On Mondays, http://www.global-changemakers.net turns into Speakers’        Corner: members of the network and community have their say on   their       work and the issues that concern them.

Racism: A Global Issue Desperate for Unity

By Andrew Hanna, Global Changemakers from the United States

Wherever the idea of racism originated, one thing is certain: if this concept is to be successfully challenged and overcome, the entire globe must unite against it. It is easy to only consider racism within the borders of our home nations; that is where the effects are actually seen with our own eyes, and thus seem the most tangible and changeable. However, racism is inherently a global issue; the factors intrinsic to racism include internationally relevant topics like migration, discrimination against minorities, and human rights. Since we as human beings have agreed that racism is a morally reprehensible human rights issue, it follows logically that we go beyond helping the thousands or millions in our respective nations toward reaching all 6 billion people that roam the globe, many of whom are largely unprotected from the effects of racism. Concrete efforts have been made to combat racism on an international level, but they have often been debilitated by leaders and organizations who, caught up in the tangle of politics, are unwilling to even discuss possible policy agreements regarding racism. In an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, confronting global racism openly and directly seems more realistic, and necessary, today than ever before.

Download and read Andrew’s complete blog here.

Are you a member of the http://www.global-changemakers.net  community? Do you have something to say?  Send your blog entries to me!        The best entries will be published on Mondays’ Speakers’    Corner.    (Blog   entries should be submitted as Word documents.    Please attach   any   pictures you have separately.)

On Mondays, http://www.global-changemakers.net turns into Speakers’        Corner: members of the network and community have their say on   their       work and the issues that concern them.

Racism: A Global Issue Desperate for Unity

By Andrew Hanna, Global Changemakers from the United States

Wherever the idea of racism originated, one thing is certain: if this concept is to be successfully challenged and overcome, the entire globe must unite against it. It is easy to only consider racism within the borders of our home nations; that is where the effects are actually seen with our own eyes, and thus seem the most tangible and changeable. However, racism is inherently a global issue; the factors intrinsic to racism include internationally relevant topics like migration, discrimination against minorities, and human rights. Since we as human beings have agreed that racism is a morally reprehensible human rights issue, it follows logically that we go beyond helping the thousands or millions in our respective nations toward reaching all 6 billion people that roam the globe, many of whom are largely unprotected from the effects of racism. Concrete efforts have been made to combat racism on an international level, but they have often been debilitated by leaders and organizations who, caught up in the tangle of politics, are unwilling to even discuss possible policy agreements regarding racism. In an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, confronting global racism openly and directly seems more realistic, and necessary, today than ever before.

Download and read Andrew’s complete blog here.

Are you a member of the http://www.global-changemakers.net  community? Do you have something to say?  Send your blog entries to me!        The best entries will be published on Mondays’ Speakers’    Corner.    (Blog   entries should be submitted as Word documents.    Please attach   any   pictures you have separately.)

This week we’re highlighting an opportunity by one of our partner organisations, the World Bank Institute’s Global Youth Anti-Corruption Network (GYAC).

GYAC is launching its open competition today. This is an opportunity for like minded organizations to apply to be part of the GYAC family. Please share this opportunity with organizations that you work with and other youth organizations that you know of that are working on anti-corruption issues.

GYAC Open Competition 2010-11
Application Form

Visit Voices Against Corruption online!

Also, Changemaker Qaisar (our tireless opportunity finder!) has sent us the following information:

Water is Life: international poster competition (deadline: 31 December)

Thanks, Qaisar - and to everone, happy holidays!

The Global Changemakers team is taking a well deserved break over the holidays - but we will be back in 2011, working on the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, the recently announced new website and many other things.

From everyone in Bern and London - Fran, Kath, Gaby, Anne, Louise and myself - we wish you a fantastic end to 2010! Keep making the change!

Next month, we’re excited to be launching a new version of the Global Changemakers website, with a heap of cool new features and a snazzy new design.

Earlier in the year, we asked what you wanted to get from the Global Changemakers site. We’ve spent the last few months turning your ideas into reality, working with an advisory group of Changemakers from around the world to ensure that the site we create really has all the features that Changemakers want.

We’re excited to say that we’re just about ready to show you the end results. The new site is all about you - giving you the potential to post blogs, announcements, opportunities, photos, things you need for your project and can offer others.

The site will go live just before our five representatives head to Davos for the World Economic Forum, and we will send all site members an e-mail letting you know when you can login to experience all the new features.

Looking forward to sharing the new site with you,

The Global Changemakers Team