Local Success Story: Global Agents for Change
Friday, July 25th, 2008
Posted by Dario Meli
* This blog post is part of Invoke’s participation in the 2008 Vancouver Blogathon for Charity
Earlier this year, while hanging out with the CTO of Kiva.org, I was introduced to Shawn Smith who runs Global Agents for Change. At first I wasn’t drawn to what they were doing because it sounded a bit odd: ride bicycles from Vancouver to Tiajuana in an effort to raise awareness and money.
Once we got to talking, I realized that this is actually something much more than a bike ride. It is a massively empowering organization, and it also has a dynamic, driven leader in Shawn.
Overview:
* Global Agents organize innovative and sustainable projects such as their Riding to Break the Cycle bicycle tours, university based Microcredit Challenge, and The Catalyst – a youth run magazine on social change
* They provide funding and mentorship for young social entrepreneurs (ages 12-18) with projects capable of meaningful impact, and work with teachers and schools to speak with young people about the power of youth to shape their world
* They are building the world’s largest youth run microcredit fund, supporting hundreds of developing world entrepreneurs in their struggle to escape poverty and tangibly connecting young people to global issues
In my opinion, one of the most import things GlobalAFC does is empower youth to understand they they CAN make a difference. Little things add up but don’t be afraid to go big too! I saw this first hand at their second annual gala which Invoke helped to sponsor. Agents from all over approached the mic and told what they were doing to make a difference and some of the stories were mind-blowing. From that moment we knew this was a serious organization doing exactly what they said they would and we wanted to be a part of it.
Word on the street is there will be a 3 or 4 week bike tour in Europe next year. Time for us all to start training!
For more information check out the Global Agents for Change website.
July 26th, 2008 at 1:52 am
It’s key to use social media for change, but how many people actually really want to do that? Very few. Kudos to you Dario for highlighting this issue and for highlighting Global Agents for Change.