The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers, but above all, the world needs dreamers that do... Sarah Ban Breathnach

Sunday 11 December 2011

Peace One Day Jeremy Gilley


We're building the biggest call for peace the world has ever seen: 
Global Truce 2012  and we want you to be part of it!
Each year, 21 September marks Peace Day;
a day for wide-scale community action, and a day for UN agencies
and aid organisations to safely carry out life-saving work.

What have we done so far?

By 2007 - 100 million people have been active
on Peace Day (source UNDPI).
Peace Day 2007 - Peace One Day ambassador Jude Law and
founder Jeremy Gilley traveled to Afghanistan to spearhead
a campaign that has resulted in 4.5 million children being vaccinated 
against polio in previously unreachable areas.
Peace Day 2008 - UN Department of Safety and Security recorded a
70% reduction in violent incidents in Afghanistan on Peace Day.
Peace Day 2010 - WHO/UNICEF/Afghan Ministry of Public Health
vaccinated over 50,000 children and women in 
23 locations against all vaccine-preventable diseases.
They also launched a nationwide polio campaign 
targeting 8 million children across Afghanistan.

And the future?

For Peace Day 2012, we're calling for a day of 
ceasefire and non-violence - a Global Truce.

We want 21 September 2012 to be the largest reduction in
global violence in recorded history, both domestically and internationally.
We know that this is an ambitious aim,
but we believe that each individual has the power to make a difference 
if we all come together, we can change the world, one day at a time.
Take the first step to peace  

Wednesday 7 December 2011

One of the most distinctive and prolific artists in Australia Beastman



Beastman is an artist based in Sydney. 
Influenced by the beauty and symbolism behind 
nature’s repetitive geometric patterns and organic lines.

Beastman's tightly detailed, often symmetrical paintings 
depict a parallel world of hope and survival inhabited by his 
beastlike yet beautiful and emotive characters.

These instantly recognisable and loveable deities have spawned from the elements of the earth, as if nature has come to life in a way we could never have imagined.

Tuesday 6 December 2011

International Peace Day


This year 2011 on International Peace Day-September 21
A class at the local primary school Avoca Beach 
participated by colouring in and designing their own 
peace symbols taken to school by young activist Lenny Harriott.

Along with the symbols Lenny also took some information about
International Peace Day and Jeremy Gilley.

Lenny's teacher further encouraged and supported their exploration 
and communication by showing the class the 
Peace One Day website and video footage, see link below


Lenny hopes to get the whole school involved next year to 
celebrate the plans of Peace One Day and their aim to create 
the biggest call to peace to world has ever seen.

Lenny is a wonderful advocate for Peace One Day.
I look forward to my involvement and staying tuned in to 
the activity and lead up to International Peace Day 2012.

Sunday 4 December 2011

Free The Children's We Day




Free The Children's We Day is more than just one day of celebration and inspiration. We Day is the movement of our time - a movement of young people leading local and global change.
Harnessing the energy and passion of a young community of changemakers, We Day brings youth together in an unparalleled setting to show them that they are not alone in their journey to make a difference.
Within stadiums full of cheering young people, We Day brings some of the greatest social issues of today to the forefront, and - no matter the cause, no matter the issue - provides ways in which every young person can find their place within the movement to create global change.

Sunday 27 November 2011

We Want Peace - Emmanuel Jal


Emmanuel Jal’s Story

“Left home at the age of seven/one year later I’m carryin’ an Ak-47.” For hip hop artist Emmanuel Jal, a former child soldier in Sudan’s brutal civil war, these lyrics are hardly empty posturing. They are the bitter reality of a young man who was “forced to sin” but determined to “never give up and never give in.” Today, wounded but still hopeful, Emmanuel Jal fights a new battle: bringing peace to his beloved Sudan and building schools in Africa.

This time, his weapon is a microphone. See why audiences from New York to Berlin to London rave about the award-winning film, War Child, and have embraced the hip-hop artist with a terrifying past and a gentle soul. Interspersing original interviews, live concerts, and rare footage of Emmanuel Jal as a seven year-old boy, War Child will make viewers cry, laugh, dance, and celebrate the power of hope.

Wednesday 23 November 2011

Being Young and Making an Impact - Natalie Warne


At 18, Natalie Warne’s work with the Invisible Children movement made her a hero for young 
activists.

