Rothschild Fellows Program: Dialogue & Social Entrepreneurship

The Ariane de Rothschild Fellows Program: Dialogue & Social Entrepreneurship aims to develop a network of social entrepreneurs with an interest in fostering a culture of mutual respect and dialogue among Jewish and Muslim communities. In a multi-layered approach, the program blends three educational components: an innovative and action-driven social entrepreneurship program; training in cross-cultural dialogue and leadership; and exposure to state-of-the-art scholarship.

Participants need to demonstrate their interest in and commitment to sustainable civic engagement. An interest in building social enterprises and a willingness to engage both in authentic and effective dialogue will be the keys to successful participation in the program.

A social entrepreneur is a type of entrepreneur who relies on innovation to improve the world through market solutions. Social entrepreneurs use their skills and creativity to try and solve an urgent social problem, with the goal being to make a positive impact.

There will be no specific sector focus. These enterprises can be either revenue-generating or not for profit, but as much as possible we would like to attract social entrepreneurs striving for financial autonomy and with proven achievements.

Content
This program will be highly interactive and intensive. Prior to the program, the Fellows will complete a 360-degree assessment, which will provide valuable feedback toward understanding their role as an agent of change. Each Fellow will receive individual, private coaching to interpret the assessment results, and will then learn how to apply this information to achieve personal and professional goals.

Cambridge scholars will provide historical and cultural background to current affairs, with the support of dedicated course tutors. Significant resources will be devoted to classroom dialogue and project work. The program will also encompass extracurricular cultural activites in New York City.

Program details
This two-week program is conducted in English and is delivered at Columbia Business School in collaboration with Cambridge University's Center for History and Economics and Woolf Institute - Center for Muslim-Jewish Relations.

Acceptance to the program is by application only. Selected Fellows will be invited to the program in New York City in July 2009, inclusive of travel, lodging and some meals.

Benefits of the program
* Learn how to be a successful agent of change
* Understand the leadership role and its impact on others
* Use specific tools, frameworks and diagnostics to identify personal and organizational issues and challenges
* Gain knowledge in management, negotiations, accounting, finance, marketing, governance and other fields of business
* Become more skilled in building a successful social enterprise
* Learn to appreciate and apply cross-cultural dialogue
* Experience scholarship and debates across and within participants' respective communities
* Build a deep and far-reaching network

Eligibility
* Social entrepreneurs who have already created their organization and are engaged in the early stages of development (one to four years) and who are interested in fostering a culture of mutual respect and dialogue among Jewish and Muslim communities.
* Eligible participants must reside in the US, UK, and/or France, or operate their venture from these countries.
* In exceptional cases we will also consider individuals with an outstanding background in social activities even if they have not created a legal entity, per se.

APPLY HERE

Bringing One Laptop per Child to Colombia: TED in the Field

I love the way TED guys think. They surprise me by doing wonderful things. Here is an example of a new initiative by them: TED in the Field. This new series on TED.com offers updates from past speakers and updates from new speakers, products, and ideas. It is good to know how the TED speakers do the great things they talk about.

This time TED follows Nicholas Negroponte to Colombia as he delivers laptops inside territory once controlled by guerrillas. His partner? Colombia's Defense Department, who see One Laptop per Child as an investment in the region. (And you too can get involved.)

Check out the video:

AID-India Annual Conference, Dec 26-28, Bangalore

The Annual Conference of AID-India (http://aidindia.org) is being held in Bangalore from Friday December 26 to Sunday December 28, 2008. It will involve accomplished social activists, field workers and researchers, apart from volunteers from chapters around the
world.Topics as diverse as globalization, gender equality, climate change, free software, communalism/terrorism and agriculture will be
deliberated upon, under the guidance of eminent speakers.

The objective the conference is two fold: to share the outstanding work of many change agents to a wider audience and to better-equip the existing/potential change makers in taking on the challenges that lie on the path of just and sustainable development.

Venue:
Indian Social Institute (ISI) , 24, Benson Road, Benson Town, Bangalore 560046.
Phone: 080 - 23536189/23536364/23536960
.
Details and registration:
Visit http://conference.aidindia.org or call Guru 98452 94184 (Note that you need not register a-priory to attend the conference).

Lots of interesting topics and speakers. Check out the Schedule.

-
Thanks to Pulkit for forwarding this.

Grassroutes: Sponsored Road-Trip + Opportunity to Change the World

A unique fellowship program that combines the adrenaline rush of a road-trip across India with the ways to understand (first-hand) the problems that plague our nation.

http://grassroutes.in

Grassroutes Fellowship Program sponsors teams of adventurous, passionate young people in India on their road-trips to discover change-makers at the grassroots and understand first-hand the problems that plague our nation.

From their journeys, these social journalists will bring back stories of ideas, inspiration and change, that we believe will get the rest of us thinking of ways in which we can do our bit.

Check out the video to know more.

Atlas Corps Enters Finals of IdeaBlob Contest - Vote for us NOW

Atlas Corps is in the Finals of the IdeaBlob Contest. Thanks to all of you who voted!

We now need the last favor from you. Even if you voted before, Atlas Corps need you to vote this week to win $20,000 - http://tinyurl.com/58c5vz.



First-time voters are eligible to register and vote too, so recruit friends and family to help Atlas Corps rock the vote. The December showdown takes place from December 22 to December 31 at midnight.

If Atlas Corps has the most votes when the clock strikes 2009, we win $20,000!
http://tinyurl.com/58c5vz

For more information, check out this video!

