Beyond Borders: My Role as a Global Citizen

By: Caroline

Caroline is participating in Allowance for Good's autumn 2013 Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy program. 

Last week's session on global citizenship was really inspiring. Before the class, I really didn't see myself as a "global citizen"---I saw myself as an seventeen-year-old American girl. I knew that as an American (as with any ethnicity or culture), I tended to focus on the problems that were evident in the US or, at the very most, world problems that affected the US. It's a very narrow-minded approach especially in this day and age, where one event can spark a change around the world. But in another sense, it seemed the typical response from any person as most people are more concerned with how things will affect them and not the world in general. 

However, during class, we discussed our obligations as global citizens. That whether we want to accept it or not, we affect others all over the world by our actions, and it's our job to be socially aware of that. For example, when we toss out our extra food after a meal, it affects people in an area where hunger might be an issue. Instead of wasting that food, it could have been donated to families that could really benefit from having that food in their home. Which brings me to my next point: as global citizens, we also have an obligation to give back to others because there are others who give something to us whether that's their time, money, etc. We are a part of a larger context, not just one country, state, city---we are a part of huge community, and it's our job to help one another in that community. 

One example of how I am a global citizen that I didn't recognize before the class is that I volunteer at a fair trade store in Evanston called Ten Thousand Villages. The idea is that artisans in developing countries who can't make a decent living in their own country are able to sell their crafts through Ten Thousand Villages. TTV is then able to take the money made from these crafts and send it back to those families. It's amazing because it really provides families with financial security, which they otherwise would not be able to find if they continued to try to sell their crafts only within their community. The other neat thing about TTV is that even if all crafts are not sold, those families are still paid in full. I volunteer at TTV to help promote awareness of fair trade and to help assist customers. So as I global citizen, I am able to give back to many families so that they don't have to worry that they won't be able to take care of themselves financially. I know that in another country, I am putting a smile on someone's face and money in their pocket. Volunteering has been a moving experience also because I realize that I have the resources to help make the world a better place. I know that not everyone is in the same position I am to help others, but because I am, I want to take advantage of that as much as possible. 

Hope: GPS 2013

On Monday, June 24th, 2013, Allowance for Good launched its second annual Global Philanthropy Summit, which brings together a catalytic group of youth for intensive gatherings to advance personal understanding in and encourage collective action toward global education equity.

Anisa reflects on the entire GPS experience.

My experience with AfG this week was absolutely amazing. I learned so much about different organizations, what a philanthropist is, and overall I learned how to make a difference in the world. It was really fun to go meet different organizations and hear their stories about what they are trying to accomplish. The best part was giving back to the HOPE School Children in Zambia, raising money and collecting dental hygiene supplies etc. This program does really make you look differently at what you have and what others don't have, and how you have the power to change that. After being at this program, it really makes me want to get more involved and I would totally recommend everyone to do the same because it's life changing, not just for those you're helping, but for yourself as well.

Every Action Counts: GPS 2013

On Monday, June 24th, 2013, Allowance for Good launched its second annual Global Philanthropy Summit, which brings together a catalytic group of youth for intensive gatherings to advance personal understanding in and encourage collective action toward global education equity.

Denzel reflects on Day 4 of GPS, during which we conducted our Global Service Project, Giving Circle, and Closing Ceremony.

Saying "goodbye" can be super hard and many of us had to say our best wishes and farewells to the strong, fun relationships we've built as the Global Philanthropy Summit comes to an end. Fortunately, we can all rest assured that whenever we meet again, we'll be even much more beautiful people and great philanthropists.

Today, we raised awareness about Allowance for Good's Global Affiliates. Promoting these organizations was a very humbling experience since people would often choose to just pass us by on the streets. However, a lot of people gave time to listen and donate. We genuinely felt great about ourselves in standing up to make a change in someone's life. Every action counts. In total, we'd raised enough funds to help support our Global Affiliates, Adonai and SparkVentures. At our Giving Circle, we decided that the $160 we raised should go towards SparkVentures to help with the prevention of cavities, along with dental supplies we had collected. Additionally, we decided to distribute $1,000 towards helping fund a Water Tower project with Adonai, since water is very essential to life.

Later, our closing ceremony was quite inspirational and motivational. We all had a voice to speak about how we felt and how it feels to be global citizens. 