At TEDxTeen she uses her inspiring story to remind us that no one is too young to change the world.

For more inspiring free to the world talks by remarkable people around the globe visit TEDx below.




In the spring of 2003, three young filmmakers traveled to Africa in search of a story. What started out as a filmmaking adventure transformed into much more when these boys from Southern California discovered a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them, a tragedy where children are both the weapons and the victims.

After returning to the States, they created the documentary "Invisible Children: Rough Cut," a film that exposes the tragic realities of northern Uganda.s night commuters and child soldiers.

The film was originally shown to friends and family, but has now been seen by millions of people. The overwhelming response has been, "How can I help?" To answer this question, the non-profit Invisible Children, Inc. was created, giving compassionate individuals an effective way to respond to the situation.

Monday 21 November 2011

Minds In The Water - Dave Rastovich


Minds in the Water is a feature-length documentary following the quest of professional surfer Dave Rastovich and his friends to protect dolphins, whales and the oceans they all share. Through Dave's journey—a five-year adventure spanning the globe from Australia to the Galapagos, Tonga, California, Alaska and Japan—we see one surfer’s quest to activate his community to help protect the ocean and its inhabitants.
The message: if ocean minded people are to pass
on a sustainable culture then they must become responsible stewards of their coastal environment
~ Dave Rastovich


TransparentSea is an awareness campaign aimed at highlighting coastal environmental issues, with particular attention given to cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and the waters they inhabit.
The first journey (Byron Bay to Bondi, Australia, 2009) successfully highlighted the plight of humpback whales and the threat faced by Japanese whaling fleets.
The second (California, October, 2011) traces the southern migration of the California Grey Whale from Santa Barbara to Baja, Mexico with an emphasis on engaging key coastal community groups and drawing awareness to the causes they support.

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Birke Baehr - What's wrong with our food system...


12 year old Birke Baehr presents his take on a major source of our 
food - far away and less-than-picturesque industrial farms.

Keeping farms out of sight promotes a rosy, unreal picture of big box agriculture, he argues as he outlines the case for green and localize food production.

At age 9, while traveling with his family and being "roadschooled," Birke Baehr began studying sustainable and organic farming practices such as composting, vermiculture, canning and food preservation. Soon he discovered his other passion: educating others -- especially his peers -- about the destructiveness of the industrialized food system, and the alternatives. He spoke at TEDxNextGenerationAsheville in 2010

Tuesday 15 November 2011

1.4 Billion Reasons - Ending Global Poverty



The Global Poverty Project's vision is a world without extreme poverty within a generation. 
We exist to increase the number and effectiveness of people taking action to end extreme poverty.
We have developed 1.4 Billion Reasons - a simple yet ground-breaking presentation, that is travelling the world, inspiring and empowering audiences in its path.
Making simple changes, everyone can be part of the solution.
Compelling and challenging, the presentation moves audiences to take action and become a part of the movement to end extreme poverty.

Founded by two Australians, the Global Poverty Project was launched at the UN High Level Event on the MDGs in September 2008.
1.4 Billion Reasons launched to the world from Melbourne in July 2009. Since then, the presentation has been seen by more than 60,000 people.
In 2011 the Project continues its grassroots phase, as we train a number of passionate Australians to deliver 1.4 Billion Reasons in their own communities, and expand our education and advocacy work.

Monday 7 November 2011

Dallas Clayton



This is Dallas Clayton.  
He wrote a book for his son about the idea of 
dreaming big and never giving up. 
He put it online and his whole life changed forever. 

Because of this he started a Foundation to give away one book for every copy of An Awesome Book he sells. Now he writes children's books for a living, travel the world reading to kids, and spend his days having magical adventures.


The foundation was formed in an effort to promote children's literacy by 
encouraging kids to dream and dream often.
 The foundation's goal is to donate one book for every copy of An Awesome Book sold by Awesome World llc. Books are delivered directly and distributed to schools, hospitals, libraries, camps and shelters both domestically and worldwide.

Sunday 6 November 2011

Take 3 A Clean Beach Initiative


The 'Take 3' message is simple: take three pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach or waterway and you have made a difference.  

