From Rockstars to Journalists, Change.org Indonesia Reaches Almost 50,000 Members in 3 Months

Change.org Indonesia started its operations at the beginning of June 2012. This Indonesian version of the global social activism website is still in beta-test mode. But in its first three months it has already reached 49,626 members with hundreds of online petitions already posted, touting causes against big corporations and government policies. Globally, Change.org has 15 million members.

Change.org Indonesia’s popularity increases with the help of its famous members. The biggest achievement came from Indonesian rockstar, Coki from the band Netral. His petition to stop a traveling dolphin circus has reached 89,963 signatures. Coki has his own popularity on Twitter with 13,301 followers. Perhaps this also helped him to boost the number of signatures.

There’s also a controversial recent petition put forward by site member Goenawan Mohamad, who is a famous journalist in Indonesia. He asked the local government in Malang, East Java, to build a monument to humanitarian activist, Munir who fought during the New Regime of dictator Soeharto.

Local concerns become national news

Online petitions can spread easily with the help of social media. Another popular cause is for protection of the Tripa swamp in Sumatra from corporations who burn the land – and thanks to the web, it’s not just a local concern in Aceh province anymore. Today that petition and the associated outcry reaches the public and national media, helping push the petition to almost 9,000 signatures. One of them is the famous rock singer, Melanie Subono. With these numbers of supporters, the communication director of Change.org Indonesia, Arief Aziz, will push the Aceh governor Zaini to stop the Tripa deforestation.

The people who manage social activism at Change.org Indonesia are not a newcomers to offline activism. Campaign director Usman Hamid is a human rights expert and the former director of the National Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras). Arief Aziz is not only the communication director but also the individual who co-founded TEDxJakarta. We chatted with Arief about Change.org Indonesia as a social venture, and how to balance activism with profit.

When did you start the beta test, and when was the official date of the Indonesian site launch?

Arief: The Indonesian version of the website was beta-tested two weeks after we were operational here, and that lasted for another two weeks. So far, we haven’t done a national launch. We wanted to collect relevant, inspiring success stories to be incorporated in the launch. We want the successes of the petitions to speak for themselves. With almost 50,000 members in only three months), hundreds of petitions, and numerous victories, I think we shall have that launch soon.

Is there development for mobile apps?

Arief: We are working on an API that will ultimately allow mobile apps to be developed. However, the website has been customized to be mobile friendly. Many users have signed [petitions] from their mobile devices.

How does Change.org get its revenue from social activism?

Arief: We provide service to non-profit organizations through sponsored petitions. So for example, if someone signs a petition on an environmental issue, after they sign it there will be a pop-up of another petition, sponsored by that environmental non-profit organization.

How big of an impact have these online petitions had on decision makers?