For an upcoming Global Kids retreat, I’m helping organize a workshop on “Global Arts for Social Change” with some other trainers. As part of the session, we wanted to show our teens some examples of various forms of art related to activism and civic engagement. So I threw together this compilation reel of different forms…
Category: Civil Society
Free lifecoach sessions for social entrepreneurs and do-gooders!
My lovely friend Kim is embarking on a new career as a lifecoach, and she is offering three sessions per month for free for social entrepreneurs, i.e. professionals involved in some social good activity. I've been seeing a lifecoach for the past couple of months and have gotten a lot out of it personally and…
My address at UN General Assembly civil society hearings in 2005 (video)
Here's an oldie but a goodie that I dug up when thinking about some notable work highlights from the past. In 2005, I had the honor of speaking briefly at the first UN General Assembly hearings with civil society organizations (CSOs). This was a historic occasion, where the UN General Assembly for the first time…
Cali Lindy Hoppers unite for 24 Hour Cancer Dance-a-Thon
I love hearing about lindy hoppers using their skills to help a worthy cause. I got news that a 24 Hour Cancer Dance-a-thon, is happening from March 5-9 in Orange County, California: The Dance-a-thon is a 24 hour swing dance in Orange County, CA. Its mission is to raise funds for cancer research and treatment…
Indian nonprofit “Child Rights and You” in Second Life
While I was visiting the Tata Indicom sim in Second Life, I stopped by the virtual headquarters of CRY – Child Rights and You – just one sim over. CRY is "an inclusive, participatory, people's movement" that campaigns for "child rights for India's children" according to the automated text that greets you as you arrive….
Uganda teen addresses youth in Teen Second Life about HIV/AIDS in Africa
Yesterday, I organized a special fireside chat on the Teen Grid of Second Life focused on HIV/AIDS in Africa. The workshop began with Rafi leading a small group of teens in an exercise to have them think about the links between poverty and HIV/AIDS, and the role of Western governments in the fight against AIDS….
Understanding Islam through Virtual Worlds: the machinima, graphic novel and report!
As previously reported, on Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending the event "Understanding Islam through Virtual Worlds" at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. The gathering featured Rita King and Joshua Fouts discussing their project to research how Muslims have been using virtual worlds as a medium to express their faith, find…
Draxtor’s report on Human Rights in Second Life on PBS Frontline/World
My buddy Draxtor Despres filed his first story for PBS's "Frontline/World" show today, about human rights advocacy within Second Life. Drax focused his reporting on the Virtual Gitmo camp created by Nonny de la Peña and Peggy Weil. And he describes the somewhat mixed reception he got from other human rights activists in Paris when…
Speaking on Global Kids approach and nonprofit services today
I got an opportunity to speak about Global Kids's approach to youth development and the kinds of services we offer other institutions at "Nonprofit Week" on Orange Island in Second Life today. It was neat being among the 150 or so avatars who rezzed in for the talks today by my friends Coughran Mayo and…
Global Kids at Education Faire, Metanomics, Orange Island this week
Global Kids is all over the Second Life grid this coming week, with appearances at three high-profile events. Come by if you want to find out what we've been up to, our views on Teen / Main Grid integration, and how you can support youth development using virtual worlds. Here's the breakdown: Second Life Education…