THE RETURN!

HELLO FRIENDS! I HAVE BEEN AWAY FROM THE BLOG FOR A LOOONG TIME, BUT I AM BACK. I WILL BEGIN POSTING TONIGHT, WHEN I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT MY ADVENTURES IN THE WORLD OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE PAST 2 YEARS! :) 

The topics cover VOLUNTEERING, 'THE PRICE' TO BE A VOLUNTEER, AWESOME SITES, AWESOME BOOKS, AWESOME ORGANIZATIONS TO CHECK OUT :)


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How To Use Twitter To Effect Social Change?/ My idea of a virtual HUB-coordinating center for volunteers(ing)/community service in Bulgaria!

source: http://socialchangenews.com - it's a really great site.
This is a really nice video :)




i still don't think in Bulgaria people really use Twitter so much, especially for bringing virtual ideas into real meetings/events with real supporters,activits fighting/standing up for real causes. Yet, i hope it will soon become a social space for uniting change-makers, like-minded people who want to make a positive difference in the world!
Any ideas of how to make it more popular among such people?...I'm not even sure how to find them in the first place...

I reaaally want to establish a network of people who want to volunteer in various areas, around Bulgarian institutions, for improving the Bulgarian society as a whole! I want to create a HUB for people willing to share their time, their efforts, their money, their skills etc. with underprivileged people in our society!!! and excited about making this world, our society and each small community - a better, more equal and just place for everyone!!!

So, i began by creating a survey, see earlier post, about volunteering/community service among young Bulgarians. Still don't have any results, want to get the word spread around to as many people as possible and get a somewhat clear picture of the current situation.

While waiting for the results, I will prepare a list with various possible areas for volunteering, collect info on institutions that need and desire volunteers (this will be a tough one!, I already found a website that lists all orphanages in Bulgaria, which is a start!), assess what kind of skills, activities etc. can volunteers get involved in etc. Then I wish to go to schools, get in touch with some media (online), as well as companies (plus governmental institutions?). I will make a proposal to them to create a volunteering/community service club/office/or sth of the sort. A place where employees/students etc. can see available volunteer opportunities divided by areas of interest, institutions, skills required, age?, gender? (if any preferences) time available, place (first, mainly in Sofia) etc. They will have the right to choose and apply, organize groups and GET INVOLVED. The HUB will coordinate, inform, organize, recruit, train, and make people excited about sharing their available resources with others. :) Therefore, I need to make this proposal exciting, interesting, and attractive to each individual group, like for students in schools/headmasters..I can explain the benefits of such a volunteer club, or an extracurriculum activity, optional class or sth. Then to companies, I can try to 'sell' the idea of CSR-Corporate Social Responsibility, stress the benefits that will come out of such activities-team bulding, networking, better working atmosphere as well as better results for the company etc. (The hub can also provide help for companies to become members in the UN Global Compact, see its Principles) etc.

People will have the option to become members - either as individuals, as organizations,  institutions or else. Also, there will be a need of really dedicated people who will help run the coordination, organization etc. work. E.g., people who will lead the groups to the designated places, explain and introduce volunteers to the tasks etc. I already created a Social Network at Ning (it's just a sample now) that will enable us all to stay connected by chat rooms, forums, blogs, photos etc. We can post maps to guide to the places, explain how to reach, share info/guidelines etc. etc.

Some companies may decide to "Adopt" a certain cause, like an orphanage, or a park/part of a park, or creating banners for other events etc. They can choose to simply use their professional knowledge/resources and thus support a certain cause or the HUB as a whole. I wish to get some of the online media sources to devote a column or so to volunteering opportunities, stories about development issues etc. etc. - social focus that invites people to become Active, to Care and Take Action! :) Students can teach lessons, (Musical School- can perform or teach kids how to play instruments), (Drawing School- can teach kids Art, get super creative), (Drama School - can organize and perform in orphanages or teach kids exciting and interesting stuff).

