The Progressives' Handbook

Numerous groups are focused on fighting global poverty and genocide. There's the Global AIDS Alliance (www.globalaidsalliance.org), which works to lessen the impact of AIDS on developing countries and to increase awareness of the global AIDS crisis. There's the Jubilee USA network of over 60 organizations, ranging from religious communities to trade campaigners, (www.jubileeusa.org) focused on definitive debt cancellation. There's ONE (www.one.org), which strives for ''debt cancellation, trade reform and anti-corruption measures in a comprehensive package to help Africa and the poorest nations beat AIDS and extreme poverty.'' And there's NetAid, (www.netaid.org), aiming to ''educate young people about global poverty and international development, and provide opportunities for them to take concrete actions that make a difference in the lives of the world's poor.'' This is but a sampling of the many groups out there.

Africa Action (www.africaaction.org) takes a three-pronged approach, with campaigns to Stop Genocide in Darfur, End HIV/AIDS in Africa, and Cancel Africa's Debt. Check out the terrific Action Center, and the regularly updated fact sheets, flyers and other resources. The Activist Toolkit is also not to be missed, offering everything from ready-made power point presentations to advocacy tools such as downloadable media training mp3 files.

If your focus is on Darfur specifically, the Save Darfur Coalition (www.savedarfur.org) has a comprehensive site offering background into the conflict, as well as the chance to lobby elected officials and foreign governments. Check out the Resources and Samples section with everything from video and photo essays, to a proclamation your community council can use in ''condemning the atrocities in Darfur and calling upon the US and UN to take further effective actions.'' The site offers a mailing list, activist possibilities for students and communities of faith, as well as PowerPoint presentations and other materials for ''Darfur ambassadors'' to use in educating their communities.

The Genocide Intervention Network (www.genocideintervention.net) also has a terrific site filled with opportunities for advocacy and education. You can download multimedia presentations and even a ready-made curriculum on averting genocide in Sudan, learn about pending legislation and explore divestment possibilities. Sign up for the Action Alerts.

A related project of the Genocide Intervention Network is Darfur Scorecards (www.darfurscores.org). At the site you can read about current legislation, send an e-card and even find out how your Congress Member measures up in the fight to stop the genocide in Darfur.