Speak Up: Why wait for others to make things better? You can start by speaking up!

Speak up, offers "World Famous Paul C" | Photo by Aanchal Maholtra

By Paul Chin

How many times have you had an idea, concern or qualm about something going on and said: "I wish I could do something about that"?

Why haven't you? What exactly is it you think you need to go out and get things done? Before the time, money and resources, you need a voice.

One of the greatest challenges of the day and age we live in is the ever-expanding scale of audience. With the advent of the internet, anyone can hop on a computer and start talking about what's near and dear to their heart. Incidentally, this challenge is also our greatest resource. The sheer volume of foolishness we're bombarded with, every day, has left us aware of how little value the vast majority of talking contains. This only makes it easier for campaigns of proactivity to shine through.

Why wait for someone else to work on resolving that which you've already isolated as problematic? The sooner you get out and talking about doing good, the sooner good gets done.

Don't let your lack of resources discourage you because you never know who you may end up in conversation with. On the same note, don't count out your own skills. If you have a gift for songwriting, write music; if you're good at coordinating people and events, rally your cause with others; if you're a filmmaker, let documented proof speak for you. Or if you have ideas but think you lack the charisma, find someone who shares your passion or concern and is better with words. It's not about the credit but the final result, right? The wider your network, the more effective you'll be but it all starts with speaking up.

Enlist your community to IMPROVE your community. Everyone wants to be a part of making things better. Don't wait for everyone else to do it, though.

Paul C is studying to become an illustrator and is a musician. From the Cayman Islands, he now lives in Toronto.

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Speak Up for Change Writing Topic Schedule: Fall 2009

Speak Up for Change is proud to enter its second year of giving youth and NGOs a chance to write about poverty and education-related issues and more on SpeakUpforChange.ca!

If you would like to contribute to the Speak Up for Change blog, please register yourself to Become a Writer for Speak Up for Change! You may also email your submission to editor@accesscharity.ca for consideration at any time.

We are open to informative articles, news-related pieces, videos, photography, poetry and various other forms of speaking up! Also, please feel free to also submit posts on relevant topics not covered by this writing schedule, or at different times of the year, as we will save and consider all entries. Please see the Contributor Criteria at the end of this article.

Writing Topic Schedule 2009-2010


Part 1: Fall 2009

Note that the following schedule is subject to change. Please see updates on our schedule page.

Literacy

Due: September 6th 2009

Today one in five adults still cannot read or write. Even in this modern age, world literacy continues to be an issue and an obstacle that many governments and organizations are trying to overcome. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared September 8th World Literacy Day. It is part of a decade long program aimed at eradicating global illiteracy. To begin this school year’s blog we would like to ask writers why literacy is so important to them. How it can be used as a tool to defeat poverty and improve the overall life of people living in unfortunate situations.

Eradication of Poverty

Due: September 27th 2009

Poverty is one of the biggest obstacles that people face on an everyday bases. From basic shelter to acquiring nutritional food to eat is a challenge for more than half of the worlds’ population. The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is celebrated every year on October 17th throughout the world. Its aim is to allow the voices of the poor to be heard and to encourage others to do something productive about their suffering. For this topic we would like writers to explore the various causes of poverty and ways in which individuals are working toward eradicating it. Can poverty really be beaten or is it just a fantasy of the hopeful?

Favourite Activists

Due: October 11th 2009

There are many brilliant people who have contributed great accomplishments to the world. From Nelson Mandela to Mother Teresa there are many figures who have tirelessly worked to abolish many of the world`s injustices. Select your favourite prominent activist and showcase what they have done to make this world a better place. State what are their main achievements as well as why they inspire yourself as an activist. The person you select does not have to be a famous role model, take this opportunity to praise someone whose work may go unnoticed or to simply sing the praises that many already admire.

Hunger

Due: October 25th 2009

Hunger and Malnutrition are one of the leading causes of death in many poverty stricken nations. It affects about 792 million people in the world today. This includes 20% of the population in developing countries. It is known that malnutrition affects one in three people in the entire world. With Halloween and trick-or-treating soon approaching we would like to address this serious issue. Soon children will be gorging on copious amounts of candy while other children in the world will be starving. This week we ask writers to discuss what is being done to end world hunger and what we as individuals can do to make a dent in these horrible statistics.

Remembrance Day

Due: November 8th 2009

Annually on November 11th we honour the brave men and women who have fought bravely in the world`s past wars. Even though we highly support and encourage peace, it is important to acknowledge the significant sacrifices others have made to maintain and promote freedom and democracy. This week we would like to honour those who have fought for these great ideals by remembering their lives and commemorating their substantial accomplishments.

