Turning global news into positive action...

Global news stories often leave us feeling concerned, but helpless. The events and issues reported can seem a long way away and beyond our control.

But there are positive actions that we can take in response to the news we see, hear and read.

Here are some ideas for positive actions:

Seize power!

• Write a letter to or email someone in a position of power or influence, e.g. a company director, a politician, a local councillor or council officer – anyone in fact who may be able to influence or make a difference to people's lives or change places or situations for the better.
• Discuss with your teachers the possibility of inviting powerful or influential people or an expert on an issue into your school to answer students’ questions, or ask them to take part in a debate.
• Tell the world's most powerful leaders to get their act together! Find out about the Make Poverty History Campaign. Get your School Council involved. Click here for details.
  For fun, visit the Action8 website and give instructions to the G8 - the world's most powewrful leaders - on what they need to do to create a fairer and more just world.
  Sign up to the or take part in the J8 website competition which is providing young people with a chance to tell the worlds most powerful leaders how they can change the world for the better!

Get involved!

• Join charities or campaigning groups that are working on the issues you read about in the news and which are trying to improve the lives of people or change a situation for the better. Some organisations have local groups; your Council or library may be able to provide details.
• Set up your own capmpaign. See the Common Purpose website for ideas on how to plan, organise and run your own campaign.
• Organise a sponsored event to raise money for charities, campaigns or local groups that are helping to improve people’s lives or change a situation for the better.
• Set up a school petition on a particular issue or sign an existing petition. Make sure you are clear about who the petition is aimed at and what it is trying to achieve.

Spread the word!

• Write a letter to the local newspaper telling them about an important global event or issue, particularly if it is likely to affect people locally. Don't forget to ask them to publish it!
• Voice your opinions on global news stories by adding your comments to chat areas such as the Newsround message board or BBC Have Your Say
• Write articles for Children’s Express, the site containing news stories written by young journalists or join the CBBC Newsround Press Pack and write articles for the Newsround website.
• Write a drama or short play on an issue you have read about for an assembly or other event to inform people in an interesting and entertaining way.
• Design a leaflet, poster or website/web pages on an issue you have found out about in the news. Display this to people in the school and local community or promote it via the school website.
• It is always worth contacting the local press, radio or TV and telling them what actions you are taking and why. They may be interested in writing, recording or filming a report on what you are doing!

Lead by example!

• Make changes to your own lifestyle based on what you have found out in the news, for example how and where you spend your money. Let others know why you have made these changes.

More ideas? Please contact Global News with your own ideas for positive actions or examples of actions that you have taken and the results of these actions.

 

...globalnews.org.uk...

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