yorkers are welcome to make news-related posts which can then be shared and rated by other users.<ref>"[http://nyfi.observer.com/media/332/new-web-site-nycis NYFI - NYC.is, Curated by NYC]" [[nyfi.observer.com]], accessed 7 November 2010</ref>
Susannah Vila herself believes that its unique aspect of user-controlled local news will become a popular medium of internet press media: "NYC.is will, I hope, become the place to publish, share and rate community, civic and citizen journalism about neighborhoods in the five boroughs. There is no barrier to entry which, in addition to the self-curating aspect, is what sets us apart."<ref>"[http://blog.metaprinter.com/2009/07/interview-with-nyc-is-founder-susannah-vila/ Metaprinter - Interview With NYC.is Founder Susannah Vila]" [[blog.metaprinter.com]], accessed 8 November 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Gen Next

2010-11-16T15:49:13Z

Gavin Ross: /* Selected Members */

==History==
Gen Next is an "exclusive, Membership-driven organization of successful and committed individuals aimed at overcoming generational challenges in three areas: economic growth, education and international security". <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/about/overview/ Gen Next: Overview]" [[www.gen-next.org]], accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It was co-founded by [[Alliance for Youth Movement]] co-founder [[Roman Tsunder]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profiles]" [[www.movements.org]], accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Members are only admitted after being invited to join and pay a $10,000 annual contribution. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Member Profiles]" [[www.gen-next.org]], accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> To be invited to join Gen Next, you are first required to have been nominated by two active members of the group. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Become a Member]" [[www.gen-next]], accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It would also appear that the political affiliation of Gen Next is of a [[Republican]] nature, as the Gen Next [[PAC]] have donated to [[Republican]] candidates and on the 30 June 2009, gave $5000 to the [[National Republican Congressional Committee]]. <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/com_supopp/C00392795/ FEC Disclourse Report]" [[www.fec.org]], accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Selected Members==
Members include: <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Membership Profiles]" [[www.gen-next.org]], accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

[[Jason Childs]] 
[[Jared Cohen]] 
[[Jeff Gehl]] 
[[Jason Liebman]] 
[[Roman Tsunder]] 

==Notes==
<references/>
==Further References==
[http://www.gen-next.org/ Gen Next Website]

Gen Next

2010-11-16T15:47:57Z

Gavin Ross: /* History */

==History==
Gen Next is an "exclusive, Membership-driven organization of successful and committed individuals aimed at overcoming generational challenges in three areas: economic growth, education and international security". <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/about/overview/ Gen Next: Overview]" [[www.gen-next.org]], accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It was co-founded by [[Alliance for Youth Movement]] co-founder [[Roman Tsunder]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profiles]" [[www.movements.org]], accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Members are only admitted after being invited to join and pay a $10,000 annual contribution. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Member Profiles]" [[www.gen-next.org]], accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> To be invited to join Gen Next, you are first required to have been nominated by two active members of the group. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Become a Member]" [[www.gen-next]], accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It would also appear that the political affiliation of Gen Next is of a [[Republican]] nature, as the Gen Next [[PAC]] have donated to [[Republican]] candidates and on the 30 June 2009, gave $5000 to the [[National Republican Congressional Committee]]. <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/com_supopp/C00392795/ FEC Disclourse Report]" [[www.fec.org]], accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Selected Members==
Members include: <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Membership Profiles]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

[[Jason Childs]] 
[[Jared Cohen]] 
[[Jeff Gehl]] 
[[Jason Liebman]] 
[[Roman Tsunder]] 

==Notes==
<references/>
==Further References==
[http://www.gen-next.org/ Gen Next Website]

Globalisation:Jason Liebman

2010-11-16T15:45:09Z

Gavin Ross:

==Biography==
Jason Liebman is a former investment banker at [[Credit Suisse]] and is also a board member and co-founder of the [[Globalisation:Alliance for Youth Movements|Alliance for Youth Movements]]. He is also a co-founder of [[Howcast]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Liebman also worked at [[Applied Semantics]] before [[Google]] purchased it in 2003. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Management Team Profiles]" [[www.howcast.com]], accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> After Applied Semanics was purchased by Google, Liebman went on to work for Google for 4 years where he "played an integral role growing strategic content licensing and monetization relationships for the YouTube, Google Video and AdSense teams". <ref> "[ http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/86/?xmlhttp=true Gen Next: Member Profile]" [[www.gen-next.org]], accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Like his fellow co-founders of the Alliance for Youth Movements, [[Jared Cohen]] and [[Roman Tsunder]], Liebman is a member of the group [[Gen Next]] which was set up by Tsunder. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/ Gen Next: Membership Profiles ]" [[www.gen-next.org]], accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> During the 2008 United States Presidential Election, Liebman donated $5000 to the McCain/Palin Victory 2008 committee on the 3 November 2008 and this money was eventually transferred to the [[Republican National Committee]] on the 31 December 2008. <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/ FEC Individual Contributions List]" [[www.fec.gov]], accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>
Through this donation, it would appear that Mr Liebman is a [[Republican Party]] supporter.

==Howcast==
Howcast was set up in February 2008 with the intention to provide the "largest - and highest quality - how-to videos on the internet" and has links to companies and public bodies such as the [[State Department]], [[US Department of Defence]], [[Kodak]] and [[Ford]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile]" [[www.movements.org]], accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Liebman set up Howcast with the help of three other people, which also included his twin sister Darlene. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Howcast Management Team]" www.howcast.org accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Howcast has offices in both San Francisco and New York. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about About Howcast]" [[www.howcast.org]], accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jasonliebman Jason Liebman's Twitter Page] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Profile on Alliance for Youth Movements] 
[http://www.howcast.com/ Howcast Homepage] 
[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Profile on Howcast] 
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman's article on Digital Diplomacy] 

==Notes==
<references/>

Globalisation:Jason Liebman

2010-11-16T15:42:37Z

Gavin Ross:

==Biography==
Jason Liebman is a former investment banker at [[Credit Suisse]] and is also a board member and co-founder of the [[Globalisation:Alliance for Youth Movements|Alliance for Youth Movements]]. He is also a co-founder of [[Howcast]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Liebman also worked at [[Applied Semantics]] before [[Google]] purchased it in 2003. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Management Team Profiles]" www.howcast.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> After Applied Semanics was purchased by Google, Liebman went on to work for Google for 4 years where he "played an integral role growing strategic content licensing and monetization relationships for the YouTube, Google Video and AdSense teams". <ref> "[ http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/86/?xmlhttp=true Gen Next: Member Profile]" www.gen-next.org, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Like his fellow co-founders of the Alliance for Youth Movements, [[Jared Cohen]] and [[Roman Tsunder]], Liebman is a member of the group [[Gen Next]] which was set up by Tsunder. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/ Gen Next: Membership Profiles ]" www.gen-next.org, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> During the 2008 United States Presidential Election, Liebman donated $5000 to the McCain/Palin Victory 2008 committee on the 3 November 2008 and this money was eventually transferred to the [[Republican National Committee]] on the 31 December 2008. <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/ FEC Individual Contributions List]" www.fec.gov, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>
Through this donation, it would appear that Mr Liebman is a [[Republican Party]] supporter.

==Howcast==
Howcast was set up in February 2008 with the intention to provide the "largest - and highest quality - how-to videos on the internet" and has links to companies and public bodies such as the [[State Department]], [[US Department of Defence]], [[Kodak]] and [[Ford]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile]" www.movements.org, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Liebman set up Howcast with the help of three other people, which also included his twin sister Darlene. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Howcast Management Team]" www.howcast.org accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Howcast has offices in both San Francisco and New York. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about About Howcast]" www.howcast.org, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jasonliebman Jason Liebman's Twitter Page] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Profile on Alliance for Youth Movements] 
[http://www.howcast.com/ Howcast Homepage] 
[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Profile on Howcast] 
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman's article on Digital Diplomacy] 

==Notes==
<references/>

Gen Next

2010-11-16T15:33:40Z

Gavin Ross:

==History==
Gen Next is an "exclusive, Membership-driven organization of successful and committed individuals aimed at overcoming generational challenges in three areas: economic growth, education and international security". <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/about/overview/ Gen Next: Overview]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It was co-founded by [[Alliance for Youth Movement]] co-founder [[Roman Tsunder]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profiles]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Members are only admitted after being invited to join and pay a $10,000 annual contribution. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Member Profiles]" accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> To be invited to join Gen Next, you are first required to have been nominated by two active members of the group. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Become a Member]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It would also appear that the political affiliation of Gen Next is of a [[Republican]] nature, as the Gen Next [[PAC]] have donated to [[Republican]] candidates and on the 30 June 2009, gave $5000 to the [[National Republican Congressional Committee]]. <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/com_supopp/C00392795/ FEC Disclourse Report]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Selected Members==
Members include: <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next: Membership Profiles]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

[[Jason Childs]] 
[[Jared Cohen]] 
[[Jeff Gehl]] 
[[Jason Liebman]] 
[[Roman Tsunder]] 

==Notes==
<references/>
==Further References==
[http://www.gen-next.org/ Gen Next Website]

Globalisation:Rachel Silver

2010-11-16T15:32:06Z

Gavin Ross:

Rachel Jo Silver is the Development and Corporate Partnerships Manager for the Alliance for Youth Movements (AYM). She has a joint Masters Degree in International Affairs, Conflict Resolution, and Civil Society Development from the American University of Paris and L’Institut Catholique de Paris. She previously worked for Howcast Media and currently works for various other non-profit organisations such as the One Voice Movement.<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Team]" accessed 26 October 2010</ref>

===Work For Alliance for Youth Movements===
Whilst working for Howcast Media, created by AYM co-founder Jason Liebman, Silver was significantly influential in the organisation of the three annual AYM summits taken place so far, in New York, Mexico City and London respectively.

==Notes==
<references/>

Susannah Vila

2010-11-16T15:30:47Z

Gavin Ross:

Susannah Vila is the Director of Content and Outreach for [[Movements.org]]. She has a Masters Degree in Political Science from Columbia University, USA.

As well as her work for [[Globalisation:Alliance for Youth Movements|Alliance for Youth Movements]](AYM), she writes for various other established websites, often on the role of technology in Global Politics. She also works with individuals and organizations looking to harness digital tools for greater impact as a trainer and colsuntant.<ref>"[http://susannahvila.com/aym SusannahVilla.com]" accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

===Work for Alliance for Youths Movement===
Susannah works for AYM as the Director of Content and Outreach on their official website, Movements.org.
She reguarly contributes articles to the website on current world events which relate to the role of Digital Activism in politics.<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements - Team]" accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

As the focus of her Degree would suggest, many of Susannah's own blogs on the site are based on corruption in Latin American countries, as well as reports on India, the US and any prominent news stories relating to digital diplomacy or repression.<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/blog/ Alliance for Youth Movements - The Blog]" accessed 7 November 2010</ref>

===Media Work===
Susannah Vila began her media career as a fact-checker, researcher and writer at The Nation Magazine. From here she moved to CBS news, where she held the same positions as she had in her previous post. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements - Team]" accessed 17 October 2010</ref>

She currently reports for Global Voices Online, which she has been involved with sine February 2010, covering the political situation in Cuba, specifically on infringments of human rights.<ref>"[http://globalvoicesonline.org/author/susannah-vila/ Global Voices Online]" accessed 7 November 2010</ref>

Her most notable individual achievement in terms of media work, is the establishment of the website NYC.is. This is a blog-based website in which New Yorkers are welcome to make news-related posts which can then be shared and rated by other users.<ref>"[http://nyfi.observer.com/media/332/new-web-site-nycis NYFI - NYC.is, Curated by NYC]" accessed 7 November 2010</ref>
Susannah Vila herself believes that its unique aspect of user-controlled local news will become a popular medium of internet press media: "NYC.is will, I hope, become the place to publish, share and rate community, civic and citizen journalism about neighborhoods in the five boroughs. There is no barrier to entry which, in addition to the self-curating aspect, is what sets us apart."<ref>"[http://blog.metaprinter.com/2009/07/interview-with-nyc-is-founder-susannah-vila/ Metaprinter - Interview With NYC.is Founder Susannah Vila]" accessed 8 November 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Globalisation:Jason Liebman

2010-11-16T15:28:04Z

Gavin Ross:

==Biography==
Jason Liebman is a former investment banker at [[Credit Suisse]] and is also a board member and co-founder of the [[Globalisation:Alliance for Youth Movements|Alliance for Youth Movements]]. He is also a co-founder of [[Howcast]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Liebman also worked at [[Applied Semantics]] before [[Google]] purchased it in 2003. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Management Team Profiles]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> After Applied Semanics was purchased by Google, Liebman went on to work for Google for 4 years where he "played an integral role growing strategic content licensing and monetization relationships for the YouTube, Google Video and AdSense teams". <ref> "[ http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/86/?xmlhttp=true Gen Next: Member Profile]" accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Like his fellow co-founders of the Alliance for Youth Movements, [[Jared Cohen]] and [[Roman Tsunder]], Liebman is a member of the group [[Gen Next]] which was set up by Tsunder. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/ Gen Next: Membership Profiles ]" </ref> During the 2008 United States Presidential Election, Liebman donated $5000 to the McCain/Palin Victory 2008 committee on the 3 November 2008 and this money was eventually transferred to the [[Republican National Committee]] on the 31 December 2008. <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/ FEC Individual Contributions List]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>
Through this donation, it would appear that Mr Liebman is a [[Republican Party]] supporter.