World AIDs Day

Due: November 22nd 2009

AIDS is a major pandemic which has shaken our world in a disastrous way. It has taken many lives in the past and continues to deteriorate the lives of many in the present and even the future. December 1st is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. This week we would like to commemorate this important day by doing our part in spreading the word about the significant impact of AIDS. What is its affect on people`s everyday lives and how has it changed the way we look at healthcare and preventative medicine today?

Human Rights

Due: December 6th 2009

This year December 10th 2009 will commemorate the United Nations’ adoption and proclamation of the International Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration was first ratified in 1948 and since then the United Nations has worked tirelessly to provide “dignity and justice for all.” Even though this document has stated that all human beings are entitled to certain rights this has not been the case for many in the past. This week on SUFC we would like to discuss what human rights mean to you as an individual. We would also like you to examine areas in your community or internationally where human rights have not been met.

Modern Day Slaves

Due: December 20th 2009

Even though slavery has been abolished since the early 1800s in Canada it still continues every day in certain places around the world. Both children and adults, female and male are being taken advantage of to serve other`s needs. It is important that we acknowledge how people are unfairly being used and what can be done to stop it. This week we would like writers to identify where in the world modern day slavery occurs, what the current situation is and what is being done to stop and prevent this grave human indiscretion.

Our January to June will be posted in December 2009.

Contributor Criteria

• Everything must be (to the extent of the writer’s knowledge) true and every measure within the writer’s power should be exercised to ensure that his/her contribution is not falsified
• Facts and statistics used in every piece must be accurate and up-to-date
• Resources consulted should be referenced and should be sourced properly. For example, if statistics are barrowed from the Amnesty International website, the URL of their site should be included at the end of the piece
• Each contribution should promote positive and productive discussion of the issue and should provoke influential thought
• Material should be age appropriate, considering the audience range from elementary school students to university students
• Any multimedia attached to contributions should be the work of the author. If this is not possible the author should have been granted explicit permission to use it or it should be cited properly. However, links to YouTube videos are acceptable, if the video is appropriate and applicable.

Thanks for your interest in Speak Up for Change!

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Our Top 5 Most Popular Posts

Speak Up for Change is featuring its most popular recent posts. They reflect the wide range of issues covered on the blog, ranging from Twitter to Homelessness to the latest in global events.

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1. Top Websites for Activism, Non-Profits and Social Change
   
2. Charity Tuesday Takes Off on Twitter
   
3. Iran: Past and Present and "Prisoner of Tehran"
   
4. Racial Discrimination Exists Today
   
5. Homeless and Human: A Photo Series
   

To contribute or inquire about getting involved, email editor@accesscharity.ca or sign up here. Thank you for your support!

Be the Solution

If you want things to be different then take action to make it happen!

The Foundation For Caregivers has a campaign called Be the Solution (btsol). We thought it was so relevant that we're sharing it on the Speak Up for Change blog today.

For every problem, there is a solution. As a change-maker, you must be that solution. This applies to both everyday life and the huge problems of the world. Here are some common problems, and suggested solutions, showing us how easy it is to take action!

• Can't find a job? Start a company, Volunteer, Go to school
• Don't like the government? Vote, Run for office, Petition
• Think kids need to change? Be a better parent, Mentor, Teach
• See others in need? Help them, Donate, Volunteer
• Other concerns? Do something positive

"What we're saying today is that you're either part of the solution or you're part of the problem." - Eldridge Cleaver, 1968.

The above content is found online at www.btsol.org (Copyright © 2009 Foundation For Caregivers).

Have your voice heard about issues that matter. Speak Up for Change! Register as a contributor at now.

Speak Up for Change this Summer

We've covered a wide range of important issues this year. During the summer, along with exciting guest posts, we're opening up the blog to issues of your choice (that maintain the Speak Up for Change vision).

Please email editor@accesscharity.ca to share your ideas! You can also sign-up to become a contributor here.

Here's what we've been blogging about this year:

Top Websites for Activism, Social Change, Non-Profits and Resources

Speak Up for Change has complied a list of some websites and online tools for activists, non-profit organizations, and those looking to make a difference online! Included are links and a breif description of each site, as well as links to their Twitter accounts.

Websites included in this post have been selected based on their usefulness and relevance, but there are still more to be added in a future post. Please comment on this post or email editor@accesscharity.ca with your suggestions.

Change.org (www.change.org and @changedotorg)
Change.org serves as a central platform informing and empowering movements for social change around the most important issues of our time.

Global Issues.org (www.globalissues.org)
GlobalIssues.org provides insights into global issues that may be misrepresented but are all closely related.

TakingItGlobal (www.tigweb.org and @takingitglobal)
TakingITGlobal.org is an online community that connects youth to find inspiration, access information, get involved, and take action in their local and global communities.