CRY - Photography for Child Rights Initiative

Photography is one of those creative media that has often captured people's issues and taken them to a broader audience. Many photographers have used their skill and their interest to bring to light the issues of marginalized groups. For instance, the struggle of victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy has been imprinted on the minds of many due to the dedication and commitment of several photographers. This initiative hopes to infuse in photography enthusiasts / journalists / professional photographers, perspectives that enable the use of photography for child rights.

Why form a CRY Photographers' Collective?
* To create a pool of photography enthusiasts who will use photography for Child Rights
* To nurture and encourage initiatives by a cross section of people to campaign for Child Rights through the medium of photography
* To document Child Rights issues in any one area or on any one issue
* To create photo essays and photo documentaries to mobilize people for Child Rights

What will the CRY Photographers' Collective do?
* Participate in a workshop on Child Rights and Photography conducted by a Resource Person sourced by CRY
* Work with a collective of like-minded photography enthusiasts
* Document any one child rights issue along with the group
* Participate in online sharings of photographs and feedback
* Innovate ways to broadbase the initiative and work with each other to ensure this is a sustainable programme

What you, as a participant in the CRY Photographers' Collective may expect:
* Resource persons who are professional photographers, who will anchor and mentor the group
* At least one workshop on how one can use photography for Child Rights
* An online forum will be established to share photos, critiques, comments, issue updates and shooting experiences, which will facilitate communication among different groups formed by Resource Persons
* Selected photographs will be used in CRY communication material. If photo essays/ features emerge, plans for dissemination will be evolved by CRY to maximize impact

For more details and to download application form for participation, visit http://www.cry.org/general/PhotographyforChildRights.html

Give the Gift of Change

Ashoka lunched a new membership initiative today. Check it out.



Give the Gift of Change through an Ashoka Co-Venturer Membership and the recipient will enjoy 8 postcards and a year of Good Magazine. Membership starts at $35. For details, visit www.ashoka.org/membership

Where Would I Be?

Sometimes I wonder if its all worth while, if I’ll ever make it.
Sometimes I think that my dreams won’t ever come true.
With everyday that passes, I know there is another clue.

Sometimes things are right under my nose, And all I had to do is look.
Sometimes all I want is to save a rose, And then just go on with my life.

Sometimes I wonder why life takes such unexpected turns, Then I realize, this is my life. If I had not taken these trails, Where would I be?



A really beautiful message from the Pravs World team. Many times when I am alone, I feel the same. Away from my country and friends and family, with a dream to change the world, I have set out to carve my own path, and sometimes I wonder whether I am following the right trail. Anyways, check it out :)

"Gimme Shelter" | UNHCR

Today UNHCR launched the "Gimme Shelter" at a high profile event supported by Ben Affleck at the United Nations in New York.

Actor-director Ben Affleck and Sir Mick Jagger released the short film to highlight the plight of hundreds of thousands of people forced from their homes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and shows how UNHCR works on behalf of uprooted people around the world.

The fundraising goal of the `Gimme Shelter' campaign is to help raise US $23 million for the UN Refugee Agency - UNHCR in 2009 to help pay for clean water and emergency humanitarian assistance kits in the region. The video is set to the Rolling Stones' song, "Gimme Shelter," which Sir Mick Jagger donated for use by the campaign.





Please help them and get involved. You're just a click away!

YouTube
You can view and rate the films on You Tube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GYjZszsCDQ
YouTube is promoting the video on their featured videos page.

MySpace
Visit UNHCR's MySpace profile page - watch the film and post a
message: http://www.myspace.com/unhcr
MySpace is promoting the video on their Impact, celebrity and film sites.

Landing Page
Visit the new UNHCR Gimme Shelter landing page www.unhcrshelter.org
and write your message of support.

Facebook
Go to UNHCR's Facebook page and watch the video or donate your statues
to the campaign: http://www.facebook.com/pages/UNHCR/13204463437

UNHCR is asking Facebook users to change their status messages:
[Your name] is donating her / his status to UNHCR - watch Ben
Affleck's 'Gimme Shelter' film at http://www.unhcr.org

Join our Facebook cause
Join the Gimme Shelter cause:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/175802?m=9ba1f9c6

Donate
Please donate to the "Gimme Shelter" appeal. Visit
http://www.unhcr.org to make your donation.

Flickr
View the photos on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/unhcr/collections/72157608878259299/

Twitter
Keep up-to-date with information direct from the UNHCR staff officers
in the DRC: http://twitter.com/refugees

 

.

2009 Growing Up CEO - Call for Nominations!

The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is now accepting nominations and applications for the 2009 Growing Up CEO program, a program which celebrates the remarkable achievements of young men and women leading inner city companies across the country and around the world.

Each year, twenty-five US and five international CEOs, all under the age of 21, are chosen as winners of this unique award. As Growing Up CEOs, these young leaders receive an all expenses paid trip to Boston for the Inner City 100 Summit and join a community where they can network, share best practices, and develop new ideas about entrepreneurship.
If you know of an outstanding young CEO who deserves to be recognized, please click here. The deadline for US nominations is December 31, 2008 (International nominations- Dec. 1). Nominations will not be accepted after this date.

If you are an outstanding young CEO who wants to build your network and your company, please click here. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. All international applicants must have a valid passport at the time of application.

Deadlines:
January 31, 2009- US applicants
December 31, 2008- International applicants & US nominations

http://www.icic.org/site/c.fnJNKPNhFiG/b.3441497/k.907D/Growing_Up_CEO.htm

 

Want more information about scholarships, programs, and grants? Many more are listed on GenV.net. Check out the following links: Opportunities for Venturers and Grants and Scholarship Opportunities for Venturers.

