Social-networking sites have a bad reputation as places where people get together for no reason other than to collect friends and update their profiles obsessively, using terrible background images and embedded videos. The just-launched Just Cause is out to change that perception. The service is dedicated to signing up and connecting people around the world who want to make a difference on important social issues, such as protecting the environment, improving education both at home and abroad, and extending access to affordable health care.
If you consider yourself environmentally conscious or socially active, Just Cause might be the social network for you. The service is built on the idea that individuals and groups could change the world if they could easily connect with one another and stay up to date on campaigns and initiatives. Granted, almost every non-profit organization or social action group has its own "action network" that will send you countless e-mails every time there's a hot issue, but Just Cause wants to provide a single place where you can meet other people interested in the same social issues that you are, and organizations that you can get involved with.
Just Cause partners with a number of non-profit organizations to provide information and access on events, campaigns, and information about social issues from health care to arts education. Organizations with global reach, such as the Conservation Alliance, are side by side with local groups such as the Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra.
Signing up for an account at Just Cause is free, and once you've signed up, there's plenty to get involved with. You'll find six major interest areas: the arts, civic action, education, the environment, health and health care, and international issues. The site hosts blogs written by site editors and members, and articles from major news sources on topics of interest. You can find events hosted by one of the partnering organizations to sign up for, volunteer opportunities, and online campaigns to take part in, and then manage them all from your "My Just Cause" page.
The usual elements of social networking are part of Just Cause as well. You can connect with other Just Cause members, meet people through campaigns and subscribe to their blogs, add them to your friends list, and organize new groups and events with them.
The Just Cause social network is part of a broader effort to foster awareness of important social issues and get more people involved. The service has plans for a print magazine and additional partnerships with non-profit organizations, consumer advocacy groups, and corporate watchdog groups. The eventual goal is to create a more connected, educated, and socially active community, and so far it looks like it has a lot to offer.
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