Of course students can do so many other cool things! They (people from the HUB) can also get together to
watch interesting and provocative documentaries, form debates, give voice to their points of view, share their experiences, ideas, projects etc. They can organize/participate/sponsor etc. diferent events, different activities, conferences, meetings etc. the HUB can become the Number 1 Spot for SociallyMinded Active and Responsible Bulgarian Citizens! A place where people gather to think positive, to learn, to make a difference, to help those in need, to fight poverty, injustice, climate change and a whole lot of other issues!
The list of ideas is endless indeed. I think some funding will be necessary, and I definetely need some help in how to go about this, how to approach institutions, how to get people interested in things like volunteering etc!

I think that Social Media (like Twitter, Facebook, Blogger etc.) and all kinds of Cool and Useful Web Applications will be of great use towards achieving this project, so I wish to get the most useful ones and master them! :)

Anyways, I am really really really excited about the possibility of seeing a DIFFERENT/CHANGED/TRANSFORMED BULGARIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There will grow a community that will have a shared Honour Code, a shared code of Moral standards that will unite people of all walks of life, all colors, all genders, all ages, ALL-who desire to help, to give, to make our society one made up of true CITIZENS with great and good convictions, high-moral standings, with spirits full of enthusiasm, commitment, love and compassion!

Together WE CAN make a REAL and LASTING POSITIVE DIFFERENCE and make our World a better home for All Inhabitants (of all kinds)! :)

Please share any comments, advice, ideas etc. concerning the realization of this Vision! I truly, greatly appreciate this! Thank you so very much in advance!

May we all, each one in their own way, using their unique set of talents and God-given resources, bear good fruit and nourish our World with more goodness, with more love and compassion!

Yours truly,

Uwera
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Because the World Needs to Know!

BE the difference that you want to see! Live sustainably and responsibly! Leave a rich and beautiful heritage to the next generation! Don't Waste the Planet away! It's only 1... Don't make nature...history!! Make history NOW! You've got the POWER :) and the WILL! Now is the time to show you care!

Love and respect the people around you and Nature. Ride your Bike. Help the needy. Don't waste valuable resources. Live simple. Enjoy life to the fullest!

Multimedia | 350.org

350.org PowerPoint Slideshow

View more presentations or Upload your own.

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A SURVEY About Volunteering/Community Service Among (Young) Bulgarians

BULGARIA NEEDS MORE ACTIVE, RESPONSIBLE AND SOCIALLY AWARE CITIZENS TO GET INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERING AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF OUR SOCIETY AND COUNTRY AS A WHOLE.

WE NEED A NEW GENERATION OF YOUNG, EDUCATED AND ACTIVE CITIZENS WILLING TO TAKE THE EXTRA MILE, SHARE THEIR SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND OTHER RESOURCES WITH THE UNDERPRIVILEGED IN OUR COMMUNITIES!

THERE IS AN URGENCY IN THIS MESSAGE, BECAUSE SOME OF THE SOCIAL TRENDS THAT CAN BE OBSERVED IN BULGARIA ONLY REVEAL INCLINATIONS TO SELF-DESTRUCTION AND DEGRADATION RATHER THAN IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT!

YOUNG PEOPLE NEED GUIDANCE AND OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE RIGHT CHOICES AVAILABLE TO THEM (JUST LIKE CIGARETTES AND ALCOHOL, THE INTERNET AND MEDIA SOURCES ARE ALL AVAILABLE TO THEM!)

THEY NEED TO BE MOTIVATED, INSPIRED AND STIMULATED. THEY NEED TO BE TOLD THAT EACH OF THEM IS SPECIAL AND UNIQUE AND THAT THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

WITH THIS SURVEY I WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT OF (YOUNG) BULGARIANS IN VOLUNTEER/COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES AND TO ASSESS THE OBSTACLES THAT EXIST FOR INCREASING THEIR ENGAGEMENT.

YOU CAN SEE THE QUESTIONS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT MY EFFORT. ANY COMMENTS AND ADVICE ARE WELCOME!

AS SOON AS I GET A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO FILL IN THE SURVEY, I WILL EVALUATE THE RESULTS AND I WISH TO CONNECT WITH SOME NGOS/ORPHANAGES/OTHER INSTITUTIONS/MEDIA AND TRY TO MAKE SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERING AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WILLING TO COMMIT TIME/MONEY OR OTHER RESOURCES TOWARDS WORTHY CAUSES!