Atlas Corps: Help us win $20,000

Ref: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCc5TNjcmIQ

With two minutes of your time you can help Atlas Corps win $20,000! Just Register and Vote Here -
http://ideablob.com/ideas/3995--Atlas-Service-Corps-good-idea

Check out "Davos Debates" on YouTube

Geneva, Switzerland, 15 December 2008 - The World Economic Forum has chosen to open the debates on the key issues facing our world today to the general public. YouTube users are invited to send in their solutions and suggestions for the key issues facing us today such as the state of the economy, the environment, US politics and business ethics. The four questions for public discussion are:

1) Are you confident that global growth will be restored in 2009?
2) Will the environment lose out to the economy in 2009?
3) Will the Obama administration improve the state of the world in 2009?
4) Should company executives have a code of ethics similar to doctors and lawyers?

The winning entry on YouTube gets the unique chance to attend the Annual Meeting in Davos.

Last date - 20th Jan 2009

Check out YouTube - thedavosquestion's Channel for more details

What the Atlas Corps Fellowship Can Do For You - 1

I remember when I was filling out my application form for the Atlas Corps, I had some expectations that I wished the fellowship could fulfill. In this blog post, I would like to share what Atlas Corps Fellowship did to me over last 3 months.

Personal Growth
My learning curve started the day I got the news about being selected for the fellowship. I remember my mother called up and suggested me to learn cooking and also told me a couple of recipes to try. 3 months into the fellowship, I can prepare more than 15-20 different types of recipes, and I already have developed a few fans for my food. At a recent Thanksgiving Pot-luck lunch in Youth Venture office, a lot of people liked the “Kheer” (rice pudding) that I prepared :).

Another learning is that I have started managing my time in a better way. There is so much to do and so less time that you got to be efficient. You have to wake up really early and go to office. After coming back from work, you got to finish your errands (laundry, cleaning, preparing food, etc). Within the same time, you also need to attend professional events and conferences, meet people, talk to your family and friends back home, catch up with your friends in new country, etc. Don't worry if you are very bad at managing time, even I was, but after being here, I have certainly improved.

Other than that there have been a lot of learning on individualistic level. I hope each of the Atlas fellow has learned something new and worthy by being a part of this fellowship. I will share more views about "professional growth" in my next post. Till then have a look at a my what all I can make at my new recipe blog - Quick Indian Recipes.

Photo: Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch at Youth Venture

Apply now for Clintong Global Initiative - Univ 2009

See a message from CGI Team.

We are excited to announce the launch of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) 2009 student application! President Clinton will host the second Annual Meeting of CGI U at the University of Texas at Austin from February 13 – 15, 2009.   Building upon the success of CGI U 2008 in New Orleans, this meeting will bring together even more young leaders, university presidents, and activists to address pressing global challenges in the areas of education, energy & climate change, global health, human rights & peace, and poverty alleviation.   If you are a college or university student, President Clinton wants you to join him and hundreds of students from around the world in Austin to make a difference. Apply now and tell your friends about this exciting opportunity! The deadline for early decision applications is November 7, 2008. The final deadline for applications is December 12, 2008. Attending CGI U is FREE, and travel assistance is available for those who qualify. To learn more about this process, log on to CGIU.org.  Commit to making a difference and APPLY TODAY.  We hope to see you in Austin! Sincerely, Keisha Senter Director, CGI U

Wood, Paper, Checkmark - Call for Entries!

For details or to enter CLICK HERE!

Tata Jagriti Yatra starts Dec 28 - Register Now

Tata Jagriti Yatra '08 (December 24th 2008 - January 11th, 2009) is an annual train journey that will take 350 of India's highly motivated youth (with some participation of international students) between the ages of 18-25 on a eighteen day national odyssey, introducing them to unsung heroes of India. The aim is to awaken the spirit of entrepreneurship - both social and economic - within India's youth by exposing them to individuals and institutions that are developing unique solutions to India's challenges. Through this national event we will inspire them to lead and develop institutions nationally and within their communities.

Find out more about Tata Jagriti Yatra and how you can get involved.

Voice Stick : Helps The Blinds To Read

Braille is on of the most important ways that visually impaired individuals acquire their information. The problem is that it is hard to find braille books due to the high costs involved to published them compared to common books.

But now technology is improving day by day and many of the innovations are being planned for various segments of people. Many of the innovations are also invented for people with various ailments. Like the new Voice Stick designed by Sung Woo Park





Voice Stick is a portable text scanning device for the visually impaired.When it scans printed letters, the OCR function recognizes the texts and converts the written information into a voice.The portable stick, Voice Stick, can be used to convert any words or letters found in our daily life, such as in books, newspapers, contracts, mail, etc., into voice information.

More details at: My Interesting Files

Does Rs.500 ($10) mean anything to you?

What is the value of Rs.500 for different people in today's world ?

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

Global Entrepreneurship Week is here

Gear up for India’s flagship events for Global Entrepreneurship Week being held by the National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) on 21st and 22nd of this month in Delhi, Pune, and Bangalore. Recognizing GEW’s theme of unleashing ideas and speed-networking, these events, entitled Unleash it!, are designed to bring together students, industry leaders, and experts to facilitate a free exchange of ideas and opinions.

More details at: http://www.unleashingideas.org/country/IN

FoodieBay ties up with Pankhudi

FoodieBay has tied hands with Pankhudi Foundation to generate funds for the NGO's cause. Starting November 11th, FoodieBay will contribute Rs.3 to Pankhudi for every new visitor who hits FoodieBay.com.


