It can be so easy to become stuck in the mindset that we as "civilian's" cannot make a positive impact in this world! We see human rights lawyers, international organizations such as the UN and Human Rights Watch, governments, philanthropists and local NGO'S make positive impacts around the world on a daily basis. This can lead you to think that unless you have a top job in Geneva or New York or have access to unlimited funds then you won't be able to help.
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If you have thought this then you aren't alone but you are wrong. We want to use this section of the blog to show you what you can do to help and how easy it can be.
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Speak Out
'There's a moment when you have to chose whether to be silent or to stand up' Malala Yousafzai.
Our voice is our most important asset, a powerful tool that can help to inform others and bring about change. So often we remain quiet, afraid of confrontation or what others may think of us. However silence can be seen as complicity. What may seem obviously wrong to you may not to others. You don't need to start by addressing large groups of people, use your voice and start speaking about the issues you care about to your family and friends.
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Join a Organisation / Donate your time
Is there an organisation in your area that you have an interest in? By joining an organisation, you will not only be able to give back to your community but you will have the opportunity to use your skills in a different way.
If time restraints are holding you back from volunteering, there are a number of online organisations such as Global Citizen . Global Citizen is a social action platform where you can learn about issues, take actions on issues you care about. On their website they say, ‘ The effects of small actions are not always obvious, but by working together specific and tangible outcomes are achieved. Global Citizens’ voices influence world leaders and decision makers, and contribute to shaping our world’.
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For many, joining an organisation isn’t as easy as it may sound. Time and financial restraints may be a issue or there may not be an organisation in your area that you have an interest in. Reach out to local shelters, refuges or charities and ask about donating your time on a one off basis. Many towns and cities have online volunteer pages or drop in centers where you can select your preferred cause and the type of volunteering you are looking to do.
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MOOC’s
Massive Open Online Courses are free online courses available to all. MOOC’s are video based and while they don’t lead to a formal qualification they do provide education that may enable employment and future studies through peer review, group collaboration or online assessments. Learning in an informal setting and at your pace has been an attraction many over the years.Courses are offered in a range of languages and across a broad range of topics. EdX , Coursera and iversity are all popular platforms.
Ethical shopping
In recent years, we have seen and heard a great deal about ethical brands. We have been forced to ask ourselves who makes our clothes, where does our food come from and what are the working conditions that the workers who make and grow consumer goods like. Investigate where your clothes, food and cosmetics come from, do they meet ethical standards? It can be hard though, should you buy local, organic or fairtrade goods? If you have to drive to the farmers market to buy produce is it worth it if there is a local grocery store a 2 minute walk away even if that store doesn’t have organic , fair trade produce? Unfortunately there isn’t a one size fits all answer, to say there is would be a lie and be unrealistic.
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