==Howcast==
Howcast was set up in February 2008 with the intention to provide the "largest - and highest quality - how-to videos on the internet" and has links to companies and public bodies such as the [[State Department]], [[US Department of Defence]], [[Kodak]] and [[Ford]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile]" accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Liebman set up Howcast with the help of three other people, which also included his twin sister Darlene. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Howcast Management Team]" accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Howcast has offices in both San Francisco and New York. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about About Howcast]" accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jasonliebman Jason Liebman's Twitter Page] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Profile on Alliance for Youth Movements] 
[http://www.howcast.com/ Howcast Homepage] 
[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Profile on Howcast] 
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman's article on Digital Diplomacy] 

==Notes==
<references/>

Jared Cohen

2010-11-16T15:24:43Z

Gavin Ross:

==Biography==
Jared Cohen is a former member of staff at the [[United States Department of State]] from 2006 under [[Condoleezza Rice]] <ref>"[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/54/?xmlhttp=true Gen Next Membership Profiles] accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> until 2010 under Secretary [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]]. <ref>"[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/09/07/jared_cohen State Department Innovator Jared Cohen goes to Google] accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> Cohen left the [[State Department]] to take on a new role in [[Google]] as the Director of Google Ideas.

Cohen has a BA from [[Standford University]] and a M.Phil in International Relations from [[Oxford University]] which he attended as a [[Rhodes Scholar]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team] accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> He is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]] and a member of a group called [[Gen Next]] <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next Member Profiles]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>, which was set up by fellow co-founder and board member [[Roman Tsunder]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team] accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> alongside [[Jason Liebman]] who is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]]. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next Member Profiles]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Iran==
Cohen has a keen interest in Iranian affairs. While a graduate at [[Oxford University]], Cohen was able to gain a visa to go to Iran and in his own words, "interview members of the political resistance". <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007)]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It was here he met people of his own age and he says that the youth of Iran are the most pro-American population in the Middle East. <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007)]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>
During the Iranian Presidential Election of 2009, Cohen was again thrust into the media spotlight due to his close relationship with co-founder of the social networking site [[Twitter]], [[Jack Dorsey]]. On the Monday after the disputed Iranian Presidential Election, Cohen asked Dorsey to put off a site maintenance update scheduled as this would have meant that Iranians would have been unable to inform the rest of the world through Twitter the events that were taking place in Tehran. <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009)]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Cohen, working for Secretary [[Clinton]] under the administration of President [[Barack Obama]], placed himself at odds with official policy which was to avoid the appearance of meddling in the Iranian elections, but according to Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs [[P.J. Crowley]], Cohen was merely asking Twitter to maintain service to a situation that had already started days before this incident. <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009)]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Selected Bibliography==
Cohen has written two books, which are: <ref> "[http://www.amazon.com/Jared-Cohen/e/B001IXO96E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1287081442&sr=8-1 Jared Cohen: Amazon.com]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

'''Children of Jihad: A Young American's Travel Among the Youth of the Middle East''' (2008) 
'''One Hundred Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide''' (2007) 

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jaredcohen Jared Cohen Twitter Page] 
[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein New Yorker Profile] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile] 
[http://www.state.gov/s/p/115458.htm State Department Profile] 

==Notes==
<references/>

Jared Cohen

2010-11-16T15:23:52Z

Gavin Ross:

==Biography==
Jared Cohen is a former member of staff at the [[United States Department of State]] from 2006 under [[Condoleezza Rice]] <ref>"[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/54/?xmlhttp=true Gen Next Membership Profiles] accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> until 2010 under Secretary [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]]. <ref>"[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/09/07/jared_cohen State Department Innovator Jared Cohen goes to Google] accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> Cohen left the [[State Department]] to take on a new role in [[Google]] as the Director of Google Ideas.

Cohen has a BA from [[Standford University]] and a M.Phil in International Relations from [[Oxford University]] which he attended as a [[Rhodes Scholar]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team] accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> He is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]] and a member of a group called [[Gen Next]] <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next Member Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>, which was set up by fellow co-founder and board member [[Roman Tsunder]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements: Team] accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> alongside [[Jason Liebman]] who is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]]. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/ Gen Next Member Profiles]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Iran==
Cohen has a keen interest in Iranian affairs. While a graduate at [[Oxford University]], Cohen was able to gain a visa to go to Iran and in his own words, "interview members of the political resistance". <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007)]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It was here he met people of his own age and he says that the youth of Iran are the most pro-American population in the Middle East. <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007)]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>
During the Iranian Presidential Election of 2009, Cohen was again thrust into the media spotlight due to his close relationship with co-founder of the social networking site [[Twitter]], [[Jack Dorsey]]. On the Monday after the disputed Iranian Presidential Election, Cohen asked Dorsey to put off a site maintenance update scheduled as this would have meant that Iranians would have been unable to inform the rest of the world through Twitter the events that were taking place in Tehran. <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009)]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Cohen, working for Secretary [[Clinton]] under the administration of President [[Barack Obama]], placed himself at odds with official policy which was to avoid the appearance of meddling in the Iranian elections, but according to Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs [[P.J. Crowley]], Cohen was merely asking Twitter to maintain service to a situation that had already started days before this incident. <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009)]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Selected Bibliography==
Cohen has written two books, which are: <ref> "[http://www.amazon.com/Jared-Cohen/e/B001IXO96E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1287081442&sr=8-1 Jared Cohen: Amazon.com]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

'''Children of Jihad: A Young American's Travel Among the Youth of the Middle East''' (2008) 
'''One Hundred Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide''' (2007) 

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jaredcohen Jared Cohen Twitter Page] 
[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein New Yorker Profile] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile] 
[http://www.state.gov/s/p/115458.htm State Department Profile] 

==Notes==
<references/>

Globalisation:Jason Liebman

2010-11-16T15:16:10Z

Gavin Ross:

==Biography==
Jason Liebman is a former investment banker at [[Credit Suisse]] and is also a board member and co-founder of the [[Globalisation:Alliance for Youth Movements|Alliance for Youth Movements]]. He is also a co-founder of [[Howcast]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Liebman also worked at [[Applied Semantics]] before [[Google]] purchased it in 2003. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Management Team Profiles]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> After Applied Semanics was purchased by Google, Liebman went on to work for Google for 4 years where he "played an integral role growing strategic content licensing and monetization relationships for the YouTube, Google Video and AdSense teams". <ref> "[ growing strategic content licensing and monetization relationships for the YouTube, Google Video and AdSense teams]" Gen Next: Member Profile, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Like his fellow co-founders of the Alliance for Youth Movements, [[Jared Cohen]] and [[Roman Tsunder]], Liebman is a member of the group [[Gen Next]] which was set up by Tsunder. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/ Gen Next: Membership Profiles ]" </ref> During the 2008 United States Presidential Election, Liebman donated $5000 to the McCain/Palin Victory 2008 committee on the 3 November 2008 and this money was eventually transferred to the [[Republican National Committee]] on the 31 December 2008. <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/ FEC Individual Contributions List]" accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>
Through this donation, it would appear that Mr Liebman is a [[Republican Party]] supporter.

==Howcast==
Howcast was set up in February 2008 with the intention to provide the "largest - and highest quality - how-to videos on the internet" and has links to companies and public bodies such as the [[State Department]], [[US Department of Defence]], [[Kodak]] and [[Ford]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile]" accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Liebman set up Howcast with the help of three other people, which also included his twin sister Darlene. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Howcast Management Team]" accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Howcast has offices in both San Francisco and New York. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about About Howcast]" accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jasonliebman Jason Liebman's Twitter Page] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Profile on Alliance for Youth Movements] 
[http://www.howcast.com/ Howcast Homepage] 
[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Profile on Howcast] 
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman's article on Digital Diplomacy] 

==Notes==
<references/>

Jared Cohen

2010-11-09T15:54:43Z

Gavin Ross: /* Selected Bibliography */

==Biography==
Jared Cohen is a former member of staff at the [[United States Department of State]] from 2006 under [[Condoleezza Rice]] <ref>"[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/54/?xmlhttp=true], Gen Next Membership Profiles, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> until 2010 under Secretary [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]]. <ref>"[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/09/07/jared_cohen], State Department Innovator Jared Cohen goes to Google, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> Cohen left the [[State Department]] to take on a new role in [[Google]] as the Director of Google Ideas.

Cohen has a BA from [[Standford University]] and a M.Phil in International Relations from [[Oxford University]] which he attended as a [[Rhodes Scholar]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team], Alliance for Youth Movements: Team, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> He is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]] and a member of a group called [[Gen Next]] <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next Member Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>, which was set up by fellow co-founder and board member [[Roman Tsunder]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team], Alliance for Youth Movements: Team, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> alongside [[Jason Liebman]] who is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]]. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next Member Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Iran==
Cohen has a keen interest in Iranian affairs. While a graduate at [[Oxford University]], Cohen was able to gain a visa to go to Iran and in his own words, "interview members of the political resistance". <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein]" Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It was here he met people of his own age and he says that the youth of Iran are the most pro-American population in the Middle East. <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein]" Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>
During the Iranian Presidential Election of 2009, Cohen was again thrust into the media spotlight due to his close relationship with co-founder of the social networking site [[Twitter]], [[Jack Dorsey]]. On the Monday after the disputed Iranian Presidential Election, Cohen asked Dorsey to put off a site maintenance update scheduled as this would have meant that Iranians would have been unable to inform the rest of the world through Twitter the events that were taking place in Tehran. <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html]" Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Cohen, working for Secretary [[Clinton]] under the administration of President [[Barack Obama]], placed himself at odds with official policy which was to avoid the appearance of meddling in the Iranian elections, but according to Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs [[P.J. Crowley]], Cohen was merely asking Twitter to maintain service to a situation that had already started days before this incident. <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html]" Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Selected Bibliography==
Cohen has written two books, which are: <ref> "[http://www.amazon.com/Jared-Cohen/e/B001IXO96E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1287081442&sr=8-1]" Jared Cohen: Amazon.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

'''Children of Jihad: A Young American's Travel Among the Youth of the Middle East''' (2008) 
'''One Hundred Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide''' (2007) 

==Notes==
<references/>

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jaredcohen Jared Cohen Twitter Page] 
[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein New Yorker Profile] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile] 
[http://www.state.gov/s/p/115458.htm State Department Profile]

Jared Cohen

2010-11-09T15:54:04Z

Gavin Ross:

==Biography==
Jared Cohen is a former member of staff at the [[United States Department of State]] from 2006 under [[Condoleezza Rice]] <ref>"[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/54/?xmlhttp=true], Gen Next Membership Profiles, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> until 2010 under Secretary [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]]. <ref>"[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/09/07/jared_cohen], State Department Innovator Jared Cohen goes to Google, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> Cohen left the [[State Department]] to take on a new role in [[Google]] as the Director of Google Ideas.

