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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/9/2008
Posts: 9
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This world is hurting. Millions of people are living in poverty- afftected by diseases.. just wondering how this generation feels about it. world issues is a passion of mine, and when people ignore what's going on in today's world its very discouraging.
How do you get involved and make a difference??
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Rank: Student Body President
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 1,396
Location: Wilfrid Laurier University
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The world is better off than it's ever been. A lot of the efforts people are attempting in 3rd world countries are either doing nothing or hurting the country even more.
-Stringer
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/9/2008
Posts: 9
Location: vancouver
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Start by helping your own community. I know here in Vancouver we have a place called Covenant House and some of us from high school went there to help. This place has youths from the street and guidance counselors try to get them by getting a job and being independent.
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Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/24/2008
Posts: 233
Location: mississauga
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don't be a spammer, but make a point. Post major events in your area, tell everyone about it, put flyers up in ur school, join an ngo, or start one up if you can't find one that seems to represent what you want to do.
There are many organizations to help out in industrializing nations in various fields, like not just the big doctors/engineers without borders, but i know there's one for psychiatrists/psychologists, therapists, physiotherapists, and like other ones for non-health related jobs, like construction. If your'e more of an arts person, you can make art about the subject, or if your'e into writing, you can write speeches, presentations about the subject, start up a website. On a day to day basis, there's simple click'n'donate sites like care2 and the hunger site, as well as petition websites. There are many organizations everywhere for different courses, and many of them overlap, even though they are quite specific. For example, global warming hurts the global economy, and makes it harder for farmers in dry regions to get any yield. therefore, fighting global warming fights poverty. get it?
and Actually, the world is not "better off than it's ever been", Africa was not in nearly as much debt/trouble until colonialism came around. It used to be a prosperous, or at least independent continent. Globalization is making the poorest regions even poorer, but this time, it's corporate colonialism and corporations don't have to wrory about "not being elected".
Just do your homework and don't be ignorant and blindly sign onto the wrong side or wrong approach to an issue. the number one issue with most international aid organizations is that they don't ask what the locals need, they tell them what they need, so make sure you research research research!
"My parents live in Ohio; I live in the moment." -himym.
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/11/2008
Posts: 11
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I think one of the best things we can do is help our local areas. We often don't even relize how many people are starving in our own neighbourhoods just down the street. If you act in a small area you can make a big difference.
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/14/2008
Posts: 7
Location: calgary
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i completely believe that this world really needs a bit of helping but hte thing is that self suffecient are completely happy with themselves and the third world countries are just getting more corrupted and eaten up of their resources by thier rulers.
the only thing we could do is combine as a organization or just a group and end is raise voice against it.
just look at the discrimation issues even in our own country even if we just raise voice against that and not be scared of consequences i hope we can make a difference.
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/13/2008
Posts: 17
Location: Mississauga
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In order to help the world, you need to start out in you're own community. There are many little things people overlook that people may need help with in the community. In Mississauga; E.g. Homeless Shelters, Womens Shelters, Youth Shelters [ all need supportt and funding]; Food Banks, etc. Although; one thing that I have actively gotten involved with in my community is helping an organization called "Inside the Dream." It helps girls and gents both in Grade 8 and 12 afford Grad/Prom. Trust me, I was disgusted that grade 8 kids miss their grad b/c they cannot afford it. Therefore, this organization helps make that milestone and transition easier for them. and yet, it is completley annonymous. I almost missed my Grade 8 Grad, but thankfully the community helped me. Now, I'm trying to make that happen with others around the GTA  . Its a lot of fun.
[[Anna / Cookie ]] GO GENS GO!!!!
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/8/2008
Posts: 6
Location: saskatchewan
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there's far too much apathy among young people these days. we've become incredibly selfish and lazy, and we feel so disconnected from the majority of the world that is suffering and living in poverty. i think a first step is to raise awareness of the issues. we need to talk about the reality of what's going on in the world and not pretend it doesn't exist. the more people talk about these issues, the more pressure there will be on everyone to contribute and help in some way.
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Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/24/2008
Posts: 233
Location: mississauga
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Sorry, this is totally late, but imtiaz, FULLY AGREED.
I hate how so many people in our generation are so ready to complacently listen to older people who tell them that thereès only so much that u can do, and everyone that just basically knows but doesn't care that there are starving children in africa (it's become a sick joke), but really, we're dying from cancer from everywhere anyways, and the world is gonna dry up from global warming and all teh gay whales are gonna be nuked so why bother?
I can't stand people who can't own up to the reality that the past generations have SCREWED US OVER, and can't understand that we shouldn't listen to their attitudes cuz it sure as hell didn't do us any good. I also can't stand people who think that there's so many causes out there that it's pointless to even try, so they buy their tim hortons coffee, wear their nike shoes, but feel good about themselves because they're wearing a inspiRED gap tshirt, that's still being made by a 12 year old. it's disgusting, and the lack of transparency is terrible, but the lack of concern in the public about this is even more terrible.
"My parents live in Ohio; I live in the moment." -himym.
