Tag / Environmental Action

by Champions for Change

Overcoming “The People Problem” Empowering Youth to Pitch Big Ideas using the GPS Model.

At SynergyScape Solutions we empower young people to pitch their big ideas through a structured approach created by Chris Fenning known as the GPS model—Goal, Problem, Solution. This method not only sharpens their focus but also enhances their ability to communicate effectively and persuasively.

Goal: Overcoming Ourselves

They start their pitch with the GPS sentence:

“We will <insert your Goal> by overcoming <insert your problem> using <insert your solution>.”

This sentence structure helps clarify the objective and sets the stage for addressing the challenges and presenting their innovative solutions. See list of examples at the bottom of this post

Problem: People Are the Problem

Invariably, the most significant problem we all must overcome is ourselves.

People are the problem. We all have biases, life experiences, political alliances, and a host of other factors that can hinder progress and innovation.

These human elements often create barriers to getting things done, whether in the realm of business, social initiatives, or personal goals.

Solution: Navigating Through Biases and Barriers

Our solution focuses on helping young people recognise and navigate through these biases and barriers. By acknowledging these challenges, they can develop strategies to address them effectively. We teach them to identify the root causes of resistance, whether it’s within themselves or others, and to find ways to build bridges and foster collaboration.

Through the GPS model, we equip young people with the tools to pitch their ideas with clarity and confidence. They learn to set clear goals, understand and articulate the problems they face, and present well-thought-out solutions that consider the complexities of human nature. This approach not only enhances their pitching skills but also prepares them to be empathetic, strategic, and effective leaders in their future endeavours.

Overcoming personal and interpersonal challenges is key to turning big ideas into reality. By using the GPS model, we help young people navigate these obstacles and drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond.

Here are some examples of GPS sentences for students:

  • We will get better at group projects by overcoming our fear of speaking up using regular team check-ins and honest discussions.
  • We will make our class presentations more interesting by overcoming our nervousness through lots of practice and friendly feedback.
  • We will improve our grades by overcoming procrastination using a study schedule and turning off distractions like our phones.
  • We will work better together by overcoming our different opinions using open conversations and finding common goals.
  • We will make our school events more fun by overcoming our lack of ideas through brainstorming sessions and getting input from everyone.
  • We will stay focused in class by overcoming boredom using interactive activities and group work.
  • We will handle stress better by overcoming our worries using mindfulness exercises and talking about our feelings with friends.
  • We will boost our confidence by overcoming self-doubt through positive self-talk and setting small, achievable goals.
  • We will improve our sports team by overcoming lack of teamwork using team-building exercises and encouraging each other.
  • We will be more creative in our projects by overcoming the fear of making mistakes through trying new things and learning from them.

#StudentLeadership #PitchIdeas #GPSModel #OvercomingBarriers #YouthEmpowerment #EnvironmentalAction #SocialJustice #HealthyLiving #TechInnovation #CommunityService #PersonalDevelopment #CreativeArts #InclusiveEducation

 

by Champions for Change

Why YOU Can Change the World! 🌍💡Young Voices as Catalysts for Change

In today’s fast-paced world, where natural disasters and environmental challenges loom large, the power of young voices has never been more crucial. This blog post dives into the unique position young people hold in driving societal changes, particularly in their families and communities.

Why Young People Are Key to Driving Change

Young people are not just tomorrow’s leaders; they are today’s change-makers. Their ability to influence family decisions and broader societal norms is a potent force for good. From advocating for sustainable practices to preparing for natural disasters, the energy, creativity, and passion of the younger generation are vital in shaping a resilient future.

Reflection Exercise: Understanding Your Impact

Imagine the difference you can make in your community and family regarding natural disaster preparedness. Reflect on times when your ideas or actions influenced your family’s decisions. It’s about realizing your potential to advocate for change and the significant impact your voice can make.

How You Can Influence Change

  • Influence on Parents: Introduce new ideas and perspectives at home, influencing family discussions and decisions.
  • Effective Communication: Use your access to information to share knowledge about important issues, like natural disasters, effectively.
  • Emotional Connection: Your genuine concern for the future can inspire your family to support causes important to you.

Harnessing the Power of Youth for a Better Tomorrow

You have the power to be a catalyst for change. Whether it’s through leading a recycling initiative, educating your family about emergency preparedness, or simply choosing to be more mindful about your environmental footprint, your actions matter. Let’s embrace our roles as young advocates for a better, more resilient world.