Cohen has a BA from [[Standford University]] and a M.Phil in International Relations from [[Oxford University]] which he attended as a [[Rhodes Scholar]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team], Alliance for Youth Movements: Team, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> He is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]] and a member of a group called [[Gen Next]] <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next Member Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>, which was set up by fellow co-founder and board member [[Roman Tsunder]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team], Alliance for Youth Movements: Team, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> alongside [[Jason Liebman]] who is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]]. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next Member Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Iran==
Cohen has a keen interest in Iranian affairs. While a graduate at [[Oxford University]], Cohen was able to gain a visa to go to Iran and in his own words, "interview members of the political resistance". <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein]" Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It was here he met people of his own age and he says that the youth of Iran are the most pro-American population in the Middle East. <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein]" Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>
During the Iranian Presidential Election of 2009, Cohen was again thrust into the media spotlight due to his close relationship with co-founder of the social networking site [[Twitter]], [[Jack Dorsey]]. On the Monday after the disputed Iranian Presidential Election, Cohen asked Dorsey to put off a site maintenance update scheduled as this would have meant that Iranians would have been unable to inform the rest of the world through Twitter the events that were taking place in Tehran. <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html]" Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Cohen, working for Secretary [[Clinton]] under the administration of President [[Barack Obama]], placed himself at odds with official policy which was to avoid the appearance of meddling in the Iranian elections, but according to Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs [[P.J. Crowley]], Cohen was merely asking Twitter to maintain service to a situation that had already started days before this incident. <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html]" Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Selected Bibliography==
Cohen has written two books, which are <ref> "[http://www.amazon.com/Jared-Cohen/e/B001IXO96E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1287081442&sr=8-1]" Jared Cohen: Amazon.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>:

'''Children of Jihad: A Young American's Travel Among the Youth of the Middle East''' (2008) 
'''One Hundred Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide''' (2007) 

==Notes==
<references/>

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jaredcohen Jared Cohen Twitter Page] 
[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein New Yorker Profile] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile] 
[http://www.state.gov/s/p/115458.htm State Department Profile]

Gen Next

2010-11-09T15:51:17Z

Gavin Ross:

==History==
Gen Next is an "exclusive, Membership-driven organization of successful and committed individuals aimed at overcoming generational challenges in three areas: economic growth, education and international security". <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/about/overview/]" Gen Next: Overview, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It was co-founded by [[Alliance for Youth Movement]] co-founder [[Roman Tsunder]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Members are only admitted after being invited to join and pay a $10,000 annual contribution. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next: Member Profiles, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> To be invited to join Gen Next, you are first required to have been nominated by two active members of the group. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next: Become a Member, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It would also appear that the political affiliation of Gen Next is of a [[Republican]] nature, as the Gen Next [[PAC]] have donated to [[Republican]] candidates and on the 30 June 2009, gave $5000 to the [[National Republican Congressional Committee]]. <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/com_supopp/C00392795/]" FEC Disclourse Report, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Selected Members==
Members include: <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next: Membership Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

[[Jason Childs]] 
[[Jared Cohen]] 
[[Jeff Gehl]] 
[[Jason Liebman]] 
[[Roman Tsunder]] 

==Notes==
<references/>
==Further References==
[http://www.gen-next.org/ Gen Next Website]

Globalisation:Jason Liebman

2010-11-09T15:51:03Z

Gavin Ross:

==Biography==
Jason Liebman is a former investment banker at [[Credit Suisse]] and is also a board member and co-founder of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]]. He is also a co-founder of [[Howcast]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements Profile, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Liebman also worked at [[Applied Semantics]] before [[Google]] purchased it in 2003. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team]" Management Team Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> After Applied Semanics was purchased by Google, Liebman went on to work for Google for 4 years where he "played an integral role growing strategic content licensing and monetization relationships for the YouTube, Google Video and AdSense teams". <ref> "[ growing strategic content licensing and monetization relationships for the YouTube, Google Video and AdSense teams]" Gen Next: Member Profile, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Like his fellow co-founders of the Alliance for Youth Movements, [[Jared Cohen]] and [[Roman Tsunder]], Liebman is a member of the group [[Gen Next]] which was set up by Tsunder. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/]" Gen Next: Membership Profiles </ref> During the 2008 United States Presidential Election, Liebman donated $5000 to the McCain/Palin Victory 2008 committee on the 3 November 2008 and this money was eventually transferred to the [[Republican National Committee]] on the 31 December 2008. <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/]" FEC Individual Contributions List, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>
Through this donation, it would appear that Mr Liebman is a [[Republican Party]] supporter.

==Howcast==
Howcast was set up in February 2008 with the intention to provide the "largest - and highest quality - how-to videos on the internet" and has links to companies and public bodies such as the [[State Department]], [[US Department of Defence]], [[Kodak]] and [[Ford]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements Profile, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Liebman set up Howcast with the help of three other people, which also included his twin sister Darlene. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team]" Howcast Management Team, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> Howcast has offices in both San Francisco and New York. <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about]" About Howcast, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Notes==
<references/>
==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jasonliebman Jason Liebman's Twitter Page] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Profile on Alliance for Youth Movements] 
[http://www.howcast.com/ Howcast Homepage] 
[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Profile on Howcast] 
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman's article on Digital Diplomacy]

Gen Next

2010-11-09T15:49:24Z

Gavin Ross: /* History */

==History==
Gen Next is an "exclusive, Membership-driven organization of successful and committed individuals aimed at overcoming generational challenges in three areas: economic growth, education and international security". <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/about/overview/]" Gen Next: Overview, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It was co-founded by [[Alliance for Youth Movement]] co-founder [[Roman Tsunder]]. <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> Members are only admitted after being invited to join and pay a $10,000 annual contribution. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next: Member Profiles, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref> To be invited to join Gen Next, you are first required to have been nominated by two active members of the group. <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next: Become a Member, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> It would also appear that the political affiliation of Gen Next is of a [[Republican]] nature, as the Gen Next [[PAC]] have donated to [[Republican]] candidates and on the 30 June 2009, gave $5000 to the [[National Republican Congressional Committee]]. <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/com_supopp/C00392795/]" FEC Disclourse Report, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>

==Selected Members==
Members include <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next: Membership Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>:

[[Jason Childs]] 
[[Jared Cohen]] 
[[Jeff Gehl]] 
[[Jason Liebman]] 
[[Roman Tsunder]] 

==Notes==
<references/>
==Further References==
[http://www.gen-next.org/ Gen Next Website]

Globalisation:Jason Liebman

2010-11-09T15:47:57Z

Gavin Ross: /* Howcast */

==Biography==
Jason Liebman is a former investment banker at [[Credit Suisse]] and is also a board member and co-founder of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]]. He is also a co-founder of [[Howcast]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements Profile, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. Liebman also worked at [[Applied Semantics]] before [[Google]] purchased it in 2003 <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team]" Management Team Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. After Applied Semanics was purchased by Google, Liebman went on to work for Google for 4 years where he "played an integral role growing strategic content licensing and monetization relationships for the YouTube, Google Video and AdSense teams" <ref> "[ growing strategic content licensing and monetization relationships for the YouTube, Google Video and AdSense teams]" Gen Next: Member Profile, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>. Like his fellow co-founders of the Alliance for Youth Movements, [[Jared Cohen]] and [[Roman Tsunder]], Liebman is a member of the group [[Gen Next]] which was set up by Tsunder <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/]" Gen Next: Membership Profiles </ref>. During the 2008 United States Presidential Election, Liebman donated $5000 to the McCain/Palin Victory 2008 committee on the 3 November 2008 and this money was eventually transferred to the [[Republican National Committee]] on the 31 December 2008 <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/]" FEC Individual Contributions List, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. Through this donation, it would appear that Mr Liebman is a [[Republican Party]] supporter.

==Howcast==
Howcast was set up in February 2008 with the intention to provide the "largest - and highest quality - how-to videos on the internet" and has links to companies and public bodies such as the [[State Department]], [[US Department of Defence]], [[Kodak]] and [[Ford]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements Profile, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>. Liebman set up Howcast with the help of three other people, which also included his twin sister Darlene <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team]" Howcast Management Team, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>. Howcast has offices in both San Francisco and New York <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about]" About Howcast, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>.

==Notes==
<references/>
==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jasonliebman Jason Liebman's Twitter Page] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Profile on Alliance for Youth Movements] 
[http://www.howcast.com/ Howcast Homepage] 
[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Profile on Howcast] 
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman's article on Digital Diplomacy]

Jared Cohen

2010-11-09T15:47:47Z

Gavin Ross:

==Biography==
Jared Cohen is a former member of staff at the [[United States Department of State]] from 2006 under [[Condoleezza Rice]] <ref>"[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/54/?xmlhttp=true], Gen Next Membership Profiles, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> until 2010 under Secretary [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]] <ref>"[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/09/07/jared_cohen], State Department Innovator Jared Cohen goes to Google, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref>. Cohen left the [[State Department]] to take on a new role in [[Google]] as the Director of Google Ideas.

Cohen has a BA from [[Standford University]] and a M.Phil in International Relations from [[Oxford University]] which he attended as a [[Rhodes Scholar]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team], Alliance for Youth Movements: Team, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. He is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]] and a member of a group called [[Gen Next]] <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next Member Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>, which was set up by fellow co-founder and board member [[Roman Tsunder]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team], Alliance for Youth Movements: Team, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> alongside [[Jason Liebman]] who is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]] <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next Member Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>.

==Iran==
Cohen has a keen interest in Iranian affairs. While a graduate at [[Oxford University]], Cohen was able to gain a visa to go to Iran and in his own words, "interview members of the political resistance" <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein]" Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. It was here he met people of his own age and he says that the youth of Iran are the most pro-American population in the Middle East <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein]" Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>.
During the Iranian Presidential Election of 2009, Cohen was again thrust into the media spotlight due to his close relationship with co-founder of the social networking site [[Twitter]], [[Jack Dorsey]]. On the Monday after the disputed Iranian Presidential Election, Cohen asked Dorsey to put off a site maintenance update scheduled as this would have meant that Iranians would have been unable to inform the rest of the world through Twitter the events that were taking place in Tehran <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html]" Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. Cohen, working for Secretary [[Clinton]] under the administration of President [[Barack Obama]], placed himself at odds with official policy which was to avoid the appearance of meddling in the Iranian elections, but according to Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs [[P.J. Crowley]], Cohen was merely asking Twitter to maintain service to a situation that had already started days before this incident <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html]" Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>.

==Selected Bibliography==
Cohen has written two books, which are <ref> "[http://www.amazon.com/Jared-Cohen/e/B001IXO96E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1287081442&sr=8-1]" Jared Cohen: Amazon.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>:

'''Children of Jihad: A Young American's Travel Among the Youth of the Middle East''' (2008) 
'''One Hundred Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide''' (2007) 

==Notes==
<references/>

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jaredcohen Jared Cohen Twitter Page] 
[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein New Yorker Profile] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile] 
[http://www.state.gov/s/p/115458.htm State Department Profile]

Globalisation:Jason Liebman

2010-11-09T15:46:10Z

Gavin Ross: /* Biography */

==Biography==
Jason Liebman is a former investment banker at [[Credit Suisse]] and is also a board member and co-founder of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]]. He is also a co-founder of [[Howcast]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements Profile, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. Liebman also worked at [[Applied Semantics]] before [[Google]] purchased it in 2003 <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team]" Management Team Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. After Applied Semanics was purchased by Google, Liebman went on to work for Google for 4 years where he "played an integral role growing strategic content licensing and monetization relationships for the YouTube, Google Video and AdSense teams" <ref> "[ growing strategic content licensing and monetization relationships for the YouTube, Google Video and AdSense teams]" Gen Next: Member Profile, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>. Like his fellow co-founders of the Alliance for Youth Movements, [[Jared Cohen]] and [[Roman Tsunder]], Liebman is a member of the group [[Gen Next]] which was set up by Tsunder <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/]" Gen Next: Membership Profiles </ref>. During the 2008 United States Presidential Election, Liebman donated $5000 to the McCain/Palin Victory 2008 committee on the 3 November 2008 and this money was eventually transferred to the [[Republican National Committee]] on the 31 December 2008 <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/]" FEC Individual Contributions List, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. Through this donation, it would appear that Mr Liebman is a [[Republican Party]] supporter.

==Howcast==
Howcast was set up in February 2008 with the intention to provide the "largest - and highest quality - how-to videos on the internet" and has links to companies and public bodies such as the [[State Department]], [[US Department of Defence]], [[Kodak]] and [[Ford]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements Profile, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>. Liebman set up Howcast with the help of three other people, who included his twin sister Darlene <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about/team]" Howcast Management Team, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>. Howcast has offices in both San Francisco and New York <ref> "[http://info.howcast.com/about]" About Howcast, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>.

==Notes==
<references/>
==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jasonliebman Jason Liebman's Twitter Page] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Profile on Alliance for Youth Movements] 
[http://www.howcast.com/ Howcast Homepage] 
[http://info.howcast.com/about/team Profile on Howcast] 
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html Jason Liebman's article on Digital Diplomacy]

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-09T15:42:14Z

Gavin Ross: /* Criticisms */

Ross Holland
Kashif Riaz
Kevin Harkins
Gavin Ross

==Overview==
The Alliance for Youth Movements is a not-for-profit organisation which is "dedicated to promoting, connecting, and supporting digital activists from around the world." It also hosts annual summits on ways in which to promote digital activism <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/about/]" Alliance for Youth Movements: About AYM, accessed on 8 November 2010 </ref>.