To conclude, I thank Elizabeth and all the staff, who helped in the creation of the Summit. I would highly recommend kids to participate in programs that help raise awareness for change and being a philanthropist. I'd never forget that we, as global citizens, can always give of our Time, Talent, and Treasure.

Ripple Effects: GPS 2013

On Monday, June 24th, 2013, Allowance for Good launched its second annual Global Philanthropy Summit, which brings together a catalytic group of youth for intensive gatherings to advance personal understanding in and encourage collective action toward global education equity.

Nina reflects on Day 3 of GPS, during which we heard from Chicago Community Trust, Spark Ventures, and izzy+.

How can we spread our ripple effect? This is a question that was introduced to our Global Philanthropy Summit group today. As a part of our third day for Allowance for Good’s Global Philanthropy Summit, we went to downtown Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, where we met with representatives from izzy+, SparkVentures (one of Allowance for Good’s Global Affiliates with partners in  Zambia), and the Chicago Community Trust. During this time, we were given the opportunity to discuss our individual and group service projects as well.

There are several things that I took away from today. One thing that especially stood out to me was a question that was posed by Mr. Jim Lewis of the Chicago Community Trust: How do you choose which organizations to give out grants to? He eventually led our group into a very insightful discussion about morality, using several thought-provoking situations that helped us understand their reasoning for choosing certain organizations over others. Another speaker, Jill Horning of izzy+, talked to us about her experiences as a part of  a trip to Nicaragua, and how she and other designers made supplies boxes for the teachers of one school and helped design an entryway for another. This was a great example of how, even if we are not associated with a specific nonprofit organization, we can still make a difference. Ms. Horning elaborated on the fact that izzy+ focused on its people instead of making the company purely about furniture, and I found this fact to be very inspiring. It is very interesting to see how all of these different companies can find ways to give back to their communities and make an impact.

After our speakers, we had the chance to start brainstorming ideas as to how we were going to spread our own ripple effects through a project that would raise awareness and money for Allowance for Good. We also had time to talk about our group service project, which will be executed on our last day of GPS. All in all, I found today’s experiences to be very rewarding, and I am glad that we have the opportunity to learn how to make a difference and be a global citizen as a part of Allowance for Good.

Something to Talk About: GPS 2013

On Monday, June 24th, 2013, Allowance for Good launched its second annual Global Philanthropy Summit, which brings together a catalytic group of youth for intensive gatherings to advance personal understanding in and encourage collective action toward global education equity.

Zoe reflects on Day 2 of GPS, during which we heard from Crossroads Advisors, Crown Family Philanthropies, and Google.

Sometimes life decides to hit you over the head with a big foam bat. Today traveling down Wacker drive, I had a small epiphany on a big idea. We’ve been talking a lot about asking “what’s wrong?” and making sure that our services are actually helping and are actually needed. That communication is one of the necessary things for any program to work, whether in Uganda or Louisiana. The idea that there are things people don't need aid with, or that people can actually suffer from the misappropriation of aid is not something I’ve really thought of. I have to admit, and I know its sad, but its not something that's occurred to me before. I don’t like to think that good intentions can go wrong.

When I was in the 6th grade, I organized a coat drive. I knew that the shelter, Connections for the Homeless, needed to increase their amount of winter clothes they could distribute if they wished to provide for the homeless in Evanston. I gathered coats from November till January and gave them to the shelter. This worked because I had close personal connections with the shelter. It doesn’t work nearly as well when the place the donations are going to is a NGO is a developing, third world country. We don’t know what they are doing and can't infer what they need from halfway across the world like we can in our own communities. The biggest idea I’ve gathered, as to working in and with philanthropy, is Communication. Talk about ideas, talk to people, and talk with people. Create a conversation.

Communications is an important part of the world, since more people have a cellphone than access to a toilet. Companies like Google are helping to create ways to open lines of communication and connecting the world. By using their technology and going above and beyond, Google is giving in several key areas both locally and globally. As an internet company Google understands how important communication is in the modern age.

Personally, I really like what Google is doing. They are applying their skills and the skills of their “Googlers” to help the world. They have such an expansive network, and do so much to aid in the creation of communication that I feel they were the real focus today. We have so many opportunities to connect with the world these days, we need to use them. We need to apply our ability to be able to chat with people on another continent to our ideas, and combine it in a way to benefit humanity.