Solana Larsen is co-managing editor of Global Voices Online. She was an editor with openDemocracy for 5 years and headed the New York office. She now sits on the board of openDemocracyUSA. Solana has contributes regularly to Danish national radio and other media, and has been a collaborator in numerous global internet activism projects. In 2006, she founded the Danish-Puerto Rican Society.

Recent articles

Today, I spoke to Desmond Tutu, Mary Robinson, and Graca Machel on the phone. I wish I could say that happened often! Global Voices Online was asked to invite only six bloggers to participate in a conference call to help spread the word about their new alliance of 13 world leaders, The Elders, and the campaign they are launching tomrorrow called Every Human has Rights. I joined from Berlin. The Elders were in Cape Town, taking a break from talking to UNICEF youth leaders on CNN.

Tomorrow is Human Rights Day and the beginning of the 60th anniversary for the UN Declaration of Human Rights. These world leaders of activists are marking it with an effort to "reclaim human rights for individuals". Inspired by the possibilities of new technology, they are reaching out to world citizens and asking them to tell their own stories of resistance and survival, and broadcast them through blogs and citizen video networks like The Hub.

The Elders have also launched an online petition in support of the Declaration of Human Rights. Desmond Tutu said he would like to see “a billion” signatures on it. I wonder how many have even read it? Considering the enormous mailing lists of organizations like Amnesty International, UNICEF, Action Aid, and other who are partnering in the effort, it shouldn’t take too long to reach the first million signatures. But 1 billion signatures? Has that even been done before?

How is the condition of women improved and thereby the world changed? Two intense weeks at the United Nations leave Solana Larsen with a few answers and more questions

The story of climate change is stark and complex, dramatic and detailed, and universally important. Why do writers have a hard time telling it? Solana Larsen invites you to listen in on the Ankelohe Conversations.

The World Social Forum pioneered new forms of global activism and democracy. Now it is being pressed to take the shape of an older politics, reports Solana Larsen in Caracas. 

On IranScan 1384 and other blogs, a virtual parliament of global Iranians has tracked Iran’s presidential election. Solana Larsen reports.