Change the Story, Change the World
"Gaia Education is developing a wonderful series of films. Creating new stories of solutions and learning in community. This, and The Edges film (in English and Spanish below), are powerful examples of implementing new stories." Click here for the Spanish version. Watch video
"Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and the international Plum Village community recognize the importance of creating sustainable and lasting programs in schools that support the happiness and well-being of teachers, administrators, students, and parents. The Wake Up Schools initiative is the manifestation of this aspiration. "Wake Up Schools uses mindfulness, the energy of being aware and awake to what is happening inside and around us in the present moment, to nourish education communities that excel … Watch video
"Instead of pumping time and money into exams, we should focus on wellbeing and encouraging children to connect with the natural world... "There are a few of us whose minds turn to putty under pressure. Exams left me feeling worthless and lacking in confidence. The worse I did in each test, the more pressure I felt to deliver results that never came. When I failed half my A-levels, and was rejected by my university choices, I spiralled into a depression. "The wilderness rescued me. I have been … Continue reading
Bayo Akomolafe speaks about the single story of modernity and its implications for a monoculture of education. He argues for the recognition of diverse forms of learning beyond standardized schooling and for a plurality of educations. Akomolafe is a poet, philosopher, psychologist and a professor at the Covenant University Nigeria. Video by Timo Holthoff, Learn2Change - Global Network of Educational Activists. Watch video
"The depth of indigenous knowledge rooted in the long inhabitation of a particular place offers lessons that can benefit everyone, from educator to scientist, as we search for a more satisfying and sustainable way to live on this planet. "Indigenous peoples throughout the world have sustained their unique worldviews and associated knowledge systems for millennia, even while undergoing major social upheavals as a result of transformative forces beyond their control. Many of the core values, … Continue reading
"In this poignant, funny follow-up to his fabled 2006 talk, Sir Ken Robinson makes the case for a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning — creating conditions where kids' natural talents can flourish." Watch video
"A 15-year-old indigenous change agent, environmental activist, public speaker, eco hip-hop artist, and the Youth Director of Earth Guardians– Xiuhtezcatl is a powerful voice on the front lines of the youth-led climate movement. In 2013 Xiuhtezcatl received the “Youth Change Maker of the Year” award from President Obama. He has spoken on three occasions at the United Nations, recently daring a group of world leaders to do something real about climate change. He shares his thoughts with … Continue reading
"How can we make humanity’s finest sustainability solutions and role models part of daily life for our global young generation – and equip them for action? This is the question at the heart of Eric Schneider’s efforts to design media, methods and services that cultivate a youth leadership culture and changemaking climate among young people at school, globally. "Mr. Schneider facilitated interviews with five amazing young changemakers for Kosmos. We asked them about rites of passage, role … Continue reading
"Last year, amid Afghanistan’s continuing war, the Gawharshad Institute of Higher Education, a private, nonprofit university, conducted a survey of its students’ attitudes toward conflict and violence. The poll was telling: When asked what the students would do when confronted with violent actions or words, 58 percent said they would “take revenge.” And though the results may not be surprising — decades of war have arguably ingrained a belief in revenge — the reason administrators at Gawharshad … Continue reading
South African-born Kosha Joubert shares about the power of building community as an integral, intimate part of new story creation. We do not need our future to be defined by the current mainstream and by the advertising and media that are fed to us. We can design our own pathway to the future. By coming together in community wherever we are, we can support one another's potential, dreams, visions and imaginings. Kosha is President of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) and Executive Director of … Watch video