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with MTV, Google, YouTube, Facebook, Howcast, AT&T, Jet Blue, Gen-Next, Access360Media and Columbia Law School. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===

The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
Burma Global Action Network; 
CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba; 
Fight-Back; 
Genocide Intervention Network; 
Illuminemos México; 
Invisible Children; 
No Más Chávez; 
One Million People Against Crime in South Africa; 
One Million Voices Against the FARC; 
The People's March Against Knife Crime; 
Raíces de Esperanza; 
Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights; 
Save Darfur Coalition; 
To Write Love on Her Arms; 
Genç Siviller- Young Civilians; 
Youth for Tolerance.

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008]", Alliance for Youth Movement - New York City 2008, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about]", HowCast Website - About AYM, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09]", HowCast Website - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009]", Alliance for Youth Movements - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit]", Alliance for Youth Movements - The Summit, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top people from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx]", Wired.co.uk - Meet the World's Youth Activists, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action".

===Controversies===
Although there is seemingly widespread support for the AYM throughout the Western world, some of their activities, and more specifically, some of their alliegances have caused concern for controversy over the last three years.

AYM's support of the Venezuelan anti-presidential movement 'No Más Chávez' is considered to be a disguise of the U.S. State Department's opposition to Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela and critic of American Neoliberalism. The State Department has reportedly funded over $4 million to the Venezuelan private media over the last three years. They use the reason of the right to free speech to defend their actions. They say their objective is to "strengthen independent journalists by providing them with training, technical assistance, materials and greater access to innovative internet-based technologies that expand media coverage and increase their capacity to inform the public on a timely basis about the most critical policy issues impacting Venezuela." <ref>Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010</ref>
However, in Venezuela, there is little evidence of censorship within the media. In fact, there is a wide and fierce anti-Chávez element within the Venezuelan press. However, following the arrest of the president of a TV station opposed to Chávez<ref>Anti-Chávez TV Owner Faces Arrest, The Guardian, 14 June 2010</ref> the pressure, as well as support, has intensified from the U.S.
Nonetheless, AYM's support of a movement opposed to Chávez, who support economic alliegance with the U.S., questions their goals of promoting democracy and freedom, as Hugo Chávez is a democratically elected president.

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching over two years after the corganisation's formation, having previously used the HowCast website as their webpage.. The website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still being developed.

Users are given access to news stories and blogs relevant to digital activism straight from the home page.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements: Team </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm]" US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;Howcast, Edelman, Google, MTV, MeetUp, Pepsi, CBS News, MobileAccord, YouTube, Facebook, MSNBC, National Geographic, Omnicom and Access 360 Media.<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters]" Alliance for Youth Movement, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc]" Summit Activities Guide, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet". <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/]" British Foreign Office: What is digital diplomacy?, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter! <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590]" Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World (1 July 2010), accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration. Led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], the US [[State Department]] has coined the term "21st Century Statecraft" to describe digital diplomacy <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm]" State Department: 21st Century Statecraft, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Foreign Policy: Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Jason Liebman: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>
One of the crucial underpinnings of "21st Century Statecraft" is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]]. <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc]" Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC' (Metro: 8 February 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness an anti-FARC sentiment and send a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1]" Twitter vs Terror (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> Through the 'empowerment' of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories will be available to contrast those that are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development". <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom, accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the idea of digital diplomacy. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, by empowering people to allow more access and freedom online, groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] will be able to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the 'mainstream' of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental effect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] technologies such as mobile phones that have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This shows then that instead of freeing the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 

A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks, in 2010, released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan War. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1]" New York Times: Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> These unprecedented leaks have lead to criticism from the US Government and groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton of Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States. <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/]" FoxNews.com: Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] for Presidents [[Bill Clinton]] and [[George W. Bush]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure. <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html]" The age of cyber war has arrived (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy more difficult as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information more places may be at danger if hackers have the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 

There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. 

The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft", has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War. <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and at the time State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period. <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp]" Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China. <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm]" BBC News: Bypassing China's net firewall (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> 

In America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA]" NYTimes.com: US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This would seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which in the long-term harm internet freedom. 

Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html]" Huffington Post: The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/]" The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would just seem that a process of hegemony was taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century Statecraft" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades. <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft]" The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case the internet - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Jack Dorsey]] and [[Jason Liebman]]. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Huffington Post: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that they originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community. This criticism is not then merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers in this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-09T15:34:54Z

Gavin Ross: /* Criticisms */

Ross Holland
Kashif Riaz
Kevin Harkins
Gavin Ross

==Overview==
The Alliance for Youth Movements is a not-for-profit organisation which is "dedicated to promoting, connecting, and supporting digital activists from around the world." It also hosts annual summits on ways in which to promote digital activism <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/about/]" Alliance for Youth Movements: About AYM, accessed on 8 November 2010 </ref>.

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with MTV, Google, YouTube, Facebook, Howcast, AT&T, Jet Blue, Gen-Next, Access360Media and Columbia Law School. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===

The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
Burma Global Action Network; 
CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba; 
Fight-Back; 
Genocide Intervention Network; 
Illuminemos México; 
Invisible Children; 
No Más Chávez; 
One Million People Against Crime in South Africa; 
One Million Voices Against the FARC; 
The People's March Against Knife Crime; 
Raíces de Esperanza; 
Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights; 
Save Darfur Coalition; 
To Write Love on Her Arms; 
Genç Siviller- Young Civilians; 
Youth for Tolerance.

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008]", Alliance for Youth Movement - New York City 2008, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about]", HowCast Website - About AYM, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09]", HowCast Website - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009]", Alliance for Youth Movements - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit]", Alliance for Youth Movements - The Summit, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top people from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx]", Wired.co.uk - Meet the World's Youth Activists, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action".

===Controversies===
Although there is seemingly widespread support for the AYM throughout the Western world, some of their activities, and more specifically, some of their alliegances have caused concern for controversy over the last three years.

AYM's support of the Venezuelan anti-presidential movement 'No Más Chávez' is considered to be a disguise of the U.S. State Department's opposition to Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela and critic of American Neoliberalism. The State Department has reportedly funded over $4 million to the Venezuelan private media over the last three years. They use the reason of the right to free speech to defend their actions. They say their objective is to "strengthen independent journalists by providing them with training, technical assistance, materials and greater access to innovative internet-based technologies that expand media coverage and increase their capacity to inform the public on a timely basis about the most critical policy issues impacting Venezuela." <ref>Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010</ref>
However, in Venezuela, there is little evidence of censorship within the media. In fact, there is a wide and fierce anti-Chávez element within the Venezuelan press. However, following the arrest of the president of a TV station opposed to Chávez<ref>Anti-Chávez TV Owner Faces Arrest, The Guardian, 14 June 2010</ref> the pressure, as well as support, has intensified from the U.S.
Nonetheless, AYM's support of a movement opposed to Chávez, who support economic alliegance with the U.S., questions their goals of promoting democracy and freedom, as Hugo Chávez is a democratically elected president.

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching over two years after the corganisation's formation, having previously used the HowCast website as their webpage.. The website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still being developed.

Users are given access to news stories and blogs relevant to digital activism straight from the home page.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements: Team </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm]" US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;Howcast, Edelman, Google, MTV, MeetUp, Pepsi, CBS News, MobileAccord, YouTube, Facebook, MSNBC, National Geographic, Omnicom and Access 360 Media.<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters]" Alliance for Youth Movement, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc]" Summit Activities Guide, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet". <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/]" British Foreign Office: What is digital diplomacy?, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter! <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590]" Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World (1 July 2010), accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration. Led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], the US [[State Department]] has coined the term "21st Century Statecraft" to describe digital diplomacy <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm]" State Department: 21st Century Statecraft, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Foreign Policy: Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Jason Liebman: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>
One of the crucial underpinnings of "21st Century Statecraft" is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]]. <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc]" Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC' (Metro: 8 February 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness an anti-FARC sentiment and send a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1]" Twitter vs Terror (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> Through the 'empowerment' of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories will be available to contrast those that are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development". <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom, accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the idea of digital diplomacy. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, by empowering people to allow more access and freedom online, groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] will be able to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the 'mainstream' of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental effect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] technologies such as mobile phones that have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This shows then that instead of freeing the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 

A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks, in 2010, released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan War. <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1]" New York Times: Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> These unprecedented leaks have lead to criticism from the US Government and groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton of Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States. <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/]" FoxNews.com: Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] for Presidents [[Bill Clinton]] and [[George W. Bush]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure. <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html]" The age of cyber war has arrived (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref> In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy more difficult as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information more places may be at danger if hackers have the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 

There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft" idea, has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as the references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and former State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp]" Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm]" BBC News: Bypassing China's net firewall (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> but in America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA]" NYTimes.com: US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This would again seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which will in the long-term harm internet freedom. Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html]" Huffington Post: The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/]" The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would then just seem that a process of hegemony would be taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century State" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics that are being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft]" The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case internet business - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], Google's CEO, [[Jack Dorsey]] who is Twitter's co-founder and Alliance for Youth Movements [[Jason Liebman]] <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Huffington Post: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that the originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community, so this criticism is not merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers to this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-09T15:29:16Z

Gavin Ross: /* Criticisms */

Ross Holland
Kashif Riaz
Kevin Harkins
Gavin Ross

==Overview==
The Alliance for Youth Movements is a not-for-profit organisation which is "dedicated to promoting, connecting, and supporting digital activists from around the world." It also hosts annual summits on ways in which to promote digital activism <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/about/]" Alliance for Youth Movements: About AYM, accessed on 8 November 2010 </ref>.

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with MTV, Google, YouTube, Facebook, Howcast, AT&T, Jet Blue, Gen-Next, Access360Media and Columbia Law School. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===

The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
Burma Global Action Network; 
CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba; 
Fight-Back; 
Genocide Intervention Network; 
Illuminemos México; 
Invisible Children; 
No Más Chávez; 
One Million People Against Crime in South Africa; 
One Million Voices Against the FARC; 
The People's March Against Knife Crime; 
Raíces de Esperanza; 
Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights; 
Save Darfur Coalition; 
To Write Love on Her Arms; 
Genç Siviller- Young Civilians; 
Youth for Tolerance.

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008]", Alliance for Youth Movement - New York City 2008, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about]", HowCast Website - About AYM, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09]", HowCast Website - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009]", Alliance for Youth Movements - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit]", Alliance for Youth Movements - The Summit, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top people from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx]", Wired.co.uk - Meet the World's Youth Activists, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action".

===Controversies===
Although there is seemingly widespread support for the AYM throughout the Western world, some of their activities, and more specifically, some of their alliegances have caused concern for controversy over the last three years.

AYM's support of the Venezuelan anti-presidential movement 'No Más Chávez' is considered to be a disguise of the U.S. State Department's opposition to Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela and critic of American Neoliberalism. The State Department has reportedly funded over $4 million to the Venezuelan private media over the last three years. They use the reason of the right to free speech to defend their actions. They say their objective is to "strengthen independent journalists by providing them with training, technical assistance, materials and greater access to innovative internet-based technologies that expand media coverage and increase their capacity to inform the public on a timely basis about the most critical policy issues impacting Venezuela." <ref>Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010</ref>
However, in Venezuela, there is little evidence of censorship within the media. In fact, there is a wide and fierce anti-Chávez element within the Venezuelan press. However, following the arrest of the president of a TV station opposed to Chávez<ref>Anti-Chávez TV Owner Faces Arrest, The Guardian, 14 June 2010</ref> the pressure, as well as support, has intensified from the U.S.
Nonetheless, AYM's support of a movement opposed to Chávez, who support economic alliegance with the U.S., questions their goals of promoting democracy and freedom, as Hugo Chávez is a democratically elected president.

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching over two years after the corganisation's formation, having previously used the HowCast website as their webpage.. The website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still being developed.

