Millennium Promises Fulfilled By All Skills

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One of the objectives of this blog is to discover and post about different ways people can help with the Millennium Development Goals. Not everyone has to be a doctor in Nigeria, an engineer in Bolivia or an activist in New York. As this blog has shown, people who are accountants can use their skills to make the world a better place.

It does seem to take getting involved in something bigger than yourself. Something that follows principles you can believe in and implements those principles on a global stage.

One organization that does that is UNESCO. One organization helping to make a difference is Felissimo Design House.

The Millennium Promise Competition Winners via graphic:DESIGN:basics updates by no. 2 pencil on 7/15/08

"HELP!" by Lana Sef. DESIGN 21: Social Design Network, a joint-venture project founded by Felissimo and UNESCO to inspire and promote design for the greater good, is proud to announce the results of its Millennium Promise competition. The latest in a series of thought-provoking online competitions, designers of all disciplines were invited to develop a [...]

diigo tags: felissimo, design, mdg, mdgs

Open Architecture Network - Making a difference with the Web and Triangular Scale

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Does architecture give us a model as to how we can we use the Web to drive social change? The TED prize is one avenue created to bring about social change. Architecture for Humanity leveraged a 2006 TED Prize to build the Open Architecture Network, linking communities around the globe with architects and designers who can help them solve problems.

In 2006, Cameron Sinclair asked TED to help him build an open-source platform to help architects connect with communities in need of designs. The result was the Open Architecture Network -- a successful website that acts as both a clearinghouse for building plans and a vibrant social network, allows its users to sample, remix and customize design work for their needs. To help Sinclair's wish come true, join the community at the Open Architecture Network's website.

One of the latest examples of their work is their attempt to help Myanmar (Burma) rebuild, with Architecture for Humanity as told by the TED TEDBlog by on 5/6/08.

Following the devastating Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar (Burma), Architecture for Humanity asked for help in rebuilding the country over the long term. They wrote:

While the media will focus its attention on the loss of life, there will be millions displaced in the coming weeks -- and like most natural disasters, there's no plan for long-term sustainable reconstruction. Large aid agencies like Oxfam and Care will be knee-deep in immediate delivery of aid. How will the country respond to the long-term strategic need to rebuild the country?

In the first 6 hours of this drive, AfH raised $4,000 from over 120 donors. Learn more about this appeal >>

This was previously posted at my other site.

Believe In The Power of Positive Thinking

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Immense tasks, for which the Millennium Development Goals would qualify, take not only knowledge, understanding and commitment, they also require sustained inspiration. This month Sanaz Kazemi via DESIGN 21 Recent Activity wrote of the importance of being able to believe.

Before we can be successful at anything in life we must first BELIEVE that we can do it.

and points to the work of Remez Sasson on how to think positive.

The Power of Positive Thinking by Remez Sasson

Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds.