Every year, more than 100 leaders and thinkers in online engagement gather at a remote retreat center on Cortes Island in British Columbia to share strategies on how to use technology to improve the world. 

Called Web of Change, this years’ event included Knight grantees The UpTake, Free Press and SoChange as well as other activists, community organizers, web developers and non-profit leaders from groups such as Color of Change, presente.org, and New Organizing Institute.

From this group of digital leaders working on advocacy, organizing and movement building, we wanted to know how they try to engage more people in creating change and where they saw the future of engagement headed. This video shares some of their perspectives.

In short, while online petitions, social media and other digital tools figure prominently in the attendees’ work, the conversations also explored aspects of engagement that technology can’t easily solve.

Successful engagement, even in today’s digital landscape, requires deep relationships, good listening, attention to individual needs and a patience for the right type of outcomes.

Video and report by Charles Tsai. Photos: Christina M. Samala.