Taking Action
"The starting point for a better world is the belief that it is possible."
Norman Cousins
"The time is always right to do what is right."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Be the change you want to see in the world."
Mahatma Ghandi
"Well, look around: the way we humans are behaving these days you'd think you can buy new planets by the dozen in the local supermarket. The deserts are spreading, the forests are shrinking, the climate is changing, the water's drying up, whole species vanish for good by the minute, pollution is literally everywhere, there's even a hole in the sky, and never before have so many people been so poor and so few people been so rich.
This is not what people want, but most people feel helpless to do anything about it... But it's just not true... Injustice can be stopped in its tracks. And you don't have to be Nelson Mandela to do it - everyone has something valuable to contribute."
Mutilmedia Links
- Watch The Story of Stuff, Teenage Affluenza, Stir Your World or The Girl Who Silenced the World for 5 Minutes.
- Watch In My Name or sign up to the campaign.
- Watch what others are doing to Be More.
- Free the Children: Craig Kielburger started his amazing journey to become an international child rights activist at the age of 12. (video available from TCGL)
- Ryan's Well: At the age of six Ryan Hreljac learned that without access to clean water people become ill and sometimes even die. He set out to raise $70 towards building a well in Africa. After reaching his goal, Ryan continued to work and organise. Ryan's Well Foundation continues Ryan's inspirational work. (video available from TCGL)
- World on Fire: made by Sarah McLachlan, this cost $15 to make, instead of the usual $150,000... (use the pause button to read some of the captions)
- 1 minute videos by teenagers on a range of issues here or here.
Why Take Action?
- Because you want to have a say in what your world looks like in 2040...
- Because you've suffered an injustice or seen one done to someone else – a friend, a neighbour or someone on TV...
- Because everyone on the planet is responsible for its future...
- Because you know that everyone counts...
Why Think Global, Act Local?
- Because global conflict, global warming and poverty affect all of us...
- Greenhouse gases released in Europe make the ozone hole over Australia bigger.
- Because what we do affects others around the world...
- The money you use to buy something in a shop in Tasmania can end up helping a local farmer, a poor village in Africa, a sweatshop owner or a multinational company – it's your choice.
- Because we can learn useful skills...
- By dealing with bullying at school you will learn new skills to prevent or resolve conflict peacefully.
- Because we need to get our own community in order...
- By noticing and caring for everyone in the schoolground we are making a fairer, more peaceful world.
What Action Is, and How To Do It
Make a personal commitment to live responsibly
- Reduce your 'environmental footprint' (conserve energy, become a vegetarian, reduce, reuse, recycle).
- Be caring and inclusive (get to know the neighbours, include those sometimes excluded).
- Choose a career that contributes to a better world (community service, advocacy, science & technology).
- Shop responsibly (buy less, buy fair, buy recycled).
Get informed and stay informed about issues
- What are the problems? (human rights, poverty, conflict, global warming)
- What are the causes of the problems?
- What are possible solutions?
- Who's doing what to help or hinder?
- Use the Internet – there is heaps of inspiration and information out there.
Take action - adopt a cause & work with others for change
- Remember that everyone does have skills to contribute (stamping envelopes is just as important as making a public speech).
- Join a group making a difference.
- Discuss issues with friends and family.
- Write letters to politicians, the newspaper, organisations.
- Join with others in peaceful actions that raise awareness.
- Volunteer time to a group that's making a difference.
- Work to improve your skills, so that you are more confident in contributing.
Links
International
You can take action with any of these global organisations.
- Taking IT Global "Join the largest online community of youth interested in global issues and creating positive change."
- Global Youth Action Network "Facilitates youth participation and intergenerational partnership in global decision-making; supports collaboration among diverse youth organizations; and provides tools, resources, and recognition for positive youth action."
- UNICEF's Voices of Youth "If you are ready to take action but don't know where to start, these pages will help. Find out what you can do right now!"
- Cyberschoolbus "To create an on-line global education community... educational action projects to show students that they have a role in finding solutions to global problems... give students a voice in global issues...”
- Facing the Future: People and the Planet "Make a world of difference with your class, club, or community group."
- Green America: Programs "Our programs empower you to make changes in your personal life and join together with others in economic action for a better world."
- I Buy Different "You have the power to make the earth a better place because of what you buy."
- Journey to Forever "Change is in the air, the tools are at hand. We hope Journey to Forever will give people -- anyone with a computer, and especially school kids -- the chance to prove for themselves that they can make a difference."
- iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) "is the world's largest non-profit global network that enables teachers and youth to use the Internet and other technologies to collaborate on projects that enhance learning and make a difference in the world."
- Global Gang "To end poverty, we need to challenge the causes of poverty, not just the symptoms. So join our campaigns - speak out, demand change.”
- Do Something “You have the power to make a difference. It is our aim to inspire, support and celebrate a generation of doers: people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action.”
Australian
If you're looking for a national drive, check out some of these.
- ActNow “You can take action on issues any way you like. The important thing is to have a go and let the ActNow community know what you did, how you did it and what you think the impact was.”
- 3things (Oxfam action website) "one platform that connects you to the issues you care about and to people creating a more equitable and sustainable world."
- Stir (World Vision youth website) "It’s our time to Stir things up – RIGHT NOW! ... Be a voice for the voiceless. Just Stir!"
- Australian Human Rights Commission "Promoting and protecting human rights is not something that you can leave for others to do – it's everyone's responsibility."
- Amnesty “We're a movement of ordinary people working together to achieve extraordinary change. Get active with us ... to help us continue to defend human rights around the world.”
- Be More “Caritas Australia ... is calling Australians to aspire not to have more but to BE MORE. The Be More Challenge is aimed at tackling global poverty and injustice by ‘doing’ justice.”
- ReconciliACTION Network “encourage young people to get informed, then take action ... to address the injustices faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples.”
- Ethical Consumer Guide “gives you the low-down on the environmental and social record of companies behind common brand names.”
- Ten things you can do “The scale of human consumption is clearly putting unsustainable pressure on natural systems. ... Doing nothing is no longer an option.”
- Global Education "What are the issues that matter most in today's world? Global issues concern us all and are at the heart of many valuable learning experiences."
Tasmanian Links
There are many groups and individuals in Tasmania working for a fairer world. Some of these are specifically for young people or work specifically with young people. Many are listed on other pages on this site.Ones that can put you in touch with other young people or services include:
- Linkzone provides links to youth services around Tasmania.
- Youth Network of Tasmania is the peak body for the non-government youth sector in Tasmania.
- The Tasmanian Centre for Global Learning educates for a fairer world. The Centre runs the ruMAD? (Are You Making A Difference?) Program