Unless you’re totally xenophobic, you should consider voting for the Europeans of the Year, organized by the European Voice magazine, which “casts a spotlight on 50 individuals who have most influenced the European legislative and political agenda during the preceding year”. (They have to be European, but you don’t.)

I took interest in this poll because one of the nominees, Florian Müller, is the founder of NoSoftwarePatents.com, which is a cause very important to me. In addition to recognizing his efforts, a win for Müller would also do much to promote the cause. Because the poll requires voting in all 10 different areas, I found the NoSoftwarePatents.com voting guide helpful.