Marine debris, particularly plastic, has a disastrous impact in our oceans on marine life and, ultimately, us. We can greatly reduce the amount of marine debris in our oceans by preventing it from getting there in the first place. We encourage people to 'Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle' and Respond by picking up other people's rubbish.
As a proud recipient of the inaugural "2011 Taronga Conservation Society Green Grant" the team at Take 3 are ready to take this important initiative to Australia and beyond.
Take 3 and you will make a difference!

Wednesday 2 November 2011

Define Necessity


Gift Giving

In a world were so few have so much and so many have so little.
We have indulged long enough in the oasis that we can just continue to live beyond our means and ignore the needs of those less fortunate.

The depletion of natural resources brought about by the greed of governments, corporations and various individuals, has become the fuel which has powered the mass production and consumerism of modern societies.

This has left this world with an unhealthy balance and for a great many an unlivable inbalance of power and wealth, which to the extreme has us living in a world were a child dies every 3 seconds.

How do we continue to justify and excuse the extravagance in our lives when we know without a doubt that in our world there are those that will live their whole lives in the misery of the neglect of their basic human rights to food, water and shelter.

One way in which we can be more aware is in the traditions of gift giving, which without a doubt is one of our greatest displays of overindulgence.

In a world were over 80 billion dollars is spent worldwide for the sole purpose of a holiday that was originally marked on the calendar as a religious celebration of life, we have created a monster that leaves behind a trail of waste and consequences that we can no
longer afford to ignore or remain indifferent to.

The throwaway nature of our societies is no more present and obvious than at Christmas time.

It has long been the time to shift the focus, time, energy and money from mass productivity of goods, trades and services that, use, abuse and destroy our planet, our environment, our people and our animals in one form or another.

By putting our energy and focus into creating a world that is sustainable and fair and encouraging those around us to do the same, there is hope.

Teaching our children, the future generations of adults and leaders to come, the value in the principle that less is more.
Reminding ourselves and teaching our children that its is in the giving that we receive.

Melanie Lee

Sunday 30 October 2011

Adora Svitak


Child prodigy Adora Svitak says the world needs "childish" thinking: bold ideas, wild creativity and especially optimism. Kids' big dreams deserve high expectations, she says, starting with grownups' willingness to learn from children as much as to teach.

Thanks Messyfish

"What makes people smart, curious, alert, observant, competent, confident, resourceful, persistent - in the broadest and best sense, intelligent- is not having access to more and more learning places, resources, and specialists, but being able in their lives to do a wide variety of interesting things that matter, things that challenge their ingenuity, skill, and judgement, and that make an obvious difference in their lives and the lives of people around them."

~John Holt~ Teach Your Own

Friday 28 October 2011

Acrylic on board artwork by Natasha aged 12 years


I love painting, life inspires me to be creative, 
my life would be dull without it.
It feels like and escape to freedom and my true identity.
Creativity makes my life so much more exciting and adventurous.
I feel free and safe when I paint and create new things.

I FEEL UNIQUE!

As told to me by Natasha.


Thursday 27 October 2011

Miss Representation


Miss Representation.org is a call-to-action campaign that seeks to empower women and girls to challenge limiting labels in order to realize their potential and transform our culture for the betterment of all.

Given the advent of the 24-7 news cycle and the proliferation of infotainment and reality TV, media has become the predominant communicator of cultural values and gender norms, telling us all who we can and cannot be.

We believe that one ordinary individual, united with others around a common, meaningful goal, can spark millions of small actions that ultimately lead to a cross generational revolution to eradicate gender stereotypes and create lasting cultural and sociological change that will benefit not only women, but the world at large.

Sunday 9 October 2011

TWO WOLVES

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson
about a battle that goes on inside people.
‘My son the battle is between the two wolves”
inside all of us.

One is dark: it is anger, envy
jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance,
self pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority & ego.

The other is good: joy, peace, love, hope,
serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,
truth, compassion & faith.

The grandson thought about it a minute
and then asked his grandfather
“which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied
“the one you feed.”

Free The Children



Throughout history, young people have always been at the forefront of every movement for social change. 
They make hope infectious. They have shameless idealism and an unstoppable drive. 
Free The Children was founded on the understanding that by awakening the spirit of leadership in young people, injustices can be stopped, communities transformed and hope ignited.