Users are given access to news stories and blogs relevant to digital activism straight from the home page.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements: Team </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm]" US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;Howcast, Edelman, Google, MTV, MeetUp, Pepsi, CBS News, MobileAccord, YouTube, Facebook, MSNBC, National Geographic, Omnicom and Access 360 Media.<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters]" Alliance for Youth Movement, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc]" Summit Activities Guide, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet". <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/]" British Foreign Office: What is digital diplomacy?, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter! <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590]" Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World (1 July 2010), accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration. Led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], the US [[State Department]] has coined the term "21st Century Statecraft" to describe digital diplomacy <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm]" State Department: 21st Century Statecraft, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Foreign Policy: Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Jason Liebman: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>
One of the crucial underpinnings of "21st Century Statecraft" is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]]. <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc]" Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC' (Metro: 8 February 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness an anti-FARC sentiment and send a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1]" Twitter vs Terror (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> Through the 'empowerment' of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories will be available to contrast those that are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development". <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom, accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the idea of digital diplomacy. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, by empowering people to allow more access and freedom online, groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] will be able to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the 'mainstream' of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental effect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] technologies such as mobile phones that have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref>. This shows then that instead of freeing up the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them even further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 
A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks in the year 2010 released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan war <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1]" New York Times: Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. These unprecedented leaks have lead to some criticism from the US Government and also groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton from Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/]" FoxNews.com: Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former Clinton and Bush counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html]" The age of cyber war has arrived (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy in a critical light as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information flows places many at danger if hackers find the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 
There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft" idea, has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as the references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and former State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp]" Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm]" BBC News: Bypassing China's net firewall (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> but in America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA]" NYTimes.com: US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This would again seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which will in the long-term harm internet freedom. Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html]" Huffington Post: The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/]" The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would then just seem that a process of hegemony would be taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century State" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics that are being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft]" The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case internet business - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], Google's CEO, [[Jack Dorsey]] who is Twitter's co-founder and Alliance for Youth Movements [[Jason Liebman]] <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Huffington Post: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that the originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community, so this criticism is not merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers to this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-09T15:20:21Z

Gavin Ross: /* Digital Diplomacy */

Ross Holland
Kashif Riaz
Kevin Harkins
Gavin Ross

==Overview==
The Alliance for Youth Movements is a not-for-profit organisation which is "dedicated to promoting, connecting, and supporting digital activists from around the world." It also hosts annual summits on ways in which to promote digital activism <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/about/]" Alliance for Youth Movements: About AYM, accessed on 8 November 2010 </ref>.

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with MTV, Google, YouTube, Facebook, Howcast, AT&T, Jet Blue, Gen-Next, Access360Media and Columbia Law School. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===

The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
Burma Global Action Network; 
CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba; 
Fight-Back; 
Genocide Intervention Network; 
Illuminemos México; 
Invisible Children; 
No Más Chávez; 
One Million People Against Crime in South Africa; 
One Million Voices Against the FARC; 
The People's March Against Knife Crime; 
Raíces de Esperanza; 
Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights; 
Save Darfur Coalition; 
To Write Love on Her Arms; 
Genç Siviller- Young Civilians; 
Youth for Tolerance.

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008]", Alliance for Youth Movement - New York City 2008, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about]", HowCast Website - About AYM, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09]", HowCast Website - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009]", Alliance for Youth Movements - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit]", Alliance for Youth Movements - The Summit, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top people from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx]", Wired.co.uk - Meet the World's Youth Activists, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action".

===Controversies===
Although there is seemingly widespread support for the AYM throughout the Western world, some of their activities, and more specifically, some of their alliegances have caused concern for controversy over the last three years.

AYM's support of the Venezuelan anti-presidential movement 'No Más Chávez' is considered to be a disguise of the U.S. State Department's opposition to Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela and critic of American Neoliberalism. The State Department has reportedly funded over $4 million to the Venezuelan private media over the last three years. They use the reason of the right to free speech to defend their actions. They say their objective is to "strengthen independent journalists by providing them with training, technical assistance, materials and greater access to innovative internet-based technologies that expand media coverage and increase their capacity to inform the public on a timely basis about the most critical policy issues impacting Venezuela." <ref>Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010</ref>
However, in Venezuela, there is little evidence of censorship within the media. In fact, there is a wide and fierce anti-Chávez element within the Venezuelan press. However, following the arrest of the president of a TV station opposed to Chávez<ref>Anti-Chávez TV Owner Faces Arrest, The Guardian, 14 June 2010</ref> the pressure, as well as support, has intensified from the U.S.
Nonetheless, AYM's support of a movement opposed to Chávez, who support economic alliegance with the U.S., questions their goals of promoting democracy and freedom, as Hugo Chávez is a democratically elected president.

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching over two years after the corganisation's formation, having previously used the HowCast website as their webpage.. The website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still being developed.

Users are given access to news stories and blogs relevant to digital activism straight from the home page.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements: Team </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm]" US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;Howcast, Edelman, Google, MTV, MeetUp, Pepsi, CBS News, MobileAccord, YouTube, Facebook, MSNBC, National Geographic, Omnicom and Access 360 Media.<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters]" Alliance for Youth Movement, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc]" Summit Activities Guide, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet". <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/]" British Foreign Office: What is digital diplomacy?, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter! <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590]" Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World (1 July 2010), accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration. Led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], the US [[State Department]] has coined the term "21st Century Statecraft" to describe digital diplomacy <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm]" State Department: 21st Century Statecraft, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Foreign Policy: Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Jason Liebman: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>
One of the crucial underpinnings of "21st Century Statecraft" is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]]. <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc]" Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC' (Metro: 8 February 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness an anti-FARC sentiment and send a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1]" Twitter vs Terror (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> Through the 'empowerment' of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories will be available to contrast those that are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development". <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom, accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the digital diplomacy idea. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, as well as empowering people to allow them more access and freedom to others, it also allows groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] the resources to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref>. This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the mainstream of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental affect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] as well as Al Qaeda as technologies such as mobile phones have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref>. This shows then that instead of freeing up the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them even further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 
A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks in the year 2010 released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan war <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1]" New York Times: Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. These unprecedented leaks have lead to some criticism from the US Government and also groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton from Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/]" FoxNews.com: Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former Clinton and Bush counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html]" The age of cyber war has arrived (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy in a critical light as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information flows places many at danger if hackers find the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 
There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft" idea, has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as the references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and former State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp]" Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm]" BBC News: Bypassing China's net firewall (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> but in America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA]" NYTimes.com: US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This would again seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which will in the long-term harm internet freedom. Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html]" Huffington Post: The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/]" The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would then just seem that a process of hegemony would be taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century State" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics that are being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft]" The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case internet business - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], Google's CEO, [[Jack Dorsey]] who is Twitter's co-founder and Alliance for Youth Movements [[Jason Liebman]] <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Huffington Post: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that the originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community, so this criticism is not merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers to this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-09T15:18:00Z

Gavin Ross: /* Digital Diplomacy */

Ross Holland
Kashif Riaz
Kevin Harkins
Gavin Ross

==Overview==
The Alliance for Youth Movements is a not-for-profit organisation which is "dedicated to promoting, connecting, and supporting digital activists from around the world." It also hosts annual summits on ways in which to promote digital activism <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/about/]" Alliance for Youth Movements: About AYM, accessed on 8 November 2010 </ref>.

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with MTV, Google, YouTube, Facebook, Howcast, AT&T, Jet Blue, Gen-Next, Access360Media and Columbia Law School. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===

The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
Burma Global Action Network; 
CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba; 
Fight-Back; 
Genocide Intervention Network; 
Illuminemos México; 
Invisible Children; 
No Más Chávez; 
One Million People Against Crime in South Africa; 
One Million Voices Against the FARC; 
The People's March Against Knife Crime; 
Raíces de Esperanza; 
Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights; 
Save Darfur Coalition; 
To Write Love on Her Arms; 
Genç Siviller- Young Civilians; 
Youth for Tolerance.

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008]", Alliance for Youth Movement - New York City 2008, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about]", HowCast Website - About AYM, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09]", HowCast Website - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009]", Alliance for Youth Movements - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit]", Alliance for Youth Movements - The Summit, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top people from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx]", Wired.co.uk - Meet the World's Youth Activists, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action".

===Controversies===
Although there is seemingly widespread support for the AYM throughout the Western world, some of their activities, and more specifically, some of their alliegances have caused concern for controversy over the last three years.

AYM's support of the Venezuelan anti-presidential movement 'No Más Chávez' is considered to be a disguise of the U.S. State Department's opposition to Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela and critic of American Neoliberalism. The State Department has reportedly funded over $4 million to the Venezuelan private media over the last three years. They use the reason of the right to free speech to defend their actions. They say their objective is to "strengthen independent journalists by providing them with training, technical assistance, materials and greater access to innovative internet-based technologies that expand media coverage and increase their capacity to inform the public on a timely basis about the most critical policy issues impacting Venezuela." <ref>Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010</ref>
However, in Venezuela, there is little evidence of censorship within the media. In fact, there is a wide and fierce anti-Chávez element within the Venezuelan press. However, following the arrest of the president of a TV station opposed to Chávez<ref>Anti-Chávez TV Owner Faces Arrest, The Guardian, 14 June 2010</ref> the pressure, as well as support, has intensified from the U.S.
Nonetheless, AYM's support of a movement opposed to Chávez, who support economic alliegance with the U.S., questions their goals of promoting democracy and freedom, as Hugo Chávez is a democratically elected president.

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching over two years after the corganisation's formation, having previously used the HowCast website as their webpage.. The website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still being developed.

Users are given access to news stories and blogs relevant to digital activism straight from the home page.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements: Team </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm]" US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;Howcast, Edelman, Google, MTV, MeetUp, Pepsi, CBS News, MobileAccord, YouTube, Facebook, MSNBC, National Geographic, Omnicom and Access 360 Media.<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters]" Alliance for Youth Movement, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc]" Summit Activities Guide, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet". <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/]" British Foreign Office: What is digital diplomacy?, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter! <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590]" Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World (1 July 2010), accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration. Led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], the US [[State Department]] has coined the term "21st Century Statecraft" to describe digital diplomacy <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm]" State Department: 21st Century Statecraft, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Foreign Policy: Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others. <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Jason Liebman: Faceboo, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>
One of the crucial underpinnings of "21st Century Statecraft" is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]]. <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc]" Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC' (Metro: 8 February 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness an anti-FARC sentiment and send a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1]" Twitter vs Terror (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>. Through the 'empowerment' of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories will be available to contrast those that are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development". <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom, accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the digital diplomacy idea. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, as well as empowering people to allow them more access and freedom to others, it also allows groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] the resources to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref>. This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the mainstream of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental affect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] as well as Al Qaeda as technologies such as mobile phones have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref>. This shows then that instead of freeing up the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them even further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 
A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks in the year 2010 released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan war <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1]" New York Times: Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. These unprecedented leaks have lead to some criticism from the US Government and also groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton from Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/]" FoxNews.com: Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former Clinton and Bush counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html]" The age of cyber war has arrived (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy in a critical light as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information flows places many at danger if hackers find the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 
There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft" idea, has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as the references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and former State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp]" Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm]" BBC News: Bypassing China's net firewall (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> but in America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA]" NYTimes.com: US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This would again seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which will in the long-term harm internet freedom. Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html]" Huffington Post: The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/]" The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would then just seem that a process of hegemony would be taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century State" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics that are being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft]" The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case internet business - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], Google's CEO, [[Jack Dorsey]] who is Twitter's co-founder and Alliance for Youth Movements [[Jason Liebman]] <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Huffington Post: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that the originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community, so this criticism is not merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers to this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-09T15:16:22Z

Gavin Ross: /* Digital Diplomacy */

Ross Holland
Kashif Riaz
Kevin Harkins
Gavin Ross

==Overview==
The Alliance for Youth Movements is a not-for-profit organisation which is "dedicated to promoting, connecting, and supporting digital activists from around the world." It also hosts annual summits on ways in which to promote digital activism <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/about/]" Alliance for Youth Movements: About AYM, accessed on 8 November 2010 </ref>.

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with MTV, Google, YouTube, Facebook, Howcast, AT&T, Jet Blue, Gen-Next, Access360Media and Columbia Law School. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===

The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
Burma Global Action Network; 
CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba; 
Fight-Back; 
Genocide Intervention Network; 
Illuminemos México; 
Invisible Children; 
No Más Chávez; 
One Million People Against Crime in South Africa; 
One Million Voices Against the FARC; 
The People's March Against Knife Crime; 
Raíces de Esperanza; 
Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights; 
Save Darfur Coalition; 
To Write Love on Her Arms; 
Genç Siviller- Young Civilians; 
Youth for Tolerance.

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008]", Alliance for Youth Movement - New York City 2008, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about]", HowCast Website - About AYM, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09]", HowCast Website - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009]", Alliance for Youth Movements - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit]", Alliance for Youth Movements - The Summit, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top people from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx]", Wired.co.uk - Meet the World's Youth Activists, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action".

===Controversies===
Although there is seemingly widespread support for the AYM throughout the Western world, some of their activities, and more specifically, some of their alliegances have caused concern for controversy over the last three years.