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Rank: Valedictorian
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/7/2008
Posts: 520
Location: toronto
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Stringer wrote:The world is better off than it's ever been. A lot of the efforts people are attempting in 3rd world countries are either doing nothing or hurting the country even more. ... at least he's consistent....
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Rank: Valedictorian
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/7/2008
Posts: 520
Location: toronto
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If you want to help the world, I mean if you actually looking to start something, you have to be infinintely dedicated. You will need to start in your community (because you obviously won't get support if you pop out of nowhere and say "I'm going to save africa"). You need to consider what you're planning to contribute on a larger scale, and make your initiative in the community follow along the same lines. Then, as you grow it, you will build contacts etc. and a name. The media will be your best friend. Slowly, increase goals, and increase the effort, and grow and grow and grow.
No offense to anyone on here (and this includes me to some degree) but sitting here and discussing it, unless you;re doing it, is totally pointless.
Come up with a CRAZY idea about something you're gonna fix, and how ur gonna fix it, and go for it.
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Rank: Valedictorian
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/7/2008
Posts: 520
Location: toronto
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If you mean one of the girls, let her be, she want's to make a difference, and she can, I know.
If you mean me, ur an idiot.
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Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/12/2008
Posts: 123
Location: Owen Sound
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Stringer wrote:The world is better off than it's ever been. A lot of the efforts people are attempting in 3rd world countries are either doing nothing or hurting the country even more. I agree, except for the first part. It is only better for the already 'well off'/'elites'. The poor in the work are continuing to get poorer. Oh, and 2012-2012-2012! I'm waiting for that year to confirm all the 'wacky' conspiracy theories. New World Order for teh win. ...  I'll be trying to make a difference by being in a solid networking 'place' to help national policy help more people. I'm thinking that if it will be possible, after getting my BA to go to Europe for my Masters and to live there (perhaps working for governmental/educational institutions) .
~~~Accepted offer to Ba Honors English @ Carleton Univerity, Ottawa  ~~~
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Rank: Student Body President
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 1,396
Location: Wilfrid Laurier University
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SwobyJ wrote:Stringer wrote:The world is better off than it's ever been. A lot of the efforts people are attempting in 3rd world countries are either doing nothing or hurting the country even more. I agree, except for the first part. It is only better for the already 'well off'/'elites'. The poor in the work are continuing to get poorer. Oh, and 2012-2012-2012! I'm waiting for that year to confirm all the 'wacky' conspiracy theories. New World Order for teh win. ... I'll be trying to make a difference by being in a solid networking 'place' to help national policy help more people. I'm thinking that if it will be possible, after getting my BA to go to Europe for my Masters and to live there (perhaps working for governmental/educational institutions) . Poor are getting poorer? No. Maybe the gap is increasing between the rich and poor, but the poor are still better off than they've ever been.
-Stringer
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Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/12/2008
Posts: 123
Location: Owen Sound
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Sorry, I should have said 'relatively' poorer compared to the rich. My mistake!
~~~Accepted offer to Ba Honors English @ Carleton Univerity, Ottawa ~~~
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Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/24/2008
Posts: 233
Location: mississauga
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Stringer wrote:
Poor are getting poorer? No. Maybe the gap is increasing between the rich and poor, but the poor are still better off than they've ever been.
Um, no, they are getting poorer....
"My parents live in Ohio; I live in the moment." -himym.
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Rank: Student Body President
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 1,396
Location: Wilfrid Laurier University
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Miss wrote:Stringer wrote:
Poor are getting poorer? No. Maybe the gap is increasing between the rich and poor, but the poor are still better off than they've ever been.
Um, no, they are getting poorer.... According to who?
-Stringer
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Rank: Valedictorian
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/7/2008
Posts: 520
Location: toronto
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SwobyJ wrote:Oh, and 2012-2012-2012! I'm waiting for that year to confirm all the 'wacky' conspiracy theories. New World Order for teh win. ... I'm confused, doesn't this happen most years? eg... 2013-2013-2013?... whats the big real?
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/20/2008
Posts: 27
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Quote:Um, no, they are getting poorer.... I'm not sure about other countries, but poor people in Canada are actually catching up to wealthier people. Quote:... The rich didn't get richer in 2006, but the poor did, putting a halt -- at least temporarily -- to a widening income gap in Canada.
As a result of strong economic growth and gains in employment, pre-tax family incomes rose by 2.1% after inflation, Statistics Canada reported Monday. And thanks to increases in government transfers, after-tax incomes also rose by 2.1%.
...
"After-tax income improved for families in all five income groups, except for those at the top, where it remained stable," the agency said.
The one-fifth of families with the lowest income had an average after-tax income of $24,600, up 5.6% after inflation, while the 20% with the highest incomes was virtually unchanged at $133,900.
... http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=494100
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/20/2008
Posts: 27
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Quote:I'm confused, doesn't this happen most years? eg... 2013-2013-2013?... whats the big real? Quote:According to their calendar, the Maya believed that their world would end on Dec 21, 2012. Of all the dates put forth by prophets and cultures for a doomsday, this is one with an authentic almost eerie feel to it. But what will happen? A global cataclysm is one possibility. Presented here is enough information to help you decide - be you an expert or a beginner. http://www.survive2012.com/
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