Girls Not Brides


Girls Not Brides is a new global partnership to end the harmful traditional practice 
of child marriage, so that girls can fullfil their potential.
To find out more about what you can do to help
Please visit the link below...


What is Girls Not Brides?

Girls Not Brides is a global partnership of organisations working
to end child marriage all over the world.
Together, we aim to give a voice to girls at risk of child marriage,
to defend their rights to health and education,
and to give them the opportunities they need to fulfil their potential.

We also aim to support children who are or have been victims of child marriage,
 to increase awareness of the scale and impact of child marriage,
and to mobilise the support and resources needed to end child marriage.
We believe that our members can be more effective working together than working alone.
Our partnership will maximise our collective impact by pooling
efforts and resources, energies and experience.

Friday 7 October 2011

Nick Vujicic "I LOVE LIVING LIFE. I AM HAPPY."


Nick Vujicic and his attitude serve as a great examples 
of the celebration of life over limitations.

The human spirit can handle much more than we realize.

"I LOVE LIVING LIFE. I AM HAPPY."

One Dollar Day 20th October




Some children in the world have so much, while so many have so very little.

  • 8 million children die every year from preventable diseases.
  • 67 million school-aged children are not in school.
But in a single day we could begin to turn these statistics and inequities around.
1$day – when we ask everyone who can, to give $1 for those who can’t.

Please visit the link above and give $1 and please pass on the message.

Chris Jordan The Midway Project


This is the reality of our use of plastic and 
the irresponsible discard of it
and the impact it has everywhere & 
in the furthest reaches of the world.

To find out more about Chris Jordans photography work please visit


Rise Above Plastics




The Wayseerers Manifesto



ATTENTION: All you rule-breakers, you misfits and troublemakers - all you free spirits and pioneers - all you visionaries and non-conformists ...
    Everything that the establishment has told you is wrong with you
    - is actually what's right with you.
    You see things others don’t. You are hardwired to change the world. Unlike 9 out of 10 people - your mind is irrepressible - and this threatens authority. You were born to be a revolutionary.
    You can’t stand rules because in your heart you know there’s a better way.
    You have strengths dangerous to the establishment - and it wants them eliminated, So your whole life you’ve been told your strengths were weaknesses - Now I’m telling you otherwise.
    Your impulsivity is a gift - impulses are your key to the miraculous,
    Your distractibility - is an artifact of your inspired creativity,
    Your mood swings - reflect the natural pulse of life, they give you unstoppable energy when you’re high and deep soulful insight when you’re low,
Been diagnosed with a "disorder”? That’s society’s latest way to deny it’s own illness by pointing the finger at you. Your addictive personality is just a symptom of your vast underused capacity for heroic, creative expression and spiritual connection. your utter lack of repression, your wide eyed idealism, your unmitigated open mind - didn’t anyone ever tell you?! these are the traits shared by the greatest pioneers and visionaries and innovators, revolutionaries, procrastinators and drama queens, activists on the social scene, space cadets and mavericks, philosophers and derelicts, business suits flying fighter jets, football stars and sex addicts, celebrities with ADD, alcoholics who seek novelty, first responders - prophets and saints, mystics and change agents.

Jesse Reno - selftaught raw art outside the establishment.



Symbols - More than a hundred times this year I have found understanding 
through seemingly random shapes, colors, and markings. 
I find myself writing words before I understand their meaning, 
trusting I will be wise enough to understand them in time.
 Magic does not reveal itself easily. 

When trying to see the future our eyes must be given time to adjust.
 To find our true purpose we must ask many questions of ourselves. 
We must observe ourselves without judgment. 
We must allow ourselves to become ourselves. 
Preconceived plans lead to preconceived outcomes. 
To find something new we must move without bounds. 
There are no hard questions for truth.

Jesse Reno

Thursday 6 October 2011

Where is the Outrage?


This year 3,575,000 will die from water related diseases. 
40% from diarrhea, 84% will be children...
98% will live in the developing world. 
That's a tsunami twice a month, 
5 hurricane Katrinas everyday, 
a world trade centre every 4 hours...
Were are the headlines? 
WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE??? 
this is preventable!!!

Please visit these NGO'S doing amazing work 
and see how you can help...