We all know how easy it can be to forget about the suffering of others–especially when it takes place a half a world away, and the majority of what you do hear is negative and depressing. As the weeks roll by, and we find ourselves removed from these tragedies by time and space, it is important that we do not forget about these disasters and the ongoing relief efforts. It is also important to remember that there are usually more stories of success and hope emerging from these situations than we are likely to hear from traditional news sources.

On that note, we have compiled a short list of success stories from both of these regions, to keep these people in our minds and hearts, and inspire us to get involved personally if we haven’t already done so. Read the rest of this entry »

Bobby Shriver and Bono launch (PRODUCT)RED: Motorola phone.
photo | Daniel Berehulak/Getty ImagesIssue 02 | Cooperation
Writer: Liz Werner

For decades the business world has been summed up by the simple phrase, “It’s a jungle out there.” One doesn’t need an MBA degree to understand the truth of this old adage. However, instead of seeing a cut-throat, bottomline motivation for the almighty dollar, we should all rub our eyes and adjust our vision for something new. (PRODUCT)RED combines innovation with a profound sense of humanity into a business brand that is not only making money, but is also committed to fight AIDS in Africa.

(PRODUCT)RED, more commonly referred to as (RED), is the creation of Bono, lead singer of U2, and Bobby Shriver, chairman of Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa (DATA). The two co-founded (RED) to engage businesses and consumers in the fight against AIDS in Africa. Companies who have become partners designate certain items as (RED) products. They then direct a portion of the profits from those products to the Global Fund, which invests the money into AIDS programs in Africa. Read the rest of this entry »

Issue 01 | Dialogue
Interviewer: Matthew Pritchard
Photographs: The Carter Center

former us president jimmy carter in southern ethiopia in 1997. photo | robert grossman/the carter center

President Carter, what initially inspired you to become involved in humanitarian issues?

When I became a state senator, then later governor and ultimately president, I realized that all public officials have a great responsibility and duty to analyze the needs of the people that they have been elected to serve. When I was a state senator, we were still in the midst of 100 years of racial segregation in this country, based on the fact that we were supposed to have separate but equal facilities. I saw in my own early life the need for equality of treatment between black and white American citizens; that was the first introduction I had to alleviating suffering and discrimination and giving people some hope that their lives would be equal to others as citizens of this country. Read the rest of this entry »

photo | Duscan

I chose my coffee table for my subject because my day starts and finishes with that table. That is because I usually fall asleep on it. Then I get my strong coffee without sugar and enjoy the view from my balcony. -Duscan

To promote intercultural exchange, Briget Ganske, a co-founder of MCMP, brought the program halfway around the world to Niš, Serbia. Facing an economic recession, the citizens of Niš suffer from incredibly high unemployment rates. As Serbia moves to participate in the global economy, the need for English language training and skill building is growing. Even though teenagers in Niš have exposure to English through pop culture, they rarely have the opportunity to practice conversing with native English speakers. They are accustomed to their school’s lecture-based classes in science, math and history with no opportunity to be involved in creative arts. Read the rest of this entry »

Issue 04 | KIDS
Writer: Aditi Naik in cooperation with: Briget Ganske
Photographers: Thomas Lee & Students

elvis (foreground) and danyamara (in orange) photograph their surroundings during a walking tour of harlem. photo | courtesy of mentor thomas lee
“The goal was to prepare urban youth to be global citizens, to show them that they can make an impact, that they have a story to tell. The idea was to teach awareness about their own community as the beginning stage of an intercultural exchange.” —francine frazier wallace co-founder, my community, my perspective
Educators now realize that a good high school education reaches beyond reading, writing and arithmetic. Opportunities for creative expression are needed in order for students to flourish in and out of school. A study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles demonstrates that students of low socioeconomic status are less likely to graduate from high school than their more privileged peers. However, students of disadvantaged backgrounds benefit from involvement with the arts since this improves graduation rates and their chances of higher education and future employment. Whether they paint, draw, sing or dance, students who participate in some form of arts education are more likely to succeed in their adult lives. Read the rest of this entry »