“Every voice counts. Every foot on the ground, every time you sign a petition – those things add up”

Campaigning comes in many forms. But at its heart is a deeply-held desire to change things for the better.

Transforming your voice into meaningful action takes passion and commitment. But the people who have been there and done it successfully can help you along the way.

That国产视频檚 what the podcast series Better Angels is all about. Hosted by 国产视频 President Sarah Brown, each episode features guests talking about how they found their activist voice and the challenges they faced in their campaigning.

In the new episode, Sarah looks at campaigning US-style by talking in Washington, DC,聽to American activists and campaigners Jamira Burley, Michael Gibbons and Michael Silberman.

Listen to the full episode here

The United States has a distinguished history of extraordinary campaigns for change, including the anti-war demonstrations, civil rights movements and LGBTI rights campaigns, women国产视频檚 and black power movements 国产视频� right up to the present day with the women国产视频檚 march and Black Lives Matter movement.

国产视频淲hen you see change happen, after a well-targeted campaign, it国产视频檚 a magical moment,国产视频� says Sarah. Here国产视频檚 a taste of what her guests have to say.

Jamira Burley, youth activist

Jamira has worked for Amnesty International, been a United Nations education champion and was named in the Forbes 30 under 30 list.

Since her podcast interview,聽she has started a new role with the Global Business Coalition for Education to lead a new initiative on the worldwide gap in skills for young people.

Jamira聽became an anti-gun violence campaigner after the murder of her brother Andre in 2005.

国产视频淚国产视频檝e been passionate about the issues that are hurting some of the most vulnerable populations,国产视频� she says.

Jamira says it helps when people like her get into institutions to change them from the inside. It reminds them where their passions lie.

She has this message for campaigners: 国产视频淓very voice counts. Every foot on the ground, every time you sign a petition 国产视频� all of those things add up and it allows for our collective power to push for change.国产视频�

Michael Gibbons, rights and education campaigner

Michael is a senior advisor on campaigning and an activist with experience going back to the 1960s.

He聽talks about the problems of children having to travel to schools far away 国产视频� both in the US after neighbourhood school closures and in developing countries.

Civic activism is important to challenge this, says Michael.

国产视频淭his where youth leadership can come in, where we can cultivate new leaders who are willing to organise in their communities.国产视频�

He believes young people should be encouraged to run for public office or become researchers and analysts who can help us to understand the issues.

Michael Silberman, founder of Mobilisation Lab

Michael worked for Greenpeace before leading the formation of Mobilisation Lab, which was born inside the environmental organisation and is now becoming an independent initiative.

He says that, thanks to technology, everyone now has the power to mobilise people.

Michael says: 国产视频淥ne of the largest women国产视频檚 marches was started by someone posting on Facebook 国产视频� saying after the Trump election we should get into the streets and demonstrate our support for equal rights and civil rights.国产视频�

MobLab now shares its ideas and resources with other campaigners and has toolkits on its website.

Asked for a tip for young campaigners, Michael says:聽国产视频淪pend time listening. That could be throwing something up on Facebook and see how people react. Or going out into the streets doing a sensing exercise. Too often we launch campaigns with this idea that we know what is best.国产视频�

• Listen to previous episodes of Better Angels