All People Making a Difference
Difference MakerChepe Ubaque survived Colombia's mean streets. Now he helps others do the same.Hip-hop, graffiti, break dancing, and journalism programs give teens in Colombia a safe way to express themselves 鈥� and avoid violence.
Charities plan to distribute $2 million in aid for Colorado shooting victimsMore than 2,500 individuals have donated to help victims and their families in the aftermath of a shooting spree in a Colorado theater. At GivingFirst.org donors can choose from a list of 10 organizations to contribute to.
Teach Twice shares stories with the worldTeach Twice's title echoes its dual purposes: Provide parents with great stories to read to children, and provide financial aid to schools and students in developing countries.
Fish-loving Japan begins to embrace sustainable seafoodIn fish-crazed Japan, where eating seafood is a vital part of the nation's culture, conservation groups are working with companies to persuade more Japanese to eat certified, sustainably caught seafood. If they succeed, it could have a significant positive impact on the world's fisheries.
Water harvesting slakes thirst at an innovative Kenyan innFaced with an expensive and unreliable municipal water supply, an entrepreneur collects rainwater for his inn in an underground tank, creating an abundant supply for the guest rooms, toilets, bathrooms, kitchen, and restaurant.
Social media: Kids leverage online networks for civic engagementSocial media is a tool that enables kids to engage in issues they care about and bring about real change. Just ask Seventeen magazine and Universal Studios.
Why resilience is the key to solving 21st century problemsAuthor and PopTech executive director Andrew Zolli says the ability of people and institutions to bounce back from challenges will be needed more and more. It can be learned, as he found out in his own life.
US students major in ... philanthropyIndiana University has built a serious program around charitable works, including the first philanthropy doctoral program. Now it has graduated the first students in the US to earn a bachelor's degrees in philanthropy.
Why a grateful father helped raise $1.1 million to help veteransPhillip Green did not have to send his children to Iraq or聽Afghanistan, so he wanted to thank the troops that did go. He's part of a group trying to convince some rich families to pledge 1 percent of聽their net worth to helping vets.
An Olympic 'truce' on the tough streets of East LondonYoung people in a rough London borough use peacebuilding techniques to curb local violence.
Sharing local knowledge helps farmers succeedFive groups highlight how farmers can share their problems and solutions with each other and policymakers around the world.
Clean biogas improves life in rural VietnamThousands of small biogas plants turn manure from farm animals into a useful resource.
University of the People offers low-cost college courses via the InternetUniversity of the People has enrolled 1,500 students from 132 countries. Courses are taught online by professors from around the world who volunteer their time.
Frugal innovation: the lessons of India's 'jugaad'Corporations may be able to learn from developing-world entrepreneurs, who emphasize frugality, flexibility, and simplicity in designing products.
Women bring a new approach to philanthropyFemale-headed households are more likely to give to charity than male-headed households, and women are creating their own styles of giving.
Schwarzenegger still a man of (environmental) actionThe former California governor and action film star has founded R20 Regions of Climate Action. It teams local and state governments, and other partners, to find ways to become energy efficient in economically viable ways.
Seeing 'vacant' lots as a community assetIn many neighborhoods people are turning vacant lots into parks, gardens, playgrounds, and more.
A 10-year-old urges restaurants to 'be straw free'Ten-year-old Milo Cress has started BeStrawFree, a website that encourages restaurants to cut plastic waste by not automatically offering plastic straws to customers.- Difference MakerSon of an anti-Nazi hero uses family estate to nurture democracy and rule of lawHelmuth Caspar von Moltke, son of an anti-Nazi hero, uses the family estate in Poland to teach teenagers about democracy and protecting human rights.
Three families pledge to raise $30 million in aid for US veteransThree affluent families have donated more than $1 million to help US veterans groups and plan to seek contributions from other wealthy people.