FoodieBay is an amazing website, which lists more than 1200 restaurants in the New Delhi NCR area with menus, contact numbers, ratings and reviews. The website is sorted by zones and subzones in Delhi, so that you can easily find places in and around the locality you live/work in.

 

Perfect website when you are looking for a menu to order food from or when you are just looking for a new place to eat and want to check out their wares beforehand.

 

VISIT FoodieBay via Pankhudi Website and help generate funds for underprivileged children.

Teach for India Fellowship 2009 - Apply now

Teach For India Fellows

The Teach For India Fellowship will probably be the most challenging experience of a Fellow's life and likely the most transformational. As a teacher, every day will give Fellows multiple opportunities to confront and tackle challenges, motivate diverse stakeholders to work hard toward a shared vision, create and adjust plans to move further towards goals and gain the confidence they need to succeed.

Role of TFI Fellows

Every Teach For India Fellow will have two main responsibilities, through which he/she will learn leadership skills in a hands-on, results-driven environment.

• Classroom Instructional Leadership

  Fellows will be full-time teachers in English-medium government or low-income private schools for two consecutive academic years (June through April). Fellows are expected to lead students in their classrooms toward academic achievement that defies traditional expectations. Fellows will foster this achievement by getting to know their students in and out of the classroom; creating instructional plans to match the whole class's and individual student's needs; delivering instruction in an engaging manner; working with other teachers, administrators and community members to build skills and obtain resources for the classroom; and administering and analyzing assessments to ensure that students are progressing towards their academic goals.
  

• Classroom/Community Transformation Project

  In the second year of the Fellowship, in addition to teaching, Fellows will implement a project in the school and/or students' community. The project will seek to tackle a principal challenge to students' achievement. To carry out this project effectively, Fellows will research and plan the project; amass resources necessary to implement the project; invest students, families, teachers, administrators and/or community members to help implement the project; and troubleshoot the project in its execution phase.

For more details: http://www.teachforindia.org/applynow.html

 

"Right to Education" Bill finally passed by Indian Govt.

The Union Cabinet in India has cleared the long-pending Right to Education Bill, which promises free and compulsory education to every child. The move should provide a much needed boost to the country's education sector.

Key provisions of the Bill include:
1) 25% reservation in private schools for disadvantaged children from the neighbourhood, at the entry level. The government will reimburse expenditure incurred by schools.
2) No donation or capitation fee on admission.
3) No interviewing the child or parents as part of the screening process.

http://infochangeindia.org/200811047453/Education/News/Right-to-Education-Bill-cleared.html

http://educationforallinindia.com/RighttoEducationBill2005.pdf

Pankhudi Bangalore features in Wall Street Journal (Live Mint)

Pankhudi has no employees and every individual associated with it works only as a volunteer

Pankhudi was founded in April 2005 by Shahzad Wakeel, who had then just passed out of IIT Mumbai. The foundation started as an Orkut community comprising young professionals with day jobs who were keen to contribute to society’s well-being. Pankhudi has no employees and every individual associated with it works only as a volunteer. Volunteers with the foundation in other cities work towards the education and health of street children and children living in slums.

Most volunteers with the foundation learnt of its existence through friends already working with it, or have chanced upon its website (www.pankhudifoundation.org). Volunteers in a particular city are encouraged to keep in touch via group mail or email. If a volunteer shifts to another city where Pankhudi is present, she just has to send an email to pr @ pankhudifoundation.org and she will be put in touch with local workers.

If you want to volunteer
Volunteers can teach, organize activities for the children, contribute towards the Pankhudi newsletter, or just choose to help during collection drives such as the recent Bihar flood relief drive. Pankhudi invites volunteers in seven different cities (Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkotta and Chennai) to teach and work on health care drives in slums. For those who want to make contributions in kind to SRMAB, the school needs computers, headphones, sports equipment and tape recorders. They can teach or organize activities for the children.

Full article at Live Mint - Wall Street Journal.

Your Last Chance to win $10000 and expand your Social Venture

Only few days left to apply for the Best Buy @15 Challenge to win $10,000! The Application Deadline is Monday, October 27th.

For more details, check out http://www.genv.net/bestbuy or contact 1-866-788-1628 / bestbuy15@youthventure.org

 

 

REMINDER: There is only a handful of days left to apply for the Best Buy @15 Challenge to win $10,000! The Application Deadline is Monday, October 27th. CLICK HERE to watch the video and learn how you can win $10,000 to expand your Venture!   For Questions about the @15 Challenge or the Application go to www.genv.net/bestbuy or contact 1-866-788-1628 / bestbuy15@youthventure.org

 

TED Prize » 37 Photographs. 3 Minutes. Millions of Lives to Save.

For the past 18 months James Nachtwey has documented the resurgence of tuberculosis in seven countries around the world. He has captured the lives of both patients and health care workers in the struggle against this ancient disease which still remains very much a part of the present. Not only does TB remain a killer disease in its most recognizable form but it is mutating into even more deadly forms: multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extremely drug resistant (XDR) TB. While still a small subset of the TB cases, these new strains pose a grave global health threat.

In the words of James Nachtwey:

Normal tuberculosis, if treated diligently, is very inexpensive and doesn’t take very long to cure. But if normal TB is not treated, it mutates and becomes 100 times more expensive, requires a two-year cure and a long stay in the hospital, which many of those infected cannot afford.

The thought of XDR getting out of control is truly frightening.

Today the TED Prize and James Nachtwey, along with our visionary partners, launched a world-wide series of events and an internet movement to build awareness of this forgotten plague.

