Youth Venture "steels" ArcelorMittal Support

Originally posted on Ashoka.org blog on 2/16/2012

A new partnership between the business and social worlds is set to make (positive) waves in the youth entrepreneurship movement.

ArcelorMittal, the world's leading steel and mining company with a presence in more than 60 countries, has joined forces with Ashoka to support a groundswell of interest in the needs of tomorrow’s most innovative young leaders.

Felicidad Cristobal, the ArcelorMittal Foundation’s managing director, and Ashoka’s Bill Drayton signed a partnership to back Ashoka’s Youth Venture initiative in Canada, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States.

For half a decade, the ArcelorMittal Foundation has supported social projects and programs that maximize the potential of communities around the world, particularly in education, health, and economic development.

“We started our collaboration with Ashoka in Argentina in 2007 and decided to extend this partnership due to its great success,” Cristobal said.

Youth Venture, Ashoka’s program creating and supporting a global movement of young changemakers, will provide participants with financing support and resources to scale-up their initiatives, while also building fundamental leadership skills such as emotional intelligence and empathy.

“Bill Drayton says that ‘everyone is capable of changing the world’ and we fully agree with this idea,” Cristobal said. “We are extremely glad to collaborate in promoting the development of young talent. It is also important to underline that this program will give ArcelorMittal employees the chance to be involved in a Foundation project, sharing their expertise with youngsters who dream of a better world.”

Calling all young heroes!

Each year, the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes recognizes 25 outstanding young people for their contribution to people or the environment. Founded on the premise that "young people need real, heroic role models who have made a meaningful difference in the world," the Barron Prize makes young heroes' stories accessible to the world.


The twenty-five winners receive $2,500 for their project or for higher education, a hero's study guide, documentary, and other print materials on leadership and social change, plus access to a young heroes network and media opportunities!

Adults, nominate a young person (between the ages of 8 and 18) by by April 30, 2012!


Meet other Youth Venturers who have won the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes in the past!


2011

Rujul - A 501c3 non-profit, Drinking Water for India is run by a group of students seeking to bring safe, clean drinking water to villagers in India by installing tube wells in rural communities.

Jonny - Jonny invented GreenShields, polycarbonate shields that attach to the front of school buses, making them more aerodynamic and more fuel efficient.   


2010


Chloe - The student-run high school club Climate Action Club helps residents fight global warming in Maine and influenced the state to launch a state-wide reusable bag campaign.


2009


Sejal - Sejal founded Girls Helping Girls, a non-profit organization that trains girls around the world to become problem solvers in their communities. 

Becca - At the age of 10, Becca sought to share her passion for science with other girls and founded AstroTots Space Camp for Little Dippers, a free science camp for disadvantaged girls that is offered in cities across the U.S. and in several foreign countries.





 Read about winners from 2001-2009.

 

Rack up some cash for a J-Serve project!

In an effort to proliferate the impact of community projects in conjunction with International Day of Jewish Youth Service, J-Serve is providing a limited number of micro-grants of up to $500 for the April 22nd event. J-Serve is looking for youth-led projects that are both innovative and creative and unite individuals outside the Jewish community in an effort to change their community and the world.

Those interested in applying must complete a cover letter, project proposal, and project budget to Rae Krucoff. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and grants will be awarded until funds run out. For more information on how to apply, click here.

Spread the love!

Happy Valentine's Day from...me!

 "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." - Mother Theresa

Valentine's Day tends to get just a little cheesy. But we couldn't be more inspired by these wise words. What if everyone you faced today leaves just a little bit happier? That's a lot of love! We dare you to take on the challenge: set out to make each person today feel special, important, worthy, and happy.

Looking for some do-gooder gifts? Check out Huffington Post's line up of gifts that give back to people and the planet.

Happy Valentine's Day, Changemakers!

A Disruptive Exchange

 
On February 10-11, Arizona State University hosted the second annual Ashoka U Exchange: Disruptive Innovation in Higher Education. The two-day global social entrepreneurship conference brought together over 500 participants representing many of the world’s leading institutions. True to its title, the gathering sought to unite young innovators with representatives from higher education in an effort to propel the transformation of higher education into one where college graduates are job makers rather than  just job takers.

Attendees participated in various hands-on workshops that served to stimulate and demonstrate the best practices for transforming colleges and universities into “hubs of social innovation” both in and out of the classroom. Other workshops, such as Youth Venture’s Idea Creation and Iteration Workshop, sought to flex the creativity of its participants into identifying and creating innovative solutions for current social challenges.

