What is the Global Changemakers project?

Global Changemakers is a powerful global network for action that provides opportunities to share experiences and helps young people make practical and visible differences in their communities, countries and regions.

Global Changemakers are young activists and social entrepreneurs aged between 16 and 25.  The World Economic Forum  (WEF) is a partner of the British Council. Global Changemakers will work with other international forums such as the UN to ensure that the youth voice is heard. To find out more about the Global Changemakers you can visit the website or watch this video about them.

Who are the Global Changemakers?

A Changemaker is a young activist operating through a range of national and international networks, who is able to influence his or her community as well as speak to authority with confidence and passion. Changemakers are not afraid to challenge either accepted ways of thinking or their convictions. Changemakers are forward looking, they take their ideas and put them into practice.

A Changemaker accepts difference, is flexible, is able to take on new ideas and skills and will communicate them to others.

What is happening?

Apply to become a Global Changemaker, attend the Global Changemakers 4th Annual Global Summit on 15-21 November in the UK and have a chance to participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland in January 2010 where you will interact with the leaders who are shaping our world. Click here for more information and to apply (www.global-changemakers.net). The application process opens on 1 August and lasts until 21 August.

What happened before?

In January 2007, more than 2000 world leaders gathered at the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. It was attended by heads of NGOs, socially aware celebrities – and, for the first time, six young people selected by their peers to distil ‘the wisdom of youth’. The focus of the event was education and its role in building understanding between cultures.

We brought together 60 19-25 year olds from 49 countries to debate and propose solutions at an initial meeting in Greenwich.

They chose a team that would represent them at Davos. The selected representatives, who came from Australia, Egypt, Israel, Korea, Mauritius and Switzerland, received an enthusiastic response from Queen Rania, Gordon Brown and many of the participants. They were asked to attend a follow on meeting, ‘Keeping our Promises on Education’ organised by the European Commission, World Bank, bilateral donors and the Global Campaign for Education.

In 2008, we delivered the youngest panel ever: Road to Davos gave the 16-to-19 age group the opportunity to voice their concerns and their challenges in a public forum. The young people addressed issues including climate change, social inequality, the HIV/AIDS epidemic and lack of education. They participated in a number of activities, visits and workshops, including the BBC World debate hosted by Nik Gowing.