AYM's support of the Venezuelan anti-presidential movement 'No Más Chávez' is considered to be a disguise of the U.S. State Department's opposition to Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela and critic of American Neoliberalism. The State Department has reportedly funded over $4 million to the Venezuelan private media over the last three years. They use the reason of the right to free speech to defend their actions. They say their objective is to "strengthen independent journalists by providing them with training, technical assistance, materials and greater access to innovative internet-based technologies that expand media coverage and increase their capacity to inform the public on a timely basis about the most critical policy issues impacting Venezuela." <ref>Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010</ref>
However, in Venezuela, there is little evidence of censorship within the media. In fact, there is a wide and fierce anti-Chávez element within the Venezuelan press. However, following the arrest of the president of a TV station opposed to Chávez<ref>Anti-Chávez TV Owner Faces Arrest, The Guardian, 14 June 2010</ref> the pressure, as well as support, has intensified from the U.S.
Nonetheless, AYM's support of a movement opposed to Chávez, who support economic alliegance with the U.S., questions their goals of promoting democracy and freedom, as Hugo Chávez is a democratically elected president.

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching over two years after the corganisation's formation, having previously used the HowCast website as their webpage.. The website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still being developed.

Users are given access to news stories and blogs relevant to digital activism straight from the home page.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements: Team </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm]" US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;Howcast, Edelman, Google, MTV, MeetUp, Pepsi, CBS News, MobileAccord, YouTube, Facebook, MSNBC, National Geographic, Omnicom and Access 360 Media.<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters]" Alliance for Youth Movement, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc]" Summit Activities Guide, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet" <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/]" British Foreign Office: What is digital diplomacy?, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref>. Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter! <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590]" Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World (1 July 2010), accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration. Led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], the US [[State Department]] has coined the term "21st Century Statecraft" to describe digital diplomacy <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm]" State Department: 21st Century Statecraft, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Foreign Policy: Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Jason Liebman: Faceboo, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>.
One of the crucial underpinnings of "21st Century Statecraft" is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]]. <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc]" Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC' (Metro: 8 February 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness an anti-FARC sentiment and send a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1]" Twitter vs Terror (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>. Through the 'empowerment' of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories will be available to contrast those that are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts. <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> This will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development". <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom, accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the digital diplomacy idea. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, as well as empowering people to allow them more access and freedom to others, it also allows groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] the resources to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref>. This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the mainstream of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental affect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] as well as Al Qaeda as technologies such as mobile phones have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref>. This shows then that instead of freeing up the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them even further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 
A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks in the year 2010 released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan war <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1]" New York Times: Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. These unprecedented leaks have lead to some criticism from the US Government and also groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton from Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/]" FoxNews.com: Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former Clinton and Bush counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html]" The age of cyber war has arrived (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy in a critical light as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information flows places many at danger if hackers find the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 
There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft" idea, has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as the references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and former State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp]" Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm]" BBC News: Bypassing China's net firewall (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> but in America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA]" NYTimes.com: US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This would again seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which will in the long-term harm internet freedom. Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html]" Huffington Post: The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/]" The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would then just seem that a process of hegemony would be taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century State" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics that are being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft]" The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case internet business - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], Google's CEO, [[Jack Dorsey]] who is Twitter's co-founder and Alliance for Youth Movements [[Jason Liebman]] <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Huffington Post: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that the originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community, so this criticism is not merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers to this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-09T15:13:57Z

Gavin Ross: /* Digital Diplomacy */

Ross Holland
Kashif Riaz
Kevin Harkins
Gavin Ross

==Overview==
The Alliance for Youth Movements is a not-for-profit organisation which is "dedicated to promoting, connecting, and supporting digital activists from around the world." It also hosts annual summits on ways in which to promote digital activism <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/about/]" Alliance for Youth Movements: About AYM, accessed on 8 November 2010 </ref>.

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with MTV, Google, YouTube, Facebook, Howcast, AT&T, Jet Blue, Gen-Next, Access360Media and Columbia Law School. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===

The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
Burma Global Action Network; 
CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba; 
Fight-Back; 
Genocide Intervention Network; 
Illuminemos México; 
Invisible Children; 
No Más Chávez; 
One Million People Against Crime in South Africa; 
One Million Voices Against the FARC; 
The People's March Against Knife Crime; 
Raíces de Esperanza; 
Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights; 
Save Darfur Coalition; 
To Write Love on Her Arms; 
Genç Siviller- Young Civilians; 
Youth for Tolerance.

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008]", Alliance for Youth Movement - New York City 2008, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about]", HowCast Website - About AYM, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09]", HowCast Website - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009]", Alliance for Youth Movements - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit]", Alliance for Youth Movements - The Summit, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top people from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx]", Wired.co.uk - Meet the World's Youth Activists, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action".

===Controversies===
Although there is seemingly widespread support for the AYM throughout the Western world, some of their activities, and more specifically, some of their alliegances have caused concern for controversy over the last three years.

AYM's support of the Venezuelan anti-presidential movement 'No Más Chávez' is considered to be a disguise of the U.S. State Department's opposition to Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela and critic of American Neoliberalism. The State Department has reportedly funded over $4 million to the Venezuelan private media over the last three years. They use the reason of the right to free speech to defend their actions. They say their objective is to "strengthen independent journalists by providing them with training, technical assistance, materials and greater access to innovative internet-based technologies that expand media coverage and increase their capacity to inform the public on a timely basis about the most critical policy issues impacting Venezuela." <ref>Buying the Press, Sri Lanka Daily News, July 29 2010</ref>
However, in Venezuela, there is little evidence of censorship within the media. In fact, there is a wide and fierce anti-Chávez element within the Venezuelan press. However, following the arrest of the president of a TV station opposed to Chávez<ref>Anti-Chávez TV Owner Faces Arrest, The Guardian, 14 June 2010</ref> the pressure, as well as support, has intensified from the U.S.
Nonetheless, AYM's support of a movement opposed to Chávez, who support economic alliegance with the U.S., questions their goals of promoting democracy and freedom, as Hugo Chávez is a democratically elected president.

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching over two years after the corganisation's formation, having previously used the HowCast website as their webpage.. The website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still being developed.

Users are given access to news stories and blogs relevant to digital activism straight from the home page.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements: Team </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm]" US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;Howcast, Edelman, Google, MTV, MeetUp, Pepsi, CBS News, MobileAccord, YouTube, Facebook, MSNBC, National Geographic, Omnicom and Access 360 Media.<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters]" Alliance for Youth Movement, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc]" Summit Activities Guide, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet" <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/]" British Foreign Office: What is digital diplomacy?, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref>. Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter! <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590]" Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World (1 July 2010), accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref> This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration. Led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], the US [[State Department]] has coined the term "21st Century Statecraft" to describe digital diplomacy <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm]" State Department: 21st Century Statecraft, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites. <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Foreign Policy: Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Jason Liebman: Faceboo, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>.
One of the crucial underpinnings of "21st Century Statecraft" is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]]. <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc]" Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC' (Metro: 8 February 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref> This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness an anti-FARC sentiment and send a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1]" Twitter vs Terror (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>. Through the "empowerment" of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories to the ones which are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy it is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development" <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom, accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>.
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the digital diplomacy idea. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, as well as empowering people to allow them more access and freedom to others, it also allows groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] the resources to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref>. This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the mainstream of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental affect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] as well as Al Qaeda as technologies such as mobile phones have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref>. This shows then that instead of freeing up the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them even further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 
A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks in the year 2010 released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan war <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1]" New York Times: Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. These unprecedented leaks have lead to some criticism from the US Government and also groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton from Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/]" FoxNews.com: Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former Clinton and Bush counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html]" The age of cyber war has arrived (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy in a critical light as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information flows places many at danger if hackers find the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 
There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft" idea, has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as the references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and former State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp]" Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm]" BBC News: Bypassing China's net firewall (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> but in America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA]" NYTimes.com: US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This would again seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which will in the long-term harm internet freedom. Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html]" Huffington Post: The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/]" The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would then just seem that a process of hegemony would be taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century State" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics that are being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft]" The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case internet business - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], Google's CEO, [[Jack Dorsey]] who is Twitter's co-founder and Alliance for Youth Movements [[Jason Liebman]] <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Huffington Post: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that the originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community, so this criticism is not merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers to this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Gen Next

2010-11-09T14:00:07Z

Gavin Ross:

==History==
Gen Next is an "exclusive, Membership-driven organization of successful and committed individuals aimed at overcoming generational challenges in three areas: economic growth, education and international security" <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/about/overview/]" Gen Next: Overview, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. It was co-founded by [[Alliance for Youth Movement]] co-founder [[Roman Tsunder]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> and members are only admitted after being invited to join and pay a $10,000 annual contribution <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next: Member Profiles, accessed 14 October 2010 </ref>. To be invited to join Gen Next, you are first required to have been nominated by two active members of the group <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next: Become a Member, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. It would also appear that the political affiliation of Gen Next is of a [[Republican]] nature, as the Gen Next [[PAC]] have donated to [[Republican]] candidates and on the 30 June 2009, gave $5000 to the [[National Republican Congressional Committee]] <ref> "[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/com_supopp/C00392795/]" FEC Disclourse Report, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>.

==Selected Members==
Members include <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next: Membership Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>:

[[Jason Childs]] 
[[Jared Cohen]] 
[[Jeff Gehl]] 
[[Jason Liebman]] 
[[Roman Tsunder]] 

==Notes==
<references/>
==Further References==
[http://www.gen-next.org/ Gen Next Website]

Jared Cohen

2010-11-08T21:27:58Z

Gavin Ross: /* Iran */

==Biography==
Jared Cohen is a former member of staff at the [[United States Department of State]] from 2006 under [[Condoleezza Rice]] <ref>"[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/54/?xmlhttp=true], Gen Next Membership Profiles, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> until 2010 under Secretary [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]] <ref>"[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/09/07/jared_cohen], State Department Innovator Jared Cohen goes to Google, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref>. Cohen left the [[State Department]] to take on a new role in [[Google]] as the Director of the newly set up Google Ideas.

Cohen has a BA from [[Standford University]] and a M.Phil in International Relations from [[Oxford University]] which he attended as a [[Rhodes Scholar]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team], Alliance for Youth Movements: Team, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. He is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]] and a member of a group called [[Gen Next]] <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next Member Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>, which was set up by fellow co-founder and board member [[Roman Tsunder]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team], Alliance for Youth Movements: Team, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> alongside [[Jason Liebman]] who is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]] <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next Member Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>.

==Iran==
Cohen has a keen interest in Iranian affairs. While a graduate at [[Oxford University]], Cohen was able to gain a visa to go to Iran and in his own words, "interview members of the political resistance" <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein]" Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. It was here he met people of his own age and he says that the youth of Iran are the most pro-American population in the Middle East <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein]" Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>.
During the Iranian Presidential Election of 2009, Cohen was again thrust into the media spotlight due to his close relationship with co-founder of the social networking site [[Twitter]], [[Jack Dorsey]]. On the Monday after the disputed Iranian Presidential Election, Cohen asked Dorsey to put off a site maintenance update scheduled as this would have meant that Iranians would have been unable to inform the rest of the world through Twitter the events that were taking place in Tehran <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html]" Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. Cohen, working for Secretary [[Clinton]] under the administration of President [[Barack Obama]], placed himself at odds with official policy which was to avoid the appearance of meddling in the Iranian elections, but according to Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs [[P.J. Crowley]], Cohen was merely asking Twitter to maintain service to a situation that had already started days before this incident <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html]" Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>.

==Selected Bibliography==
Cohen has written two books, which are <ref> "[http://www.amazon.com/Jared-Cohen/e/B001IXO96E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1287081442&sr=8-1]" Jared Cohen: Amazon.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>:

'''Children of Jihad: A Young American's Travel Among the Youth of the Middle East''' (2008) 
'''One Hundred Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide''' (2007) 

==Notes==
<references/>

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jaredcohen Jared Cohen Twitter Page] 
[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein New Yorker Profile] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile] 
[http://www.state.gov/s/p/115458.htm State Department Profile]

Jared Cohen

2010-11-08T21:27:08Z

Gavin Ross: /* Biography */

==Biography==
Jared Cohen is a former member of staff at the [[United States Department of State]] from 2006 under [[Condoleezza Rice]] <ref>"[http://www.gen-next.org/index.php/membership/members/profile/-/view/54/?xmlhttp=true], Gen Next Membership Profiles, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref> until 2010 under Secretary [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]] <ref>"[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/09/07/jared_cohen], State Department Innovator Jared Cohen goes to Google, accessed on 12 October 2010 </ref>. Cohen left the [[State Department]] to take on a new role in [[Google]] as the Director of the newly set up Google Ideas.