TedxAshokaU allowed hundreds of individuals to engage in the sold-out event by featuring the speeches of notable speakers who presented on topics dealing with this year’s theme, “Disruptive Innovation in Higher Education”. Amongst the 2012 speakers were Barbara Bush, President and Founder of Global Health Corps; Greg Van Kirk, Co-Founder of The New Development Solutions Group; and Dale Stevens, who at twenty years old is redefining higher learning with UnCollege, a social movement that empowers students to create their own education.

Those who missed out on the event can revive their entrepreneurship spirit by watching Sessions 1 and Session 2 online.

A gap year for a cause

   
Apply now to join the next class of Global Citizen Year Fellows! Global Citizen Year is looking for high school seniors with potential, passion, and global interest to apply to be a 2012-2013 Fellow. The deadline for Regular Decision is March 7th, 2012.

The Fellowship gives students the opportunity to live and work in the developing world on a bridge (or “gap”) year before college. As a Fellow, you will spend a year gaining global skills and perspectives through structured learning, and apprenticeship, and homestay, helping you build a foundation for your college experience. With the support of our team and your host community, you will learn a new language, join a network of global entrepreneurs, and develop the empathy and skills needed to be a leader for the issues and places you care about. 

Global Citizen Year recruits high school seniors from across the United States, and will work with each family to find ways to make the experience financially accessible. To learn more and apply for our March 7^th deadline, visit globalcitizenyear.org/apply! 

Scoop up some cash from Ben and Jerry's!

 

Ben & Jerry’s is on the hunt for some bright sparks in the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden & the Netherlands, who are creating cool new models for sustainable business which will help make a difference in communities.

If you’re between 18 and 34 years old with big ideas for change don't miss out on this chance to join the Ben & Jerry's core! The five best entries will each scoop a prize of € 10,000 and they’ll also get six months mentoring from Ashoka.

Proposals will be assessed in London on the 22nd-23rd of May followed by a training day on the 21st July. Then, it's off to Uganda (August 12-21) for 10 days of social business knowledge sharing and local development projects co-run by development gurus VSO.

It gets even sweeter... Ben & Jerry's will promote your name on a new flavour, to help spread word of your spark of genius!

Enter the competition and help lead the way in the sustainable business world.

Apply to the YouthAction Net Global Fellowship Program!

YouthAction Net, an organization looking to strengthen, support, and celebrate young changemakers that are out creating positive changes in their communities, is now accepting applications for their Global Fellowship program. Each year, YouthAction Net selects 20 exceptional young entrepreneurs who will work with YouthAction Net for a year and benefit from strengthening their leadership skills and building key relationships with strong supporters. Fellows will attend an all-expenses paid retreat in Turkey during the second week of October 2012.

In order to apply, applicants must be between the ages of 18-29, be the founders of existing projects or organization, and be proficient in English. Applications are due March 12, 2012. If you are interested in applying, click here.

Radicalizing children... for tolerance

Superheroes are known to scale building walls, fly through the air, and rescue civilians in distress. Have you met any who tear down cultural barriers and build communities of acceptance? I'm guessing you haven't, so let me have the pleasure of introducing you to The 99.

Clinical psychologist turned comic creator, Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, saw the power in children to reverse cultural stereotypes and intolerance. And so, he decided to put cultural education into one of the most cherished youth hobbies -- comics.  He created The 99, a group of superheroes based on Islamic archetype that fights for the hearts and minds of children who have been taught to use their religion for hate.

"My mission was simple," said Al-Mutawa in his 2011 Ted Global Talk "to create positive role models based on values that all of humanity shares, and in so doing, bridge the gap between East and West."

Sadly, the Islamic cast did not debut without great criticism. Parties in the United States accused the stories of "radicalizing children," and it took much longer for the series to gain publication and acceptance in the U.S. However, just like his heroes, Naif overcame prejudice and finally created a comic cross-over where all superheroes like Batman, Wonder Woman, and The 99 stand cape to shoulder, saving the world blind to religion and culture.

The 99 is now an animated series and film showing in many countries around the world, and President Obama has endorsed the comics as "perhaps the most innovative response [to interfaith dialogue]."

For more inspiration, check out Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa's TED Talk!

A grant that could make your dreams come true

This post was written by YV intern Stephanie Arzate

Disney is looking to make your dreams come true by funding the projects of young change makers that are out there making a difference in their communities. The Disney Friends for Change grant gives youth between the ages of 5-18 a chance to receive a $1,000 grant to help make a positive impact in the lives of others.

If you think you could be the right fit, apply here. But hurry – the deadline is February 29, 2012.