Vermont Global Issues Network Summit April 9 th 2012 Vermont State House

1. VermontGlobal Issues NetworkSummit April 9th 2012Vermont State House 1

2. GLOBAL ISSUES NETWORKINITIATIVES • Empowering Students • Student led GIN conferences around the globe • Connectivity via global networks • On the ground student led sustainable projects • Sharing information through online communities and digital media • Developing school curricula to embed GIN into the fabric of the school • Partnerships with NGOs, mentors, universities and other local and international schools 2

3. GIN MISSION: • EMPOWER students to realize their ability to make a difference in collaboration with their peers as they • DEVELOP & IMPLEMENT SUSTAINABLE • solutions for global issues • LOCALLY, REGIONALLY • INTERNATIONALLY. 3

4. HIGH NOON20 GLOBAL PROBLEMS20 YEARS TO SOLVE THEM • Written by Jean Francois Rischard in 2002. • Basic premise: Global Issues Networks created with a goal of sharing information and instituting solutions. 4

5. Jean Francois Rischard • Former Vice President of the World Bank • states two exponential forces are dramatically changing the world and breeding unprecedented complexity 5

6. Our students have been made very aware of these Exponential Forces Endangering the Earth 6

7. World population tripling from 1960 to 9 billion by 2050, putting our small planet and its thin biosphere under great stress. 7

8. The world economy is being driven into “overdrive” taking us to the limits of the planets support capacity. Existing human institutions, social and political, evolve more slowly and will be overwhelmed. 8

9. Rischard’s Recommendations • “I strongly believe that it will take the combination of a new method of global problem solving and a new mindset to get the world to snap out of its paralysis in the face of the dangerous pileup of urgent but unresolved global problems.” • “Schools have a pressing responsibility in this regard to expose the next generations more systematically to these global problems and help them develop the new mindset that is needed --- the “global citizens first” mindset.” 9

10. “… tomorrow’s generations must develop a network oriented mindset if they are going to solve the burning global problems that stare us in the face.” - JFR 10

11. We are creating a new mindset.. • A global perspective that nurtures a responsible empathetic global citizenry. • As responsible global citizens we must have a variety of tools to share our knowledge and sustainable solutions. Beijing 2008 11

12. Luxembourg Washington DC Abu Dhabi Jakarta, Indonesia Lima, Peru Maputo, Mozambique Global Issues Network

13. GIN CONFERENCE 2008 EARTH’S HOPE http://www.earcos.org/gin2008/ 13

14. GIN CONFERENCE 2009 2nd Annual EARCOS Global Issues Network Conference at International School Bangkok, March 20-22, 2009 http://earcosgin.ning.com/ Don’t’ miss the video links! 14

15. First step • Please join our global site • global-issues-network.org • Over 1000 members from 70 countries 15

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17. Share and exchange ideas in the present as a global community that understands our past and can create a sustainable future. 17

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19. Students involved in Global Issues Network can better meet the demands of the 21st Century by combining critical thinking, creativity and innovation to find and share sustainable solutions to address the global problems. 19

20. Issues Currently Being Addressed by GIN Students • Global Warming • Implementing a variety of ways to reduce school’s carbon footprint and seeking offsets-working with 350.org • Poverty • Raise awareness, provide assistance, and micro-finance opportunities • Environmental regeneration • Composting/gardens • Emergence of locavores • abolish the use of plastic 20

21. GLOBAL ISSUES NETWORKOUR VISION • Students realize they can make a difference as empowered “global citizens” working with their peers to develop solutions for global issues. • This potential of a truly international network of students is within our reach, but this vision can only be realized with our continued commitment. 21

22. Upcoming GIN Summit will allow students to • Recognize and nurture the potential and power found in our communities. • Connect and support this network to exchange ideas and support each others efforts. • Tackle global issues and to then present the results of their efforts at future summits • Return “home” with an plan for making our efforts sustainable and to share those plans. • Remain empowered and committed. 22

23. Calculating the Conference Carbon Footprint • offset the conference footprint for two years • 350.org has encouraged us to challenge schools to calculate our footprint and measure it regularly working on actions to lighten the load. 23

24. Student Empowerment is key • Invite interested students to join the GIN “group”. Attracts a range of students. • Begin by recognizing what is already being done in your school. • Students choose a project to be the focal point of the students work • This project will then serve as the focal point for student action. • in the upcoming at the conference 24

25. Student Empowerment • the student is in the role of learner, teacher and change maker • network provides a way to stay in touch with like minded people, synergy and power develop. • resources are shared • recommend reaching out to communities to create shared project and sustainable solutions 25

26. thought to share • As one student so poignantly expressed, “coming together with 300 others who deeply care and want to make a difference is something I am truly looking forward to by attending the conference and being a part of the network.” 26

27. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world.Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.- Margaret Mead 27

28. THE FUTURE.. * These truly “global” networks will continue the sharing of innovative projects and solutions nurturing sustainable change to truly make a difference in our world. 28