Idealist.org (www.idealist.org and @idealist)
A "global clearinghouse of nonprofit and volunteering resources", offering a directory of volunteer opportunities and other resources.

Charity Village (www.charityvillage.com and @CharityVillage)
Canada's supersite for the nonprofit sector, with thousands of pages of news, jobs, resources and links.

Social Actions (www.socialactions.com and @socialactions)
Social Actions is an open source database of actions people can take on any issue. The actions are aggregated from across the social web and include everything from volunteer opportunities to micro credit loans.

Global Voices (globalvoicesonline.org and @globalvoices)
Global Voices aggregates, curates, and amplifies the global conversation online – shining light on places and people other media often ignore.

The Online Giving Blog (www.onlinefundraisingblog.com)
Whether you're an experienced online fundraiser or new to raising money online, answers to your questions can be found on this blog.

Imagine Canada (www.imaginecanada.ca and @ImagineCanada)
A national program to promote public and corporate giving, volunteering and support to the community.

We-Care.com (www.we-care.com and @We_Care_Giving)
We-Care.com allows your organization to receive money when your supporters shop at major online merchants. It is free, customized to support your brand and message, and fully managed so it's not taking up your staff time.

Global Giving (www.globalgiving.com and @GlobalGiving)
GlobalGiving is an online marketplace that connects you to the causes and countries you care about. You select the projects you want to support, make a tax-deductible contribution, and get regular progress updates - so you can see your impact.

Other Related Organizations to Follow on Twitter

Apart from Speak Up for Change @sufc, here are some active users that you may want to follow for more information on activism and the non-profiit sector!

@twittacause
@changefeed
@Philanthropy
@socialactions
@firstgiving
@Top10Causes

Speak Up for Change (speakupforchange.ca and @sufc) gives youth and non-profit organizations a chance to write about poverty, education-related issues and more. Subscribe via email or become a contributor today!

Youth Can Move the World

Yes, they can. And the annual Youth Can Move the World Symposium in Ontario's Peel Region is proof.

Last year, over 250 students gathered for an inspiring day where they learned how they can help create "a world that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable" through a program designed to empower, entertain and energize them.

Youth Can Move the World is a free symposium open to those aged 15 to 25, which again this year takes place in Mississauga, Ontario on Saturday, February 21, 2008.

The symposium is a character-building event at which a number of workshops and seminars are lined up to help build self-esteem in youth and motivate them to make a difference in the world.

Valerie Davis, Chair of Youth Can Move the World explains that this is a special opportunity for youth to explore ways of putting their passion and commitment for particular causes into practice, both immediately and locally. She says, "it’s also a wonderful opportunity for the region’s social agencies to introduce the next generation to their work and the benefits they bring to our communities."

This year, several organizations focused on youth, environment and other social causes wills showcase their youth volunteer opportunities to participants, including ACCESS Charity and Speak Up for Change.

First held in 2006, Youth Can Move the World was inspired by the United Nations declaration of the years 2005-2014 as the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

Guests this year will participate in a full day of programming that will "encourage and enable youth to engage with community-based organizations to explore opportunities to transform their interests into action through local volunteerism".

Last year's seminars and workshops included Green Entrepreneurship, a discussion on living a greener life, and Media for Change, a critical analysis of the media's influence on society.

ACCESS featured a video on the 2008 symposium, which is available below:



You can register online right now, by clicking here!

For more information on this year's event, visit youthcanmovetheworld.ca.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and What's Coming Up

Coming in January and February 2009, the Speak Up for Change Blog will feature an exciting lineup of articles, in addition to student contests.

Included in the January lineup are blogs about what the Kielburgers are urging Obama's focus to be, words from the Gates about their Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and two feature stories from students who've traveled to the impoverished bateyes of the Dominican Republic.

If you are interested in getting involved with Speak Up for Change, you can sign-up to contribute by clicking here, or if you'd like to get your school or organization involved, download the informational brochure by clicking here.

Teachers and organizations who have questions about the program or would like to speak to someone about getting involved, please email editor@accesscharity.ca to connect with us.

To receive each of our posts in your email inbox, you can subscribe to this blog here. You can also become a fan on our Facebook Page.

We look forward to an exciting future as we begin to expand our program!

Happy New Year from the Speak Up for Change Team

Blog Action Day is October 15

Participate in Blog Action Day through Speak Up for Change!

Blog Action Day is an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion.

The purpose of Blog Action Day is to create a discussion. They ask bloggers to take a single day out of their schedule and focus it on an important issue. This year: Poverty. Send your submission to editor@accesscharity.ca before October 30th to be considered for a MP3 player prize!