Filed under: Giving
by Susie Saxten
Can you go around the earth, using your own power??? UniversalGiving is delighted to announce a new partnership with www.runaroundtheearth.com.
Run Around the Earth challenges people to join the Ellipsoid Club (referencing the shape of the earth at the equator) by logging enough running, biking, walking, kayaking, etc. miles in their lifetime to circumnavigate the globe! The earth is 24,902 miles (40,067 kilometers) at the equator–a tall order, but Run Around the Earth provides an excellent support system.
Run Around the Earth is completely free to join, and the site offers everything from polls on users’ favorite running shoes, to forums with training tips, to pace calculators. A search box on the home page allows you to enter your zip code and find great hikes in your area. Logging miles on the site is also a great way to keep track of your exercise schedule.
Running around the earth… what a great way to promote green, healthy living. There is also something beautiful about the ability to circle the earth under one’s own power. It makes our world communities seem that much more interconnected and is a testament to an individual’s ability to make a big difference with a little time, patience and perseverance.
Now, www.runaroundtheearth.com is joining forces with UniversalGiving to support our quality, top-performing NGO partners. Donations will be made according to the collective number of miles logged on the site, so all you have to do is visit www.runaroundtheearth.com, log your miles and tell your friends and family to do the same!
Filed under: Inspiring Young People | Tags: Bay Area Events, Castilleja School, hope, inspiring young women, Pamela Hawley
by Anis Salvesen
When I see natural disasters and wars in the news, it makes me wonder for a moment if the planet is headed on a steady path to its ultimate destruction. Pretty bleak thoughts, I know.
That’s why I am so glad I attended the last day of Global Week at Castilleja School , an all-girls high school in Palo Alto a few weeks ago. Global Week is an annual event during which the entire school devotes an entire week to examining global issues through a series of workshops, films, speakers, class projects, readings, service opportunities and panel discussions.
This year’s Global Week opened with a live stream cast of two-time Pulitzer prize winning author and New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof talking to students about his most recent book Half the Sky. Another wonderful speaker was Dr. James Fearon, Professor of Political Science at Stanford University, who gave the girls an overview of causes of civil wars and engaged them in a question and answer session. One last speaker I will mention is BJ Fogg, Director of the Persuasive Technology Lab at Stanford, who talked about the psychology of social media and the ways in which technology and media can be used to influence people.
Can you imagine a week of such great speakers? I would almost be willing to go back to high school to experience it. But I’ll settle for my great experience attending the final day of Global Week.
Seeing all of those young women excited about changing the world, already making a positive impact on their community and beyond, was just such a rush. Sitting in the Castilleja auditorium, trying to suppress memories of my own socially awkward teen years, I was blown away by two of the students on the stage who were actually amongst the panelists. And the panelists, the majority Castilleja alumnae, were doing the most fascinating work you can imagine. Below is a list of the panelists, who as you can see are amazing, amazing women* making such a positive impact on the world.
- Transitional Justice in Central Africa – Myriam Khaldi, Lawyers Without Borders
- Counterterroism – Malin Bogue , British Parliament
- Coming of Age: Spirituality Through Work and Writing – Suruchi Mohan
- Philanthropy: Leading us to a World of Trust – Pamela Hawley , UniversalGiving
- Creating Peace through Art – Darlene Markovich, Missing Peace Project
- Bridging the “Gap”: The Youth Service Movement – Abby Falik, Global Citizen Year
- Caring for AIDS Orphans in South Africa – Tara Hopwood , Acres of Love
- Leadership and Empowerment for Girls in India – Saima Hasan , Roshni Academy
- Innovating Peace: peace.castilleja.org – Malaika Ramachandran and Sarah Felleman
- YES: Yoga, Empowerment and Leadership – Ben Henretig*
Did you notice our CEO Pamela Hawley’s name in the list of panelists above? She gave two great workshops the last day of Global Week. The questions the girls asked impressed me. One of the younger girls in one workshop, for example, noted that Pamela mentioned Brazil as the world’s largest producer of ethanol fuel and asked, “What are the environmental repercussions of using ethanol fuel versus more traditional energy sources like fuel oil and how will that play out politically?”
I’m actually paraphrasing the kid, but I’m telling you, these girls are sharp. Luckily for us, they are our future. They are engaged; they are energized. And they are going to change our world. Are you ready?
By Mariela Cedeño
If you happen to be researching the country of Colombia, you will most likely be led to headlines highlighting the country’s pervasive problems with drug trafficking, the ever present threat of left and right wing rebel groups, or at best your search will paint a picture of a country in perpetual political turmoil. But in a country of 44 million people, with abundant coastline, beautiful mountains, and a rich and diverse heritage, can that be all there is?
When we look for examples on how we can enrich our local communities we often look within or elaborately try to rebuild the wheel. In Bogota, Colombia, however, we find a great reminder of not only a community setting an example, but reminding us to look out…
The Ciclovia
On Sunday afternoons in the city of Bogota, Colombia, you will find up to 2 million residents taking over the streets on “The Ciclovia”. The Ciclovia is a 70 mile stretch of car free, people friendly, city streets on which Bogota’s inhabitants and visitors can enjoy walking, biking, rollerblading, and group exercise in a safe and peaceful environment. The biggest program of its kind in the world, Colombia’s Ciclovia not only encourages healthy living, but also creates a space for community building, family bonding, and general mingling. Furthermore, as a free event, it allows people from different economic, social, and cultural backgrounds to meet, exchange, and grow together. Following in the footsteps of Bogota, Colombia you can now find similar projects in Mexico, Chile, Venezuela, France, The United States, Australia, Ecuador, and Canada, and I’m sure many more countries to come.
For more information on The Ciclovia: http://www.streetfilms.org/ciclovia/
Lessons to Take Home
As part of a global community we need to take the time to look around at inspiring examples being set by our international neighbors. The Ciclovia, specifically, not only provides a great example of an event that can and is being replicated around the world, but also highlights the importance of building a sense of community, taking time to bond with our families, and enjoying healthy living. Remember, take a second to take in your surroundings!
By Eric Brandt
Starting in Spring 2010, Boston-based nonprofit MassChallenge is launching the largest-ever global startup competition. The idea behind the competition is that times of crisis are notoriously fertile sources of innovation. However, the current economic crisis has stifled entrepreneurship by eliminating funding sources and discouraging risk taking. Through the competition, MassChallenge hopes to provide a much-needed boost to startups around the world. The contest is open to anyone: any industry, any idea, anywhere on the planet. It’s intended for seed- and early-stage companies – the sort of startups that might otherwise fail to thrive in a recession. Entrants will receive training, feedback, PR and networking support through expert volunteers from MassChallenge’s partner organizations.
150 of the highest-potential entrants will receive intensive mentorship and other free resources, including office space and targeted introductions to customers and funding sources. In October 2010, a panel of judges will identify the very best startups to receive cash awards along with enhanced PR and access to top investors. This is a fantastic opportunity for smaller and lower-profile startups that might otherwise flounder in this tough economic climate. In additon, the egalitarian nature of the competition is refreshing. For example, even if it isn’t selected in the top 150, a small social change organization in East Africa or anywhere else in the developing world might benefit greatly from the free mentoring, training and PR provided by MassChallenge. Regardless of who wins, this is an excellent way to provide hundreds of startups with exposure and foster business growth in a challenging economic climate. I’ll be keeping my eye on this as it develops.
For more information and eligibility requirements, visit www.masschallenge.org
