This two-hour workshop will serve as a space to discuss internet technologies and new media, and their potential to enhance and strengthen our individual voices and collective coalition-building on health.

In the United States and around the world, health is the most private and most vulnerable of states. At the same time, it is the condition that countries have the least accountability to their people for. Its advocates are many, strong in their unique ways, and very effective. However, across geographic boundaries, people and organizations are often not able to effectively share their successes, debate, or strategize together.

In the past few years, internet technologies have brought to life new tools for networking, discussion, debate, and serious organizing. Blogging, podcasts, video blogging, social networking, have all been used to empower individuals and communities in very creative ways. As a result, cynics have become optimists. Average Joes have decided to run for local office. And connected communities, passionate about various issues, have exponentially improved their ability to organize and empower.

There is not just a need, but an urgency to building solutions and giving people increased voice in regards to health issues both in the United States and internationally. At the World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya (January 2007), several common themes were observed regarding health in its broad sense, including lack of access to health services, lack of accountability of governments to the people, the move towards privatization of health services, workforce issues, and the lack of peoples' stories and voices. These themes were common among monetarily wealthy and poor countries alike. There was also a desire for movements in the global north that are working on health issues to build solidarity with movements in the south that are working on similar issues, in an attempt to strengthen both and create increased power through solidarity.

These same themes are palpable in the United States, especially in regards to health access and other health justice issues. There are wonderful groups working to improve visibility of health related issues in creative ways, and some of them are present at the United States Social Forum.

This workshop is intended as a space to discuss the current uses of and potential of online technologies in health justice organizing. In the first hour, an introduction to how blogging, vlogging, and storytelling in various ways online have been successful in various movements. In regards to the United States, a synopsis of health access struggles will be presented. A short history on health justice organizing in the United States and internet technologies to date will be presented. In the second hour, 'Cure This' -- an online tool for health justice discussions, creative actions, and networking without geographic boundaries will be presented, followed by a brainstorming session on how participants can utilize (and are utilizing) various tools for organizing around health.

[We wish to have this session on Saturday, as this session fits with the day's theme of strategizing the achieving of another world. We anticipate an audience of less than or equal to 50 people, and would anticipate needing chairs -- either in a circle or rows. We would ideally like to use a laptop computer and an LCD projector to share internet technologies but can do without.]