I have heard rumors that some educators have been invited to be part of the Metaplace beta testers group for this new virtual world environment created by Raph Koster. According to one of those rumored educator beta-testers, Metaplace is "one of the most powerful, user-friendly web-based / flash-driven virtual platforms out there." But of course,…
Category: United Nations
UN Foundation: Win a free “bednet observation trip” to Africa
The UN Foundation just sent me this interesting notice about a contest they are running with MTV called “Your Turn to Get Exiled.” Apparently this is associated with some MTV reality show called "Exiled." All that matters is that if you win you get to go on a "net observation trip" to somewhere in Africa…
Global Kids gets a makeover
Here’s some quick pictures of some of the neat interior design stuff going on at Global Kids right now! Such a cool place to work. Above is the text from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, that now adorns the wall leading to our kitchen. And here’s the doors to our men’s…
Hello Kitty Online sponsoring in-game charity event for UNICEF
The cutest MMORPG ever Hello Kitty Online is holding a charity event called "Food for Friends" from November 3-6: Calling all guilds! Hello Kitty Online is hosting an in-game charity contest called “Food for Friends”. For this event, guild mates will have to cooperate and gather as much crafted food items as they can in…
Human Rights Festival Coming to Second Life December 10
Yesterday I went to the organizer’s meeting for an upcoming Human Rights Festival happening in Second Life this December 10, the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They have some big ideas for holding an all-day, multi-sim series of events, from concerts, poetry readings, panel discussions and fundraisers. Here’s the announcement: As…
How NOT to integrate global issues and hip-hop: Ban Ki Moon drops a rhyme
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon "raps" about the role of private donors and foundations in helping the UN do its work. Ouch. I’m embarassed for the entire UN system. Someone really needed to advice Ban Ki Moon to not try and rap. Where were his advisers getting his back? And there are lots more…
“Stuff I’m Into” as organizational chart
I was playing around with the bubbl.us’s cool web chart creation tool and decided to map all the stuff I was "into." No wonder I’m so scattered at times. It’s a wonder that I can plan my day at all. Click on the image for a larger version.
Why I’m voting Obama (a somewhat random list)
I should begin by saying that I have a good measure of respect for both presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama. I think they are both much better leaders of our nation than the current president. That said, I am voting Obama come November 4th. Here’s a somewhat random list of the reasons why:…
State Department hosting Second Life event on education in virtual worlds this Thursday
This Thursday, October 9, I am honored to be participating in a panel discussion on "Education without Borders" sponsored by the United States Department of State. The panel will address how virtual worlds can be used to reach out to people "conquering issues of physical distance, nationality, and culture." The panelists for this event include:…
$2000 prize for best multimedia piece on a global issue
My friends at Citizens for Global Solutions tell me that they are launching another cool multimedia contest for the best artsy piece on a global issue. Submissions can be flash animation, spoken word,or digital video, so virtually any kind of activist / artist can submit something: It’s that time again! Calling all aspiring flash animation…