Check out another slide show of his photos on WIRED.com

Share the story. Stop the disease.

Welcome To Ashoka (India)

Welcome To Ashoka Video screened at the new Fellow Orientation in India - Sept 08.

Pankhudi Foundation "Theme Song" launched

Want to help underpriviledged children, visit us at www.pankhudifoundation.org
or email us - join @ pankhudifoundation.org

Pankhudi launches ALL-INDIA Collection Drive for Bihar Flood Victims

Pankhudi Foundation has launched collection drive in six cities across India - Bangalore, Delhi, Pune, Kolkatta, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Please get in touch with local representatives for donations.

Click on poster to see contact details

2009 Echoing Green Fellowship Application Open

What is Echoing Green?

Since 1987, Echoing Green has provided seed funding and support to more than 450 social entrepreneurs with bold ideas for social change in order to launch groundbreaking organizations around the world. - www.echoinggreen.org

Message from Echoing Green Team

We're happy to announce that the Echoing Green's 2009 Fellowship application is now open.

To start an application, please go to http://application.echoinggreen.org. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email us at apply [at] echoinggreen.org.

Google launches "Project 10 to the 100th"

Project 10^100 is a call for ideas to change the world by helping as many people as possible.

If you have an idea that you believe would help somebody, we want to hear about it. We're looking for ideas that help as many people as possible, in any way, and we're committing the funding to launch them. You can submit your ideas and help vote on ideas from others. Final idea selections will be made by an advisory board.

Submission Deadline: October 20th, 2008

www.project10tothe100.com

Where you belong ?

Another nice quote from pravsworld.com

Oak Human Rights Fellowship Nominations 2009

Message from Oak Fellowship Team

I am pleased to announce a call for nominations for the 2009 Oak Human Rights Fellowship, sponsored by the Oak Institute for the Study of International Human Rights at Colby College in Waterville, Maine (USA). The fellowship is a one-semester appointment for a scholar-in-residence. It is designed to provide human rights practitioners doing "on-the-ground" work at some level of personal risk a respite from front-line duties to enable them to reflect, write, and communicate their work to our campus community.

The appointment is for the fall semester of 2009 (September through mid December). Responsibilities include participation in a lecture series or symposium in the Fellow's area of expertise and regular interaction with Colby students through a one credit non-graded discussion class. The College provides a stipend of $32,000, plus transportation, housing, health care coverage, and other fringe benefits. We encourage the fellow to bring family through limited financial support for their travel as well.

To identify candidates for our annual search, we rely heavily on nominations from NGOs, other journalists, human rights lawyers, and academics -- you are most likely to know of the work of on-the-ground professionals. Since your network has been active in the field of human rights or migration, we would like to solicit your nominations for the fellowship. Please submit nominations to us no later than November 1, 2008. We will contact nominee(s) and encourage him or her to apply; you might also suggest that your nominee(s) apply directly. Your nomination letter(s) will become part of the applicant's file, underscoring your recognition of this person's important contributions to human rights. The deadline for completed applications is December 15, 2008. For more information and application materials, please access our web page at www.colby.edu/oak ; we call your attention to the frequently asked questions sidebar to clarify terms and eligibility.


If you prefer to have an electronic copy of this announcement with a PDF brochure, please let us know. If you have any questions, you can reach me at +1 (207) 859-5234 or Assistant Director Susana Thompson at oakhr@colby.edu . Thank you in advance for helping us identify deserving candidates for this award.

Tech Power to the Bottom of the Pyramid

Social enterprise has a soulmate in Web 2.0, a powerful new tool for bottom-up, collaborative innovation.

In Tajikistan, Georgetown graduate student Dan Zuckerman is the face of Kiva, a San Francisco-based microlending organization operating in a region that currently hums with nearly 3,000 Kiva-sponsored entrepreneurs. Zuckerman has to get to know them and act as their bridge to their remote lenders by sharing their stories, both with the people providing loans and with the local microcredit institution, MLF MicroInvest, which is Kiva's partner. In all of Tajikistan, he works alone. How does Zuckerman, 25, manage to cover all this ground without support staff and with a supervisor 11,000 kilometers away?

Read more as to how non-profit organizations are teaming up with technology to accomplish some of the seemingly impossible tasks.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/157540

Staples Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition

Ashoka's Youth Venture and Changemakers is partnering with Staples to launch our first global competition to recognize young leaders who are finding new ways to create positive change in their communities. We are seeking the most inspirational ideas and projects led by young people between ages 12 and 24.

Help us spread the word about this initiative and nominate young leaders with fantastic ideas!

Now through October 15, 2008. Winners will be announced November 12, 2008.

http://www.changemakers.net/competition/staplesyv/


Meet Konstantine


Meet Brady

Last 10 Days - Register for Techshare India 2008 Road Show - Bangalore

Techshare India 2008 Road Show – 29^th August 08, Mobility India, Bangalore

With emerging technologies, innovation has no bounds. Technology is an enabler for all of us but more significantly for people with disabilities.

In a country where it is considered that almost 10% of the world's disabled population lives in India, it is imperative for the ecosystem to realize the power of technology that can break barriers for people with disabilities and include them in the main stream.