I THANK IN ADVANCE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO TAKE THE SURVEY OR CONTRIBUTE TO THE DISCUSSIONS! THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHAT WE DO TODAY! THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON US. LET'S MAKE IT BETTER!!!





Click here to take our Online Survey


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TEN THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP END POVERTY!

1. STOP WASTING FOOD, instead, buy and use only what you need. Make a budget of your expenses for food when you are not AWARE of how you spend. The following week, make a day by day account of what you buy and why, being AWARE that there are over ONE BILLION hungry people around the world...and you can help SOME of them!

2. INSTEAD OF BUYING SOMETHING THAT YOU DO NOT NEED, INVEST THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY IN EITHER MICRO-CREDITING with Givology, Kiva etc. organizations, FEED A HUNGRY CHILD/PERSON in your neighbourhood, SAVE and ACCUMMULATE IT with the intention to donate it in a cause you support later. (check Givology-invest in small businesses,provide opportunities for poor women etc. or Kiva-microcredits 2 empower people around the world or Concern Gifts-affordable gifts that can lift families out of poverty or FILL THE CUP-provide school meals, keep children in school! etc.)

3. If you do not have the means to donate actual money toward a cause that you are otherwise very passionate about, use all the online FREE opportunities to engage in ACTION, whether by SPREADING the WORD via your favortie social media, by playing cool games etc. e.g. Choose a cause, earn points by completing activities, spread the word! or play a cool word game for free and earn points that turn into rice grains which will feed the hungry! choose a cause, earn points 4 it, spread the word etc.). If you need more ideas get in touch with me!

4. Open an account/or have a special box in which you collect money which will later be INVESTED in improving the life of someone impoverished! You can also put such a box in your office and then decide together with your co-workers how to spend this money. (you can make an alternative box with Ideas how to tackle such issues or Wishes/Needs that people know about in your area etc.)

5. Write about POVERTY/HUNGER/WAYS to EMPOWER poor people/etc. etc. and share these thoughts/articles with your friends (by e-mails or social media outlets), e.g. instead of sending them FORWARDs which they probably don't bother to read, make it PERSONAL - tell them 'YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE'!

6. INSPIRE others for ACTION. Bring AWARENESS about poverty etc. in your country or around the world. Bring the ATTENTION of the public to these issues, e.g. write to your government, to all the media in your city etc.

7. Be an EXAMPLE to others! Don't indulge yourself in endless, futile consumerism/shopping. Don't buy stuff for the sake of buying it, for the sole sake of having the MOST fashionable look! Rather, set boundaries for yourself, invest your money wisely (no matter how much you actually have)!

8. Apart from money, what really matters is your ATTITUDE! Your willingness to DONATE your TIME and HEART into improving the lives of those in need, e.g. volunteer in an orphanage, for an organization delivering food to the hungry, organize a small group with which to discuss issues, to organize events, to share info. BE ACTIVE!!! (it can be people from your workplace, or church, or school, or neigbours).

9. Find a cause/an organization that interests you, that fascinates you, then get in touch with it, learn more about it, get involved in it! It does NOT matter how educated you are, what job position you have, how you look, or what your faith is, just BE COMPASSIONATE (check this)!

10. Use your talents, your professional skills, your social or work position to advance human efforts toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals (see here for more info) and ENDING POVERTY in all its dimensions! (Poverty is MULTIDIMENSIONAL and it limits the choices of people to develop and reach their full potential, it hinders them from living their lives to the fullest, therefore it restricts and robs them from FREEDOM!) “Poverty is lack of access to basic human needs such as food, clean water, health care, clothing, education and shelter.” (see here). If you are an architect, put your skills and knowledge in use for the poor in your community (cool projects to improve communities or volunteer with Habitat for Humanity); if you are a teacher, share with your children about the world, engage them in action, whether by organizing volunteer trips to nearby orphanages, or get them to collect goods, make sells of crafts they make in class and donate the money toward a cause, make them AWARE and ENGAGED young citizens!; if you are a student, get involved in social clubs that have community service programs etc. , get together with like-minded people, organize events on campus, inspire others with your own actions! if you are a businessman, make your business truly SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE, share your skills and resources with the poor, invest in such communities (building wells, providing micro-credits etc.), offer scholarships to students from impoverished communities etc.

