It all began when at the age of 17 I realized that the old woman sitting on the pavement going through remains of chickens outside a butcher shop in Pakistan was actually looking for something to feed her family with, that the old guard sitting outside a store shivering with cold on a January night was working hard to provide for his family, and that the nanny in a relative’s house was younger than the children she was looking after. Continue
The meaning of volunteerism and citizen activism is being redefined in Brazil. Following broad protests in response to rising public transportation costs and immense spending in preparation for the upcoming World Cup and Olympics, a movement has gained momentum that crosses all social lines. Organized by social media and driven by the youth, some sense that it will be organized into a new political party. To fully appreciate this emerging cultural shift, I spoke with a group of young leaders who are part of an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) entitled Inspiring Youth Leadership, Volunteerism and Citizen Activism.