Key Speakers
Techshare India 2008 Road Show brings you an opportunity to meet eminent speakers those have expertise in the area of accessibility, assistive technology and disability. Some of the Key Speakers are listed below:

• Shilpi Kapoor, BarrierBreak Technologies - Basics of Web Accessibility
• Omprakash Subbarao, Yahoo! India - Building accessibility into large scale applications: The experience of Yahoo! Mail
• Vikas Sharma, AccessAbility - Access beyond Ramps
• Dr. Poonam R Gupta, CDAC, Noida  - Open Source Based Assistive Technologies
• Rohit Mallick, ITC Windsor Manor - Employability Initiatives for Person's with Disabilities
• My Stories - Stories of different people with disabilities from the Assistive Technology perspective
• B Ashok, National Institute for Mentally Handicapped  - Restructuring the work environment for people with Mental Retardation .... many more!

For full agenda visit: http://barrierbreak.com/events-conference/agenda-bangalore.php
To register for Techshare India 2008 Road Shows, kindly visit: http://www.barrierbreak.com/events-conference/conferenceregistration.php

Experience Zone - Free Entry to Experience Zone at Techshare India 2008 Road Show

Here is an opportunity to experience how people with disabilities lead an independent life! There will be different assistive devices and technologies that will be demonstrated by people with disabilities at the Experience Zone of Techshare India 2008 Road Show.

Few of the products that will be displayed at Techshare India 2008 are:

• Ergonomic Keyboard & Ergonomic Mice by Keyovation LLC
• Power wheel chair by Ostrich Mobility and Callidai Motor Works
• Screen Readers and many more
• Tools for Learning Disabilities

Come and learn easy Sign Language - Hello, Thank You, Welcome, Tea, etc at the experience zone!

Contact:
Pooja Nahata | Strategic Account Manager
BarrierBreak Technologies
India: +91 (22) 2686 0485/86
Cell: +91-98207 25102
Web: http://www.barrierbreak.com

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Emerging Leaders International Fellows Program

The Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society's Emerging Leaders International Fellows Program provides leadership training through applied research and professional mentorships for young scholar-practitioners in the nonprofit sector. The program is open to scholars and practitioners interested in building Third-Sector capacity in the United States and overseas. This year's Fellows will be selected from abroad and also from communities of color under-represented in the U.S. grantmaking sector. Fellows are based at The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, where they design and pursue an individualized research project and participate in a seminar with Third-Sector leaders

 

Fellows will participate in a 3-month seminar (Monday March 2 to Friday May 29, 2009) in the U.S. and international voluntary sectors. Fellows are expected to produce a 25-page research paper on their findings, which will be presented in the seminar. They will learn about the work of key agencies and meet with foundation and nonprofit representatives. They will also attend selected workshops or conferences.

 

Application materials for the Emerging Leaders International Fellows Program and Diversity Fellowship must be received no later than Thursday September 11, 2008. The selection will be made by a committee of leaders from the voluntary sector. Awards will be announced on or before Nowember 14, 2008.

More details at http://philanthropy.org/programs/intnl_fellows_program.html

 

Banking on Social Change: Seeking Financial Solutions for All

Enter Now • Collaborate • Nominate
Banking on Social Change: Seeking Financial Solutions for All
http://www.changemakers.net/competition/bankingonsocialchange/

Citi and Ashoka's Changemakers are looking for the best solutions where financial opportunity is possible for all. Entrants will find resources, including collaborative partners and potential investors.

The advent of new financing methods – from mobile banking to peer-to-peer lending – are changing the way we access, spend and save our money. "Banking on Social Change: Seeking Financial Solutions for All" aims to unearth the most innovative and cutting-edge methods that allow financial security to become a reality for everyone.

Enter before August 15th and be eligible to win an early entry prize of a camcorder and digital camera (equal value of $1000 US).

Competition closes on October 1, 2008.

http://www.changemakers.net/competition/bankingonsocialchange/

Pankhudi's Slum Children Teaching Activities at Delhi

Today I visited the Pankhudi Delhi Chapter's teaching activity at a slum near the New Friends Colony Area. Pankhudi has been teaching, conducting health camps, taking kids out for picnic, and doing various other activities with the kids at this slum for more than an year now.

The kids are currently being taught near the roadside with a lot of disturbance from the traffic. There is no shelter or boundary and hence passing people also tend to distract the kids.



Interested people can help in the teaching activity at Delhi in following ways:

1) Donate Stationary
You can donate stationary items like notebooks, pens, colours, sketchpens, etc. We are also in need of a whiteboard with stand. All this should not cost more than Rs.1000/-

2) Volunteer for teaching or other activities
The Pankhudi team visits the slum every Sunday for 2 hours in the morning. You can also be a part of the team and teach english, hindi, basic mathematics, drawing, and general knowledge among other social skills.

Please write to Naval (naval.chaudhary [at] gmail.com) or Reema (reema.govil [at]gmail.com) for donations or to be a part of the Pankhudi Delhi Team.

IDEA Design Trend: Social Responsibility

A strong sense of social responsibility ran through many of the winning entries.



The creation of socially responsible products was important to this year's IDEA jury. It recognized objects and prototypes that promoted sustainability, helped the electoral process, eradicated disease, bolstered village education for the poor, enabled the physically challenged and even envisioned new 21st century theater experiences for lovers of Shakespeare.

Read more about some of the socially-responsible winning entries.

Also see details of IDEA DESIGN AWARDS 2008.

Courage

HealthMap - Global disease alert map

An interesting website which gives the latest update info on the disease outbreaks on google maps. You can check for your city or a place you plan to visit.



HealthMap brings together disparate data sources to achieve a comprehensive view of the current global state of infectious diseases and their effect on human and animal health.

HealthMap provides a jumping-off point for real-time information on emerging infectious diseases and has particular interest for public health officials and international travelers.