Cohen has a BA from [[Standford University]] and a M.Phil in International Relations from [[Oxford University]] which he attended as a [[Rhodes Scholar]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team], Alliance for Youth Movements: Team, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. He is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]] and a member of a group called [[Gen Next]] <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next Member Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>, which was set up by fellow co-founder and board member [[Roman Tsunder]] <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team], Alliance for Youth Movements: Team, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref> alongside [[Jason Liebman]] who is also a co-founder and board member of the [[Alliance for Youth Movements]] <ref> "[http://www.gen-next.org/membership/members/]" Gen Next Member Profiles, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>.

==Iran==
Cohen has a keen interest in Iranian affairs. While a graduate at [[Oxford Universiy]], Cohen was able to gain a visa to go to Iran and in his own words, "interview members of the political resistance" <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein]" Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. It was here he met people of his own age and he says that the youth of Iran are the most pro-American population in the Middle East <ref> "[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein]" Precocious: Condi's Party Starter: The New Yorker (5 November 2007), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>.
During the Iranian Presidential Election of 2009, Cohen was again thrust into the media spotlight due to his close relationship with co-founder of the social networkng site [[Twitter]], [[Jack Dorsey]]. On the Monday after the disputed Iranian Presidential Election, Cohen asked Dorsey to put off a site maintenance update scheduled as this would have meant that Iranians would have been unable to inform the rest of the world through Twitter the events that were taking place in Tehran <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html]" Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>. Cohen, working for Secretary [[Clinton]] under the adminstration of President [[Barack Obama]], placed himself at odds with official policy which was to avoid the appearance of meddling in the Iranian elections, but according to Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs [[P.J. Crowley]], Cohen was merely asking Twitter to maintain service to a situation that had already started days before this incident <ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html]" Washington Taps Into a Potent New Force in Diplomacy: New York Times (16 June 2009), accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>.

==Selected Bibliography==
Cohen has written two books, which are <ref> "[http://www.amazon.com/Jared-Cohen/e/B001IXO96E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1287081442&sr=8-1]" Jared Cohen: Amazon.com, accessed on 14 October 2010 </ref>:

'''Children of Jihad: A Young American's Travel Among the Youth of the Middle East''' (2008) 
'''One Hundred Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide''' (2007) 

==Notes==
<references/>

==Further References==
[http://twitter.com/jaredcohen Jared Cohen Twitter Page] 
[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/11/05/071105ta_talk_lichtenstein New Yorker Profile] 
[http://www.movements.org/pages/team Alliance for Youth Movements Profile] 
[http://www.state.gov/s/p/115458.htm State Department Profile]

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-08T20:08:08Z

Gavin Ross:

Ross Holland
Kashif Riaz
Kevin Harkins
Gavin Ross

==Overview==
The Alliance for Youth Movements is a not-for-profit organisation which is "dedicated to promoting, connecting, and supporting digital activists from around the world." It also hosts annual summits on ways in which to promote digital activism <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/about/]" Alliance for Youth Movements: About AYM, accessed on 8 November 2010 </ref>.

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with MTV, Google, YouTube, Facebook, Howcast, AT&T, Jet Blue, Gen-Next, Access360Media and Columbia Law School. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===

The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
Burma Global Action Network; 
CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba; 
Fight-Back; 
Genocide Intervention Network; 
Illuminemos México; 
Invisible Children; 
No Más Chávez; 
One Million People Against Crime in South Africa; 
One Million Voices Against the FARC; 
The People's March Against Knife Crime; 
Raíces de Esperanza; 
Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights; 
Save Darfur Coalition; 
To Write Love on Her Arms; 
Genç Siviller- Young Civilians; 
Youth for Tolerance.

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008]", Alliance for Youth Movement - New York City 2008, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about]", HowCast Website - About AYM, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09]", HowCast Website - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009]", Alliance for Youth Movements - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit]", Alliance for Youth Movements - The Summit, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top people from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx]", Wired.co.uk - Meet the World's Youth Activists, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action".

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching over two years after the corganisation's formation, having previously used the HowCast website as their webpage.. The website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still being developed.

Users are given access to news stories and blogs relevant to digital activism straight from the home page.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements: Team </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm]" US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;Howcast, Edelman, Google, MTV, MeetUp, Pepsi, CBS News, MobileAccord, YouTube, Facebook, MSNBC, National Geographic, Omnicom and Access 360 Media.<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters]" Alliance for Youth Movement, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc]" Summit Activities Guide, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet" <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/]" British Foreign Office: What is digital diplomacy?, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref>. Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in new social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other such sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avoid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590]" Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World (1 July 2010), accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref>! This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration and led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]]. The US [[State Department]] has a term from digital diplomacy and have called this "21st Century Statecraft" <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm]" State Department: 21st Century Statecraft, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and this is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Foreign Policy: Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref>. The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Jason Liebman: Faceboo, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>.
One of the crucial underpinnings of 21st Century Statecraft is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]] <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc]" Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC' (Metro: 8 February 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>. This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness anti-FARC sentiment and sent a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1]" Twitter vs Terror (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>. Through the "empowerment" of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories to the ones which are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy it is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development" <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom, accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>.
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the digital diplomacy idea. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, as well as empowering people to allow them more access and freedom to others, it also allows groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] the resources to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref>. This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the mainstream of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental affect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] as well as Al Qaeda as technologies such as mobile phones have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref>. This shows then that instead of freeing up the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them even further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 
A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks in the year 2010 released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan war <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1]" New York Times: Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. These unprecedented leaks have lead to some criticism from the US Government and also groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton from Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/]" FoxNews.com: Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former Clinton and Bush counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html]" The age of cyber war has arrived (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy in a critical light as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information flows places many at danger if hackers find the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 
There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft" idea, has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as the references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and former State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp]" Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm]" BBC News: Bypassing China's net firewall (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> but in America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA]" NYTimes.com: US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This would again seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which will in the long-term harm internet freedom. Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html]" Huffington Post: The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/]" The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would then just seem that a process of hegemony would be taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century State" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics that are being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft]" The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case internet business - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], Google's CEO, [[Jack Dorsey]] who is Twitter's co-founder and Alliance for Youth Movements [[Jason Liebman]] <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Huffington Post: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that the originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community, so this criticism is not merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers to this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Alliance for Youth Movements

2010-11-08T20:04:10Z

Gavin Ross: /* Criticisms */

Ross Holland
Kashif Riaz
Kevin Harkins
Gavin Ross

==History==
Alliance for Youth Movement (AYM) was formed in 2008 with a summit held in New York City. The event was organised by the US State Department partnered with MTV, Google, YouTube, Facebook, Howcast, AT&T, Jet Blue, Gen-Next, Access360Media and Columbia Law School. The aim was to encourage young people from around the world to use various digital mediums to voice their concerns over global issues such as oppression and censorship.

The AYM Summit is now an annual event, most recently being held in London on March 2010, after Mexico City hosted in 2009.

===New York City 2008 Summit===

The founding AYM Summit took place in New York City on December 3-5 2008.

There were seventeen leaders in attendance from their respective organisations; 
Burma Global Action Network; 
CAMBIO/Día de Solidaridad con Cuba; 
Fight-Back; 
Genocide Intervention Network; 
Illuminemos México; 
Invisible Children; 
No Más Chávez; 
One Million People Against Crime in South Africa; 
One Million Voices Against the FARC; 
The People's March Against Knife Crime; 
Raíces de Esperanza; 
Saudi Women Petitioning the Government for Driving Rights; 
Save Darfur Coalition; 
To Write Love on Her Arms; 
Genç Siviller- Young Civilians; 
Youth for Tolerance.

The Summit featured a variety of high-profile keynote speakers, including two of the AYM co-founders, Jason Liebman and Roman Tsunder. Also present were Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, James K. Glassman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,and Actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Among the topics and issues raised were "Building a Movement Against Terrorism", "Building a Global Movement", "How to Be an Effective Dissident", " Addressing Violence at Home" and "Mobilizing in a Challenging Environment".<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/new-york-city-2008]", Alliance for Youth Movement - New York City 2008, accessed 15 October 2010</ref>

===Mexico City 2009 Summit===

Due to the success of the original AYM Summit, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, organised a second AYM summit to be held in Mexico City the following year.<ref> [http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/aym-about]", HowCast Website - About AYM, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Clinton gave her support in Mexico City just six months prior to the Summit:
"Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment, which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance of Youth Movements, to connect up young people working to end to end violence throughout Latin America, whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help."<ref>"[http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09]", HowCast Website - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

The event raised awareness to humanitarian issues present in Mexico, as well as highlighting success stories from the previous AYM Summit.

However, the main goal of this conference was to encourage the use of Social Networking to "Effect Change", with particular emphasis put on Twitter, Facebook and viral video websites such as Howcast. <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/mexico-city-2009]", Alliance for Youth Movements - Mexico City 2009, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Hillary Clinton reinforced her endorsement of the AYM, when she addressed the 2009 Summit via a video message. She said:“Young people around the world are poised to lead this kind of innovative citizen empowerment – which is why the United States is supporting a summit here in Mexico of Alliance for Youth Movements – to connect up young people working to end violence throughout Latin America – whether it’s domestic violence or dating violence or lawlessness in the streets of your community, we must all take a stand against violence. And this is a new tool that will help." <ref>"[http://www.movements.org/pages/the-summit]", Alliance for Youth Movements - The Summit, accessed 29 October 2010</ref>

===London 2010 Summit===
AYM held its third annual Summit in London, UK between March 9-11 2010.

Just like the two previous Summits, several high-profile supporters from the private-sector attended, such as "Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP, Scott Heiferman of MeetUp, as well as top people from Google, YouTube and the World Bank." <ref>"[http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/10/meet-the-world%27s-youth-activists.aspx]", Wired.co.uk - Meet the World's Youth Activists, accessed 16 October 2010</ref>

Some of the most striking topics discussed in London were issues such as "Tech Solutions to Repressive Regimes", "Turning Video into Tangible Action", "Turning Social Networks into Real Community" and "How to Create Content and Conversation that Drives Action".

===AYM Website Launch===
Movements.org is AYM's official website, launching over two years after the corganisation's formation, having previously used the HowCast website as their webpage.. The website is still in testing mode with parts of the site still being developed.

Users are given access to news stories and blogs relevant to digital activism straight from the home page.

==People==
===Team===
<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/team]" Alliance for Youth Movements: Team </ref>

[[Jason Liebman]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Roman Tsunder]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Jared Cohen]] '''Co-Founder and Board Member''' 
[[Susannah Vila]] '''Director of Content and Outreach''' 
[[Rachel Silver]] '''Development and Corporate Partnership Manager''' 

==Funding==
Funding for the organisation comes in from various parties, in order for it to maintain its massive worldwide network and communities. Major contributors include both the UK and U.S governments, with Hilary Clinton vocally giving her, and the states, support and endorsement of the second Alliance for Youth movements annual summit<ref>"[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/130503.htm]" US Department of State website, Hilary Clinton, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>,held on the 14 - 16 October 2009 in Mexico City. The Alliance for Youth movements also makes the most of its corporate sponsorships in generating funds with numerous corporate organisations supporting and sponsoring the movement. Named on the movements website are all of its partners, which include;Howcast, Edelman, Google, MTV, MeetUp, Pepsi, CBS News, MobileAccord, YouTube, Facebook, MSNBC, National Geographic, Omnicom and Access 360 Media.<ref> "[http://www.movements.org/pages/supporters]" Alliance for Youth Movement, accessed 24 October 2010</ref>

==Activities==
The AYM invited members of the following organisations to their most recent summit in London 2010, and works with and endorses the following activities <ref> "[http://www.movements.org/.../-/Bio%20Book%20AYM%20Summit%202010.doc]" Summit Activities Guide, accessed on 30 October 2010 </ref>:

[[AccessNow.org]]: Formed after the 2009 Iranian election, an objective is to create a team of global activists and work to provide access to areas in which internet access is denied. 
[[B'Tselem]]: who intend to "monitor, document and advocate an improvement in the Human Rights in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." 
[[Center for American Progress]]: a think-tank designed to stimulate national debate. 
[[Digital Democracy]]: work with people who feel abused or neglected in South and South-East Asia. 
[[Enough]]: works in countries where an abuse of Human Rights or genocide occurs. 
[[Ethnomedia and Development]]: use the media to promote values like Human Rights and justice. 
[[Frontline SMS]]: allows people to network via phones which are used as communication hubs. 
[[Genc Siviller]]: founded in Turkey in 2006. Online youth culture formed as it aims to establish liberal democracy with 2 million members on Facebook. 
[[Genocide Intervention Network]]: formed 2005 with aim to aid those at risk from genocide. 
[[Halafire Media, LLC]]: privately-held media company based in California. Networks affluent global Muslim communities; with 27 million page views and over 7.5 million unique annual visitors. The website properties attract those with disposable income and want to spend and can market to them in an industry worth 170 million dollars in the US alone. 
[[Interfaith Youth Care]]: allows millions of young religious people to interact frequently. 
[[Kiwanja.net]]: provides access to technology for NGO's in the developing world. 70% of mobile phone users form third world countries. Organisation has worked in Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo and Cambodia. 
[[MEPEACE.org]]: network for peacemakers; more than a million page visits and active in 170 countries and 6000 cities. [[MidEastYouth.com]]: combat oppression in the Middle East and North Africa. 
[[OneVoice]]: works in Israel and Palestine; 650,000 members and have trained 2000 youth leaders. 
[[Pakistan Youth Alliance]]: allows young people to affect change. 
[[Sisters Against Violent Extremism/Women Without Borders]]: global lobbying organisation for women. 
[[Save Darfur Coalition]]: Fouded in 2004; 180 religious, humanitarian and political organisations work to deal with Darfur crisis. 
[[Un Million de Voces Fundacion]]: A Facebook group created in January 4 2008 and demanded a march a month later. 500,000 members joined in a month alone and 12 million connected via social netowrking to protest in 200 cities in 40 countries against the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces). 
[[Youngsters Foundation International]]: provides social network for African youths to discuss worldwide issues.