YOU ARE SPECIAL AND UNIQUE! YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

THERE ARE A BILLION WAYS TO HELP THE BOTTOM BILLION!

IT'S YOUR CHOICE AND RESPONSIBILITY TO ACT! NOW!

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STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY!TAKE ACTION TODAY!

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Waste = Food - A film about amazing and life-changing ideas and the people behind them!

Waste = Food | Watch Free Documentary Online

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Main 'characters' in this film - designer and architect William McDonough and ecological chemist Michael Braungart!!!!
This documentary is life-changing!!!! I will soon explore the issue of waste, sustainability and go in-depth about some of the ideas in the film, as well as other similar solutions to waste problems etc.
For now, watch this and tell me what you think! I am very very impressed and moved! Still need time to swallow and comprehend fully what these ideas mean for me and for my way of life, as well as what my role is to contribute to a future based not on blind and brutal consumerism, with no concern for nature, for our place in nature, for our impact and Print on it, but rather, on the "cradle to cradle protocol", or circular economy as it is called.

Watch out for an extensive study on these issues! It should be a lot of fun!! and a lot of fascinating info!
Ideas and opinions are welcome!
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Recycle me!..and I'll be new!

Recycle me - my dreams my thoughts

recycle every inch of me

i want to be Reused

i want to be Renewed

i want to be sustainable

an eco system that's alive

i want my veins and brains to flow

in one consistent entity

i want to be organically grown!

throw out the filth that crowds my head

spinning images of new and fancy things

i really don't need

money in bulk, extravagant life

rid me of the unnecessary trash

that i bear and that bends me

with the aim to erase

every living particle that screams

for honesty, for humanity,for modesty... for Breath!

but i'm choking in this polluted world

inside me growing - monstrous, industrial images

i'm told i need, in order to develop

i'm told to buy something new every day

i'm told that mine is old, is worse, is uglier too!

it's not up-to-date, i'm told,

so.. i Have to 'Choose'

advertisements wash away

my senses, dry my ideas, crush my creativity and

pump nonsense, oh, a whole lot of nonsense

so my head is a spinning sphere

stuffed with images, facts, opinions, beliefs - vague, shallow and unclear

i cannot hear the laugh of a child anymore

i cannot feel the warmth of your embrace, my dear one

i cannot taste the sweetness of a cube of sugar

i cannot...

it seems i cannot see what life, what life i once

longed to follow...

Save me! Recycle me! Reuse me! Renew me!

I beg you Life! ... Reclaim my freedom truly!

heal my spirit, my mind, my body...

Take me Life, take me or I'll surrender to this

horiffic/all-covering/encompassing brutal folly!

its victims already are Many...

it's a massacre and it's a crime against humanity,

i warn you...

I'm genetically modified at every corner

one, hands me a tomato red and pretty

yet injected with an animal's gene, it's creepy

another, hands me milk to refreshen

yet i know it's not from a cow, like on TV, 'Milka' fashion

there's also the eggs that i buy to cook

yet, i've seen the prisoners of this experiment crude!

Stop using me, you trashy consumerism, you misunderstood development,

you wrongly preached prosperity, you economic disbalance,

you lying politicians, greedy multinationals, you mocking preachers,

Stop using me as if I'm trash!

as if i'm replacable, one-time hit

Stop playing games that screw me up,

that leave my being like total Crap!

I'll resist your attacks - one at a time!

switch off the TV when you're on

throw out Mr.Greedy from my home

buy all that i need from the people near home

won't fall for your lies, even when they're shiny with glow

I'll clean out my house, leave space to love

leave space, time, resources to invest in others' lives

i'll rebel, stand up, fight,

i'll recycle my apetites, prejudices, misconceptions

i'll flush in the toilet all tabloid papers

i'll bury the poisons of Reality shows

i'll move away from the grandeur that obssesses the polls

i might be tempted, fall, yet in the end, i will Arise,

that you should know!

cause let me tell you one little truth,

even though you tried to kill me

I got the jackpot

I got something renewable and lasting

it's my humanity put in action

So, listen you, I claim back my life! A new era has begun!