Thanks Avinash for sending this :)

ICT's smart answer to climate change

Many know about the impact of airlines on Climate Change and some have started to offset their carbon emissions from air travel in an attempt to reduce their carbon footprint.

Few, however, are aware of how information and communication technologies (ICTs) affect climate change. With emissions of 830 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent (CO2-e in 2007) the ICT sector accounted for 2 percent of global carbon emissions, as much as aviation.

Earlier this month the Global eSustainability Initiative (GESI) and the non-profit organisation Climate Group published a report entitled ‘SMART 2020: Enabling the low carbon economy in the information age’. Presenting results from an analysis of the direct carbon footprint of the ICT sector, the report examines global emission reduction opportunities and strategies to overcome barriers hindering the full realisation of such.
Read further at CSR Asia

Design for Social Impact - IDEO + Rockefeller Foundation

With a new focus area on innovation, The Rockefeller Foundation is exploring new avenues for social change. One promising area is design and how the design industry can play a larger role in the social sector. This How-to Guide and the accompanying Workbook are written for design firms that are interested in joining in the conversation.

>> IDEO + Rockefeller Workbook (413 KB)
>> IDEO + Rockefeller Guide (4.75 MB)

IDEO Social Impact Page

Youth Venture Challenge in Mumbai

Message from Youth Venture:

 

Youth Venture is about to begin it's second cycle in Mumbai, so we are trying to spread the word to young people across the city between the ages of 15-24.

Most of you probably know that Youth Venture Challenge supports young people as they start their own social ventures.  We provide seed funding (up to Rupees 10,000). But we also conduct capacity building workshop and provide other resources (e.g mentorship). It's a dynamic program which seeks to transform the role of young people in Indian society.

Do you know any young people who are passionate about an issue (even if they aren't sure how to solve it)? Send them our way! We can help them develop their ideas and build a strong skill set.

You can contact Youth Venture by emailing at tvipin@ashoka.org or calling 9821877975.

Youth Venture Blog - http://yvchallenge.blogspot.com

 

Manthan Award South Asia 2008 - Nominations Open

Greetings from "Manthan Award South Asia 2008"!

We are pleased to announce the launch of "Manthan Award South Asia 2008" recognizing best ICT & e-Content Practices and Innovations for Development. Nominations are open for 2008 from e-Content innovators, practitioners and creators across South Asian Countries who wish to nominate their products and innovations for this prestigious award.

Nominations are invited in 15 categories: e-business; e-learning; e-culture; e-government; e-health; e-enterprise and livelihood; e-entertainment; e-education; e-environment; e-inclusion; e-localization; e-news; e-youth; m-content; community broadcasting.

To file nominations please visit www.manthanaward.org or http://www.manthanaward.org/NomProduct.asp

The Manthan Award is an initiative of Digital Empowerment Foundation with strategic support from Department of Information Technology, Government of India, and World Summit Award Austria.

Last Date for Nominations: July 15, 2008


For further details contact:

Ms. Ravi Kanta / Mr. Md. Niyaz
The Manthan Award South Asia 2008 Secretariat,
12/17, Sarvapriya Vihar,
New Delhi – 1100016, INDIA
Tel: 011-26532786 / 26532787 / 46024552 / 46080646
Telefax: 011-26532787
Email: manthanaward@gmail.com

Work From Home, Save The Environment

Sun Microsystems has presented evidence that telecommuting is not just a convenience for workers who wish to dispense with the morning routine of struggling to find something to wear, then fighting traffic or braving the gauntlet of public transportation. Sun just released the results of its Open Work Energy Measurement Project, a survey of its employees aimed at finding out just how beneficial its flexible scheduling policies are by calculating the difference in the environmental impact of commuting to an office versus working from home. It found that 98 percent of each employee's carbon footprint for work came from his or her commute. By staying home for half of a five-day workweek, the average employee reduced his or her job-related energy use by 5400 kilowatt-hours per year. Commuting half as much also saved each worker $1700 per year in fuel and other auto-related costs, and allowed them to regain more than two weeks that would otherwise be lost to traffic snarls or waits at train stations.

To learn more about Sun's eco responsibility efforts, visit: www.sun.com/eco

And for more information on Open Work, visit: www.sun.com/openwork

Nvidia High Impact Grants - $50000 each

Nvidia is willing to donate a High Impact Grant of $50,000 for community upliftment purposes. They're looking for four great organizations who will each receive $50,000 if they can prove they'll use the funds to create a transformative impact. The details can be found at http://www.nvidia.com/object/high_impact_grants.html

The process involves preparing an online application and shortlisting. The deadline for application submission is June 20, 2008.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact communityrelations [at] nvidia.com

iVolunteer - International Volunteering Opportunities

You will probably work for 40 years. Make two of them memorable.

iVolunteer Overseas and VSO offer a unique opportunity for committed Indian professionals to share their skills with disadvantaged people in the developing countries of Asia and Africa.  

VSO is an international charity that works through volunteers to fight poverty and disadvantage (voted top international development charity at the Charity Awards 2004). In India, VSO recruits volunteers through the iVolunteer Overseas Program (IVO).

VSO is  looking for skilled and experienced Indian professionals who are willing to volunteer for international assignments in the areas of Project Management, NGO Development Worker, Community Mobilization, HIV and AIDS, Microfinance, Mental Health and Primary Education.

Our volunteers make a 2-year commitment to share their skills where they are most needed. In return, they acquire a lot of expertise and abilities working with an international organization.

