The world is big. Why just becoming a chicken farmer?

The world is asking for more education. Wherever you go, the call for more, for a better education is obvious. Be it in the developed or in the developing world. But what often is underestimated is that we do not need just education, but diversity of education for ensuring economic growth and change making people….

Change the world – on the streets working with kids

During the Ashoka changemaker week in Paris last week there was one particular social entrepreneur that still remains in my mind. He gave a short intro during one speaker session. His name is Arnoud Raskin, Founder of Mobile Schools and Streetwize. Mobile Schools develops innovative education programs that enhance the qualities of resourcefulness that underprivileged…

Change the world: Give women a mobile!

Empowering women and helping them to improve their condition can lead to enormous social progress. Often women start their own business if they get an opportunity, e.g. via a micro credit. I have met some of them and it is astonishing to see how this changed their lives: they invest in activities that ensure a…

Video of the month – Dignity for all

Education is the key for a better health and a better life. That’s what really brings change in a sustainable way. One impressive example on how this can be set up, is demonstrated by Molly Melchior. Molly Melching is founder and executive director of Tostan, an organization that seeks to achieve sustainable development and social…

Social change? Culture is the key to people’s heart

It’s culture that often is underestimated when plans are made how to offer a better education, how to change economic crisis and critical social behavior. But culture is often the key to people’s heart. An example is the music school in India. Music lessons, normally not accessible to the average and poor population, are the…

Mobile learning in Africa – more networking needed

Staying last week at the Vision Summit I learnt some more details about mobile learning initiatives in Africa in the education sector. Mobile communication is for certain one of the best and rather easily affordable ways to reach also people suffering from poor infrastructure in rural areas. The examples shown were impressive, the level of…

Children books and Social change – help needed

There has been written so much about education as a key element to social change. And probably there are only a few things in the world that are that true. When I came across this chart I was really surprised how many children books lack of diversity. On the other side I know some people…

Why we should think about closing our high schools

I am one of those who liked going to school. At least most of all the 13 years I spent there. But with the distance of more than 25 years and looking back to what I really needed and what I missed for being prepared for life I am not so sure any more that…