How to Change the World

We all want the world to be a better place, but most of us have different ideas of what "better" means and how to make it happen.

To solve this problem peacefully and effectively, we need to focus on the ideation process. Ideas are a dime a dozen, but good ideas should be feasible to execute and beneficial to all impacted. Surveying the community, securing resources, and understanding the constituents are all part of the process of asset mapping which leads to good ideas.

This week, six international teams from the Local Actions for Global Goals Buddies Without Borders Online Forum started the process of brainstorming what they need to consider in order to create good ideas - ideas that are feasible for high school students to implement, most beneficial to their home communities, and best aligned with their common global goals.

Each team has now presented a SWOT analysis of their global goals in the context of their local community. Through this exercise, each team also learned about the SWOT of their own international teammates. Every student has a chance to give and receive feedback beyond their own team to broaden their worldview.

Team the Ark has chosen "Sustainable Lifestyle" as their global goal. The specific local actions will be proposed in four countries: in Turkey by Mani Mosali (Vali Maummer Guler Social Science High School), in the USA by Aubrey Guillaume (the Walker School), in Spain by Maya Rex Giménez (Los Sauces European School) and in India by Saihibb Kaura (Strawberry Field High School).

Team Future Forward has chosen "Peace & Justice" as their global goal. The specific actions will be proposed in four countries: in Palestine by Tala Salameh (Ramallah Friends School), in Texas, USA by Sreevanth Pasham (Leander High School), in Germany by Marlene Ylvie Gisela Kobudzinski (Goetheschule) and in Georgia, USA by Het Gohil (Brookwood High School).

Team Voices for Change has chosen "Peace & Justice" as their global goal. The specific local actions will be proposed in three countries: in Palestine by Sama Salameh (Ramallah Friends School), in the USA by Sahethi Shiva Ratnapu (BASIS), and in Spain by Ana Beatriz Dulce Moreira Campos (SEK International School).

Me and My Team has chosen "Peace & Justice" as their global goal. The specific local actions will be proposed in four countries: in Japan by Riko Hashimoto (Shonan Shirayuri Gakuen), in Jordan by Hanna Sakkab (Amman National School), in Indonesia by Madeleine Nicole Yotoho (British School Jakarta) and in the USA by Natasha Campos (the Walker School).

Team ZLDS: Peace Makers has chosen "Peace & Justice" as their global goal. The specific local actions will be proposed in four countries: in Turkey by Zeynep Fatmanur Kaya (Muammer Guler Social Sciences High School), in Japan by Lino Hayasaka (Shonan Shirayuri Gakuen), in Cyprus by Darcy Jordan (American International School) and in India by Shareen Cerina Chauhan (Strawberry Fields High School).

Team B6 (team name to come) has chosen "Peace & Justice" as their global goal. The specific local actions will be proposed in three countries: in Ghana by Ebenezer Kobina Baiden (Tema International School), in New Zealand by Krisha Karippail (Green Bay High School), and in the USA by Smeda Sriram (Innovation Academy).

As Deepak Chopra said, "The world is a reflection of who we are inside." To change the world, we must change ourselves. To change ourselves, we must be open to the world. Please join us in congratulating all the forum students who have opened their eyes and hearts to the world.