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From
Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, authors of Half the Sky
Young people have often been the conscience of their countries, and
students have historically been activists. But we're especially
impressed by young people today because they not only protest against
things, but also are active in support of projects. Our generation of
college students, for example, often protested against apartheid in
South Africa. Today's young people are more likely to raise money to
keep South African students in school, or to provide microloans so that
they can start self-sustaining small businesses. The revolution in
social entrepreneurship—starting social ventures to fill a niche—has
made activism far more effective, and young people especially embody
this change.
In Half the Sky, we cite many examples of young Americans supporting
women and girls around the world—and that's because there are so many
examples of superb philanthropy by kids, even middle school students. We
hope you'll find those examples as inspiring as we did, and we hope
you'll try to do something similar with a group of your friends.
Not everybody can afford to, but if you have the opportunity try to, go
and volunteer in a developing country for a few months. Frankly, you'll
learn far more about the world volunteering in India to teach English to
brothel children at a place like New Light shelter, or working with the
Edna Maternity Hospital in Somaliland, than you ever will exploring
Western European countries that are relatively similar to America, such
as France and Italy.
So fire up that idealism, and get engaged in this issue of empowering
women and girls around the world—for this is truly the cause of our
time!
Source: OPRAH, October 2, 2009
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