Jeremy Heimans
Jeremy Heimans is a writer, entrepreneur and activist best known for co-founding Avaaz and GetUp, two of the world’s largest digital campaigning organizations. Heimans is also the co-author of the book ‘New Power’, a call to action to use digital technology to spur social movements and cause change.
Jeremy Heimans was born in 1979 in Sydney, Australia. During his childhood, he was a well-read student who was passionate about making a difference in the world. He went on to pursue an undergraduate degree in political science and sociology in 1998 at Macquarie University in Sydney. After completing his degree, Heimans held a variety of roles in social enterprise businesses, the United Nations and the World Economic Forum.
In 2007, Heimans co-founded Avaaz, an online activist network that uses online tools and campaigns to promote positive social change. The organization has been credited with inspiring movements for climate justice and global governance, amongst others. Avaaz also worked on campaigns to increase representation for women and LGBT+ communities. Heimans later went on to co-found GetUp, an online grassroots organization that promotes social causes with mass public mobilization.
Heimans’ work has been recognized worldwide for its potential to catalyze major social movements and create positive change. In 2012, his work was featured at the Aspen Ideas Festival as one of the world’s leading innovators and in 2015, he was named one of the most influential people in the world by the Financial Times.
In 2014, Heimans co-wrote the book ‘New Power’ with co-author Henry Timms. The book takes an in-depth look at the power of collective action and how digital technology is changing the way social movements are taking shape. It highlights the need to understand and leverage algorithms and digital trends to build impactful campaigns. According to Heimans, “The internet is more than just a force for connecting people—it’s also a tool for organizing.”
Heimans believes that anyone can use digital media as a tool for social change and has repeatedly advocated for the importance of harnessing the power of digital tools to drive systemic change. He has been an advocate for utilizing digital tools to combat climate change, promote civil rights, and protect democratic principles. Heimans also highlights the importance of recognizing and respecting the power of collective action as a driver of social change and has inspired numerous activists and citizens around the world to use digital media to drive meaningful social change.
In a world where digital technology can be leveraged to build powerful campaigns and advocate for causes, Jeremy Heimans is an inspirational figure who has used his skills and knowledge to drive real societal change. His work has made a remarkable impact on how we perceive and utilize digital media to drive social change, and his continued dedication to positive causes is a testament to the power of collective action.