==Digital Diplomacy==
In its simplest terms, Digital Diplomacy is "solving foreign policy through the internet" <ref> "[http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk/en/about/digital-diplomacy/]" British Foreign Office: What is digital diplomacy?, accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref>. Digital Diplomacy is being driven by the increase in new social media sites such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]] and other such sites. In a speech called "Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World", British Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] said that he was an avoid follower of Bahrain's Foreign Minister on Twitter <ref> "[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=22462590]" Speech by William Hague: Britain's Foreign Policy in a Networked World (1 July 2010), accessed on 19 October 2010 </ref>! This is an indication that the new social networking experience is playing a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts of governments.
In the United States, this has been a crucial function of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration and led by Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]]. The US [[State Department]] has a term from digital diplomacy and have called this "21st Century Statecraft" <ref> "[http://www.state.gov/statecraft/index.htm]" State Department: 21st Century Statecraft, accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref> and this is central to the diplomatic strategy of the State Department. One crucial part of the digital diplomacy strategy is the freedom of the internet around the world. In a speech on internet freedom, Secretary Clinton said that "freedom to connect" was important to stop governments from preventing citizens from viewing websites <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Foreign Policy: Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 20 October 2010 </ref>. The State Department in implementing this policy are harnessing the knowledge of leaders in the internet and social networking arena such as [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Google]] CEO as well as Twitter co-founder [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Jason Liebman]] of Howcast and the Alliance for Youth Movements as well as many others <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Jason Liebman: Faceboo, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>.
One of the crucial underpinnings of 21st Century Statecraft is the idea that through these networking opportunities, the individual at street level will be empowered. We have seen examples of this when [[Oscar Morales]] started a Facebook campaign against Colombian terrorist organisation [[FARC]] <ref> "[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812277-oscar-morales-how-i-used-facebook-to-protest-against-farc]" Oscar Morales: 'How I used Facebook to protest FARC' (Metro: 8 February 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>. This is an example of digital diplomacy in action as Morales is using Facebook to be able to harness anti-FARC sentiment and sent a message towards that organisation. Senator [[Richard Lugar]] has pointed out that governments theoretically will not be able to control the messages the people will hear if the internet is open and accessible to all fully which means people will become "empowered" by this type of interaction <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/06/twitter_vs_terror?page=0,1]" Twitter vs Terror (6 January 2010), accessed on 26 October 2010 </ref>. Through the "empowerment" of people through the internet it is possible that alternate histories to the ones which are the officially governmentally sanctioned accounts <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Distruption (Novemember/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref> will empower people through the internet as they should be able to make a balanced judgement of what has happened in the history of their nation. This type of diplomacy it is hoped will lead to, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "advance democracy and human rights, fight climate change and epidemics, build global support for President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and encourage sustainable economic development" <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom, accessed on 27 Ocotber 2010 </ref>.
===Criticisms===
There are however many criticisms of the digital diplomacy idea. One of the most fundamental criticisms is one that is acknowledged by the supporters of this diplomatic technique. It is an acknowledged fact that through internet freedom, as well as empowering people to allow them more access and freedom to others, it also allows groups such as [[Al Qaeda]] the resources to plan attacks on the internet and proclaim extremist views and values to a much wider audience <ref> "[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom?page=full]" Hillary Clinton on internet freedom (21 January 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref>. This is the double-edged sword of digital diplomacy and internet freedom as it allows groups that are not in the mainstream of public opinion the chance to have an outlet for their views globally and this could have a detrimental affect on the foreign relations of nations, which would seem not to solve foreign policy problems through the internet. While the empowerment argument is one of the strongest arguments used for the increasing usage of digital diplomacy, empowerment has also happened to groups such as the [[Taliban]] as well as Al Qaeda as technologies such as mobile phones have allowed them to recruit activists more freely and also terrorise local populations to achieve the aims that they have <ref> "[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66781/eric-schmidt-and-jared-cohen/the-digital-disruption?page=show]" Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen: The Digital Disruption (November/December 2010), accessed on 27 October 2010 </ref>. This shows then that instead of freeing up the population of oppressive regimes, it may actually oppressive them even further. This is because through these new types of social networking opportunities, oppressive groups are able to intimidate their victims more freely. This again shows the double-edged sword of the digital diplomacy debate because as well as empowering people, these new types of technologies may oppressive people even further. 
A further issue that arises from the movement of information more freely is that organisations may be publish information that could damage national security. This is one of the arguments that is one that is used against whistle-blower sites such as [[WikiLeaks]]. WikiLeaks in the year 2010 released classified documents on the internet in conjunction with news organisations of US logs in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 400,000 logs on the Iraq War were released and some 77,000 were released on the Afghanistan war <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/world/24assange.html?_r=1]" New York Times: Wikileaks Founder on the Run, Chased by Turmoil (23 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. These unprecedented leaks have lead to some criticism from the US Government and also groups such as Amnesty International who say that by releasing the names of informants in the Afghanistan War Logs, the lives of these people have been put in danger. There has also been criticism from Christian Whiton from Fox News, who says that by releasing these documents, Wikileaks is by nature a foreign enemy of the United States <ref> "[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/25/christian-whiton-wiki-leaks-ignore-threat-obama-democrats-congress-iraq-war/]" FoxNews.com: Why Do We Keep Ignoring the WikiLeaks Threat? (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. This shows that through digital diplomacy, while attempting to free the movement of information, information may be used against nations which could undermine their national security and threaten the lives of those on the ground. It will also make it more difficult to identify the enemy as it is likely that anonymous IP addresses will be used to mask the identity of people which will make it more difficult for the groups who've been undermined by this information to fashion a specific response. Former Clinton and Bush counter-terrorism advisor [[Richard Clarke]] has predicted a "doomsday scenario" which involves hacking of [[Pentagon]] computers, leading to refinery explosions and deletion of data of the Federal Reserve and major banks. In this scenario, Clarke envisions thousands dying, food shortages and lootings as well as the crippling of the financial system and transport infrastructure <ref> "[http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/cyber+arrived/3722461/story.html]" The age of cyber war has arrived (25 October 2010), accessed on 28 October 2010 </ref>. In this scenario, it is clear that this is one of the most dangerous and deadly attacks on a nation without a single bomb being dropped on a major city as it requires hackers being able to navigate their way around government computers. This makes the further usage of digital diplomacy in a critical light as through the use of this technology and the freedom of information flows places many at danger if hackers find the ability to hack into government and other vital institutional networks. 
There is though another side to the criticisms of digital diplomacy. This side involves the conflicting messages that America itself gives out on the issue of internet freedom. If we analyse the case of WikiLeaks, we can see that this would by definition fit into the idea of "21st Century Statecraft" and the freer movement of information around the world. Of course by the reaction of the Obama Administration, which has been to heavily condemn the leaking of classified military information, we can see that while in theory America supports more open and transparent communications, in practice they do not support this if they believe it will damage their national security. The way in which America also looks at internet freedom in other countries is also a key way to look at how seriously America take the idea and ideals of free internet. Evgeny Morozov, who is a prominent critic of the "21st Century Statecraft" idea, has asked if America are actually trying to create a new Cold War, in this case a "Cyber" Cold War <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. Morozov makes this point as he points to the repeated references that Secretary Clinton makes in her speech on internet freedom on the Cold War, such as the references to the Berlin Wall. Morozov also points to the descrepancies in American policing of internet freedom. Morozov points to what he calls "soft touch" on Chinese leaders in Clinton's speech <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/01/21/cyber_cold_war]" Is Hillary Clinton launching a cyber Cold War (21 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> while the American administration takes a fairly hard-line stance against countries such as Iran who have been restricting internet access. While taking a neutral stance during the 2009 Iranian elections, Alliance for Youth Movements co-founder and former State Department staffer [[Jared Cohen]] contacted Twitter to stop a planned maintenance to keep Iran 'twittering' during that period <ref> "[http://www.mediabistro.com/baynewser/twitter/profile_the_kid_at_the_state_department_who_figured_out_the_iranians_should_be_allowed_to_keep_tweeting_119136.asp]" Profile: The Kid at the State Department Who Figured Out the Iranians Should Be Allowed to Keep Twittering (17 June 2009), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. While this could be seen as a contradiction of the stance that the Obama Administration were planning on taking, Cohen was not cautioned by his superiors (see [[Jared Cohen]] for further details), this shows an immediate contradiction at the heart of the American policy. There has also been significant investment in attempting to go around firewalls in countries such as China by Western nations to free up internet access for those in countries like China <ref> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3548035.stm]" BBC News: Bypassing China's net firewall (10 March 2004) accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> but in America itself, there have been legislative attempts to make it easier for government agencies to get around encryption online to support their counter-terrorism efforts <ref> "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1288735265-UgYbmcUIDusVy/2pWyeykA]" NYTimes.com: US Tries to Make it Easier to Wiretap the Internet (27 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This would again seem a contradiction at the heart of the idea of freeing up the internet to increase the spread of information. While in no way questioning the importance of counter-terrorism operations, it surely undermines the ideal of full internet freedom for everyone if the government have the ability to use a form of 'wiretapping' online which will increase the government's ability to 'snoop' on citizens which will in the long-term harm internet freedom. Finally, the funding by the government of programmes such as the Alliance for Youth Movements (which has received funding from both British and American governments <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-vila/the-wrong-debate-why-we-s_b_752531.html]" Huffington Post: The Wrong Debate: Why We Should Stop Debating Technology's Relevance and Start Figuring Out How to Effectively Leverage It (6 October 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>) undermines the credibilty of these programmes. This is because they could be seen as a mere expansion of the power of these nations <ref> "[http://samibengharbia.com/2010/09/17/the-internet-freedom-fallacy-and-the-arab-digital-activism/]" The Internet Freedom Fallacy and the Arab Digital activism (17 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref> which again undermines the ideal of full internet freedom. It would then just seem that a process of hegemony would be taking place through the internet and digital diplomacy. Of course the links that digital diplomacy and "21st Century State" seem to have very old methods attached to them. As Morozov points out, many of the tactics that are being employed to increase the freedom of the internet are grounded in traditional lobbying methods that have been in use for decades <ref> "[http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/the_20th_century_roots_of_the_21st_century_statecraft]" The 20th century roots of 21st century statecraft (7 September 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This could be proof that it is merely the interests of big business - in this case internet business - that are being advanced through digital diplomacy. Secretary Clinton herself as had meetings with the movers and shakers of the internet such as [[Eric Schmidt]], Google's CEO, [[Jack Dorsey]] who is Twitter's co-founder and Alliance for Youth Movements [[Jason Liebman]] <ref> "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-liebman/perspective-on-digital-di_b_416876.html]" Huffington Post: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Are Tools for Diplomacy (8 January 2010), accessed on 5 November 2010 </ref>. This is possibly the most potent criticism of digital diplomacy as it links in with the over-reaching idea of this type of diplomacy merely being used to further the position of Western ideas and the companies that the originate in. It must though also be said that this could be used in exactly the same way by other countries out with the major powers to improve their position in the international community, so this criticism is not merely a criticism of the debate through a Western view but one in which there are many different layers to this complex debate.

==Contact==
Alliance for Youth Movements Website<ref>"[http://www.movements.org/ Movements Homapage]", Alliance for Youth Movements, accessed 12 October 2010</ref>

==Notes==
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