For more resources and ideas on how to drive change, check out these links:

  1. Disaster Preparedness for Families:
  2. Young People’s Guide to Climate Action:
    • UNICEF Youth provides a comprehensive Guide to Climate Action for young people. It explains key concepts like global warming and climate change, and offers tools for making progress towards global climate action goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. You can explore it here: UNICEF Youth Guide to Climate Action2.
  3. Ideas for Young Environmental Champions:

Feel free to explore these resources and take action for positive change! 🌍🌱

#YouthPower, #ChangeMakers, #NaturalDisasterAwareness, #FamilyInfluence, #YouthAdvocacy, #EnvironmentalAction, #CommunityImpact

🌱 Let’s transform our world, one action at a time. Because when young people speak up, the world listens.

 

by Champions for Change

Can Kids Change the World? Yes, They Can! 🌍💪

In today’s post we offer support for educators to empower young minds to tackle natural disasters.

In a world where natural disasters seem ever more frequent and severe, it’s easy to feel powerless. But history tells us a different story—a story where even the smallest voices can make the loudest echoes. Let’s dive into how young changemakers can spearhead initiatives for natural disaster preparedness and resilience.

Youth Power: Changing the Climate of Opinion 🌱☀️

Remember the Slip, Slop, Slap campaign?

 

Or how a single voice like Greta Thunberg’s can rally millions for climate action? These examples show us the power of youth-led campaigns in bringing about tangible changes.

 

The Blueprint for Action 📝🌈

Through engaging activities, students can explore how they too can become agents of change. By studying successful campaigns, students learn the ingredients for impactful action: passion, persistence, and the power of a united community.

Sparking Ideas, Igniting Action 🔥🚀

Embrace the journey of empowering young minds to tackle the challenges of natural disasters. By understanding the past and present, we inspire a generation of innovators ready to shape a sustainable future.

Here are some examples of successful youth led initiatives

  1. Youth Influencing Climate Action: This initiative showcases youth-led initiatives driving real solutions for a sustainable future. Young people are becoming catalysts for change in the face of enormous climate change issues. They are at the forefront of building a sustainable future with cutting-edge technology and circular economic models1.
  2. Youth Climate Action Challenge: This program is part of the Global Shapers Community, a network of activists who are leading initiatives in their communities to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals2.
  3. COPE: This initiative focuses on helping children and youth prepare for disasters. It aims to discuss complex topics like climate change with children and explain the recent increase of heat waves, the rise of wildfires, or the melting of the polar ice caps3.
  4. SEED: Australia’s first Indigenous youth ­led climate network. Seed are building a movement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people for climate justice with a vision for a just and sustainable future with strong cultures and communities, powered by renewable energy.

These campaigns are empowering young minds to tackle the challenges of natural disasters and climate change, inspiring them to shape a sustainable future. They are harnessing the strength of youth to promote climate action and protect the environment1.

Here are some more successful campaigns that students can study to understand the ingredients for impactful action:

  1. #Home2V8te: Student unions in the UK contributed to the campaign to legalize abortion in Ireland by offering financial support to students so they could travel home to vote1.
  2. Saving Bursaries: This campaign originated at Bristol University where students spoke out against plans to cut bursaries that helped students fund their studies. The campaign spread nationwide and resulted in bursaries being increased1.
  3. Period Poverty: Undergraduate student Rosy Candlin founded the organization Every Month, which donates 250 menstrual packs a month to food banks, aiming to end period poverty1.
  4. Going Green: Students around the world are campaigning to reduce their universities’ environmental impact. In the US, the 100 Percent Renewable Campuses campaign has had great results, encouraging Cornell and Boston University to buy energy from renewable sources1.

These campaigns demonstrate the power of passion, persistence, and a united community in driving change. By studying these examples, students can gain insights into how to plan and execute their own successful campaigns.

Tools for the Journey 🛠️🌟

  • National Geographic’s Guide to Natural Disasters: Learn about natural disasters and how they affect our world. Explore here
  • Australian Emergency Management Knowledge Hub: A treasure trove of resources on managing disasters. Discover more

Let’s Make a Difference Together 🤝💖

Remember, every big change starts with a small step. By equipping our young learners with the knowledge and tools to tackle these issues, we’re paving the way for a safer, more resilient future.

#YouthInAction, #DisasterPreparedness, #Changemakers, #FutureLeaders