Taking Action

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."
• Kiva "Empower people around the world with a $25 loan."
• UNICEF's Voices of Youth "Learn more by reading articles in one of our focus topics. Check out our Look at section for weekly changing hot topics."
• Green America "Being a responsible shopper means being informed about the social and environmental impact of the companies you shop with ... and taking action to demand change from some of the worst corporate actors."
• 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."
• 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) "iEARN is a non-profit organization made up of over 30,000 schools and youth organizations in more than 130 countries. iEARN empowers teachers and young people to work together online using the Internet and other new communications technologies."
• 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.”
• Pay it Forward Day “For this year’s international Pay it Forward Day (PIFD) we are aiming to inspire over 3 million acts of kindness around the world. Imagine the difference that would make!”
• The (En)Rich List “Those listed in our ‘Top 100’ and ‘Honourable Mentions’ … have opened up new avenues for engagement with important matters by inviting us to question what is, challenging us to imagine what may be and suggesting practical ways for how we might get there.”

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) "is a movement for global goodness. We believe if each of us take small positive steps, together we can make some big changes."
• Good Return "We empower individuals, families and communities to build their own capacity, helping to build independence and release human potential."
• Stir (World Vision youth website) "STIR is the place to get informed, get inspired, and reach out to others just like you within the World Vision community!"
• 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.”
• 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.”
• Oaktree Foundation “You might sign petitions, use organic shampoo or wear little silicone wristbands. But we think you can do more. Generate is a structured program that encourages you to think and act big. We’ll teach you how to lead in your community and give you the tools you need to make more than just small changes in the fight to end global poverty.”
• 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."