We're Twittering Over Water in Jerusalem, You Can Too

Technology isn't just for geeks. For those of us lovers and users of the supremely contagious micro-blogging phenomenon known as Twitter, we know technology and social media tools are a great way to promote green issues, education and charity.

Now's your chance to Twitter for an amazing cause, charity:water. This year, on February 12, 2009 over 140 cities worldwide will be hosting an annual Twestival to raise much-needed money for charity:water. The organization intends to provide clean drinking water to villages across Africa. And despite our own drought issues in the Middle East, and lack of rain this year, the Middle East is tweeting and retweeting all about the cause to support water in Africa. We know about Doha, Beirut, and even a group in Bethlehem.

But I've been in touch with Jerusalem's Twestival, making the Twestival unique this year in that beyond money it's planning on raising, the Jerusalem group also plans to highlight Israel's contributions in cleantech, says Yannai, from the Jewish Climate Initiative:

"I wanted to tell you about Twestival '09- Jerusalem, a Twitter event raising money for charity:water, a water project in Africa. You can read some details below [and about Twestival 2009 in the TreeHugger archives], but as the event will be taking on a water/cleantech-in-Israel tone, we thought perhaps [you'd] like to write a piece about it . . . It looks like Jewish Climate Initiative will be involved, as well."

Twestival has already generated a lot of press already, and if you're interested in hosting one for charity in your city, there is still time.

Some more details about the Jerusalem event that could give you ideas for your own:
● The event will take place at the JVP Media Center the night of Thursday Feb 12 for $12
● The event will feature real-time broadcasts of various Twitter feeds integrating text, video and photos from the event and events across the globe projected on walls/screens
●They will be broadcasting and offering "Tweetorials" to attendees (especially the cleantech companies)
● Selected cleantech companies will have tables around the room as part of a "micro-expo"
● They will have additional (fun) activities around the room and outside as well as live music and a cash wine bar
● The activities will not be formal in that people can come and go as they wish as they circulate around the room.

The aims of Twestival in Jerusalem:
● To raise money for charity:water
● To give exposure to Israeli cleantech companies and take pride in
our country's role working towards a healthier planet and the
betterment of people world-over
● To meet Tweeple in our community face-to-face and have fun
● To educate how Twitter can help people, organizations and businesses

Want to support the cause? More about the charity:water
charity:water is a non-profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of the money raised goes to direct project costs, funding sustainable clean water solutions in areas of greatest need. They also work to raise awareness of the water crisis through events, fundraising exhibitions and other public awareness campaigns.

Jennifer Connelly in charity: water Public Service Announcement:

More about Twitter:
(TreeHugger Tips to Get You Started On Twitter)

Twitter is a free online networking and micro-blogging service that allows its members to exchange constant updates limited to 140 characters. It is very viral with over 6 million users and a growth of 850% in 2008, and about 20,000 1new users every day. There has been an explosion of third-party applications allowing people to "Tweet" links to video, photos, music, audio from cellphones and more.

Twitter is used for business, personal and educational purposes as well as, in this case to promote good. It is currently employed by major corporations all over the world, including CNN, Kodak, Pepsi, and General Motors.

The Israeli government used it during the recent war in Gaza, Israel to become the first government to hold a worldwide citizen's press conference to take questions from the public. It is a very good source for news and resources and has made headlines during many recent news events including Mumbai terrorist attacks, the US Presidential campaign, the recent plane crash in the Hudson and Operation Cast Lead.

(Follow me tweet @kloostermania or follow @treehugger_com, TreeHugger's Twitter feed if you don't have time for RSS or the site.)

::Twestival via ::Green Prophet via ::TreeHugger

More on water charities:
Courtney Nichols' Inconvenient Truth About Water
Why Muslims Should Waqf For Water
Lifesource for Water Justice Among Israelis and Palestinians

More on Twitter:
TreeHugger Tips to Get You Started On Twitter
Take Part In A Twestival charity:water
Using Twitter To Remote Control Your Home's Lights