Who can volunteer

Post-graduate, over 25 years old, with minimum working experience of 3 years in the above work areas and fluent written and spoken English. Above all, the candidate must be willing to work in an interdisciplinary environment with sensitivity to cross-cultural development needs.

Previous Applicants:

Those who have previously applied to the program but were not called for a personal interview can again apply by sending an updated application form and CV.

How we support volunteers

Travel expenses, health insurance, monthly living allowance and other supportive grants. For a detailed working of the financial support please visit www.ivoindia.org

How you can apply

If you are interested in the program then send us your latest CV in word format at ivo@ivolunteer.org.in . You can also visit http://ivoindia.org/pages/HowtoApply.htm  download the application form, fill it and send it back to us at.

Last date for sending applications is 10^th July  2008

Thanks,

iVolunteer team

Pan-Bangalore Collection Drive - 15th June

Pankhudi Foundation is on its way to conduct its 3rd Collection Drive across Bangalore. The collections from this campaign would be donated to the Sri-Lankan Refugee Camp/School (also known as Rajiv Gandhi International Academy - IGIA) at Yelahanka, Bangalore.

Click here to see poster:


The Plan:
We will be starting early - around 8:30 AM with the collection drive and plan to return by 12 noon. We are booking a tempo and all members would be picked up from near thier residences along with the collections.

Timings:
Day - Sunday - 15th June
Time - 8:30 AM to 12 noon

What to Collect:
Clothes, Books, Toys, or any other useful household items.

Wish to be a part of this? Connect with:

Yatin Sethi - yatin.sethi [at] gmail.com
Sonali Majumdar - crazedflyer [at] gmail.com

Short Film: It is The Music

Budhan Theatre is a group based out of Ahmedabad (Gujarat) fighting for the rights and to raise awareness about the condition of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes using street plays and documentary films. Visit www.budhantheatre.org

A wonderful 4-min musical documentary by Dakxin Chhara of Budhan Theatre.

A gift from CSR Wire

I just received a copy of the recently published Chris Laszlo's book - Sustainable Value: How the world's leading companies are doing good by doing well as a gift from the CSRwire Team.

CSRwire is the leading source of corporate social responsibility and sustainability news, reports and information. Its members are companies and NGOs, agencies and organizations interested in communicating their corporate citizenship, sustainability, and socially responsible initiatives to a global audience through CSRwire's syndication network and weekly News Alerts.

Thank you Jack and Iris for this wonderful book :)

Chris Laszlo talks about his book in this video

Paul Farmer Encouraging Students to Get Involved

Dr. Paul Farmer, director of Partners in Health, gives some advice for the college generation looking to make a difference.

UnLtd India Incubation Program

Do you know exceptional individuals in Mumbai with ideas or initiatives for social change?

UnLtd India is looking for applicants from Mumbai for our unique incubation support programme.

The programme offers a one year long package of:
1. Start up funding
2. Hands-on assistance
3. Connections to peers, experts and leaders

The programme aims to develop leaders and enable them to start up sustainable, high-impact initiatives.

Eligibility criteria

The applicant must be:
1. Over the age of 16
2. Resident in India and based in Mumbai

The applicants must have an idea or initiative that is:
1. Beneficial for a deprived community or the public at large
2. Entrepreneurial in nature, i.e. resourceful, practical and/or innovative

If the applicants apply on behalf of a registered organisation then:
1. He/she must be a co-founder of the organisation
2. The organisation must not be more than 4 years old as a registered entity
3. The organisation must have a current budget of less than Rs. 10 Lakhs

Important points to note

1. Applicants could be working part time on their idea/project.
2. Applicants need not have registered organisations.
3. Applicants can apply as individuals or teams (up to three members) can apply.

Selection process

The applicants who meet the basic criteria will go through the following steps:
1. Meet an UnLtd India team member by 31st July, 2008.
2. Submit an application form by 15th August, 2008.
3. Present in front of an interview panel in September 2008.

If you know anyone within your network who meets the above criteria, then please send us their contact details at pooja.warier  [at] unltdindia.org or call us at 9867949306.

Here is the list of 10 social entrepreneurs from Mumbai who are being supported by UnLtd India.

TED Talks: Rich, poor and the $100 laptop

Paul Collier: 4 ways to improve the lives of the "bottom billion" Around the world right now, one billion people live in poverty because of a simple piece of bad luck: they were born in a poor or failing country. What can be done? Economist Paul Collier lays out a bold, compassionate plan for closing the gap between rich and poor -- and makes the case that we must. Watch this talk >>   Seyi Oyesola: Rich hospital, poor hospital Dr. Seyi Oyesola takes a searing look at health care in underdeveloped countries. His photo tour of a Nigerian teaching hospital -- all low-tech hacks and donated supplies -- drives home the challenge of doing basic health care in poor countries. Watch this talk >>   Arthur Ganson: Sculpture that's truly moving Sculptor and engineer Arthur Ganson talks about his work -- kinetic art that explores deep philosophical ideas and is also gee-whiz fun to look at. A fascinating glimpse into the creative mind. Watch this talk >>   Yves Behar: Designing objects that tell stories Designer Yves Behar digs up his creative roots to discuss some of the iconic objects he's created (the Leaf lamp, the Jawbone headset). Then he turns to the witty, surprising, elegant objects he's working on now -- including the "$100 laptop." Watch this talk >>   Robert Ballard: Exploring the ocean's hidden worlds Ocean explorer Robert Ballard takes us on a mindbending trip to hidden worlds underwater, where he and other researchers are finding unexpected life, resources, even new mountains. He makes a case for serious exploration and mapping. Google Ocean, anyone? Watch this talk >>