For an upcoming workshop at Global Kids, I've been doing some investigation into the links between conflict resolution and breaking / b-boying. The evidence that I've seen is very thin and unsubstantiated at this point, largely based on a few period dancer's recollections and assertions. Here's some theories: B-boy Trac-2 in an NPR interview maintained…
Category: Civil Society
70 Meditators Take Over Front Windows of ABC Home & Carpet (pics)
I stopped by briefly to check in my buddy Rafi and his fellow meditators as they entered the 17th hour of their 24 hour meditation marathon in the windows of ABC Home on Broadway and 19th. Entitled "Sit Down to Rise Up," the sit-in was organized to raise awareness of their group the Interdependence Project,…
24 Hour Meditate-a-thon begins tonight at ABC Home!
My buddy Rafi sends out word that his organization the Interdependence Project is sponsoring a "meditation marathon" for 24 hours starting tonight till tomorrow, to raise funds for their innovative approach to activism. Rafi and three other leaders of the Interdependence Project will be sitting in the front windows of ABC Home on Broadway and…
Reframing social media for non-early adopters
Yesterday I had the pleasure of helping facilitate an all-day training on social media for educators and nonprofits at the Global Kids offices, as part of our regular professional development services. It's always fun to talk with an eager and open group of folks about social media, particularly if they have no particular background in…
“Sit Down to Rise Up”: Support the Interdependence Project!
My buddy Rafi sends out word that his organization the Interdependence Project is sponsoring a "meditation marathon" for 24 hours on November 6-7 to raise funds for their innovative approach to activism: I’m asking anyone reading to sponsor me as I meditate for a full twenty four hours as part of the Fall fundraiser. I’ll…
Need career guidance and support? A life coach can help.
Jennifer Palgon was until recently my life coach during a pivotal period of my transition from program associate to an assistant director position at Global Kids. Life coaching has many varieties, but generally is a personal, directed kind of professional support that rides the line between career guidance and therapy. If you are looking for…
Global Kids Professional Development: Learn how to engage youth on global issues using virtual worlds, games and machinima
You might not know, but my organization Global Kids not only does some of the most innovative virtual world, serious gaming, and digital filmmaking youth programs out there, but we also help other educators adopt our methods for their kids. Global Kids offers a range of professional services and professional development including standards-based training for…
Announcing Betterverse.org: Covering the intersection of the public sector and the metaverse
It has been a long time coming, but I have finally decided to launch the new website Betterverse.org, dedicated to chronicling the burgeoning nonprofit and public good sector in the virtual world. I have been involved in various nonprofit experiments in the virtual world since 2006, and have been astounded by the incredible diversity, creativity…
Amnesty International’s Josh Rubenstein speaking in Second Life on Thursday
This Thursday, July 23, the Second Life talk show "Virtually Speaking" will be doing an entire show on the work of Amnesty International. Starting with at 3:45pm PST, the show will feature interviews with millay Freschi, Virtual Worlds Coordinator for Amnesty International, and Josh Rubenstein, NE Regional Director of Amnesty International. About Josh: As the…
I Dig Zambia Wrap-up: teaching about Africa and science using virtual worlds
Last Friday was the conclusion of the “I Dig Zambia” virtual summer camp, co-organized by the Field Museum and Global Kids. I Dig Zambia was a two-week camp that brought together 19 teens from Chicago and New York to learn about paleontology, biology, and Zambian culture and politics in the virtual world of Teen Second…