I'm new, i'm real, i'm here now

I'm sustainable, rechargable, a new breathing EcoMan/Woman!!!!

p.s.And all of you, dear friends, get recycled now, because the nature of this evil is destructive and conniving,

leaving us feeling empty, in delusion and confusion~

Reclaim what's ours!Our planet and lives!

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SPONSOR A CHILD!

Get this widget!

Compassion – Make a Donation – Sponsor a Child

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The Girl Effect Video!Get Inspired! (including a poem i wrote)

http://www.girleffect.org/

WE CAN HELP HER (AND OTHER GIRLS LIKE HER) BECOME

ALL THAT THEY WANT TO BE!

GIVE THAT A CHANCE TO BELIEVE, TO HAVE DREAMS AND
TO LEAD DIGNIFIED LIVES!

A Poem in Their Honour and Support!

The Girl Effect

Put it in motion
stir it for action
cause an equation
that will shake the foundations
of all preconceptions, all dogmas, traditions
and will release from prison these beautiful hidden treasures!

Each girl is precious, each one is a star
light the flame in her life
give her freedom at once!
She'll sparkle and shine
She'll be glorious, a fruitful vine!

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO SET HER FREE

Free from all the unwanted
marriage, labour, abuse
Free to make her own choices
to depend on herself
Free to control her destiny too
free to embrace life that is good!
free to plan, to save, to grow and develop
to explore her talents to the full
Free to dream, to aspire
to play and to learn
Free to be a happy child,
free to become a dignified woman
able to give birth and survive
take care of her child
free to laugh and to love...
to be a citizen ...
a mother a wife.

Press the button, stir the wheel
you have the tools, she needs to succeed
you can give her a chance,
she'll take it, you'll see
you can lend her a hand
she won't disappoint u,
believe me!

A child, a girl, a woman, a human at last
will you light the flame of her future?
will you give her a chance?
then, as if by some magic
you'll see multiplied
this equation growing bigger
including many lives

she began as a girl,
who received education
then she found a job better
and provided for her old parents
she planned her family and brought to life
children that she cared for
and sent to school at last

and here the magic is unfolding
one life put in place
changes so many around it,
and the poverty cycle is
broken alas!
oh, invest in this girl!
bring the magic to life!
change the course of history,
bring Justice the victory!

INVEST IN A GIRL!
SET THE MAGIC OF THE GIRL EFFECT IN MOTION!

Addis wanted a CHANCE to CHOOSE how to live! She wanted to KNOW!Now She is POWERFUL!..so is her son!

Shumi is POWERFUL!She is COURAGEOUS!She was given a chance..then..

the Girl Effect began!

Sanchita took a small loan...which changed her life and the life of her family...

it doesn't take much to start the Girl Effect!Support it!!!

An investment in one girl's future...will reap a rich harvest!!!

THE GIRL EFFECT!

THE FUTURE IS IN OUR HANDS!

WE CAN MOLD IT TODAY!

WE HAVE THE TOOLS,

THE KNOWLEDGE

THE RESOURCES...

THE QUESTION IS

DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE?

THE WILL?

THE PASSION...?

TO TAKE A STAND

TO BREAK THE SILENCE

TO MAKE A STEP

TO PLANT THE SEEDS...

AND REAP THE HARVEST!!!

(the poem is in the honour & support of the Girl Effect movement and all girls and women around the world)!
p.s. i will include a ppt with recitation of the poem soon! upcoming!

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World Food Programme!Make a Difference!!!TODAY!

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THE GIRL EFFECT!GIVE HER A HAND!SHE WILL DO THE REST!

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Link your site to ours

Link your site to ours

Shared via AddThis

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THE COMPASSION REVOLUTION!JOIN IT NOW!

BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT BE PART OF THE CHANGE BE THE AGENT THAT STIRS THE WORLD TOWARDS A BETTER PLACE BE THE GOLDEN RULE ITSELF!

BE FREE FROM HATRED JEALOUSY GREED

BE FREE TO LOVE ALL PEOPLE DESPITE DIFFERENCES

BE PASSION

BE KINDNESS

BE MERCY AND LOVE

BE TO SOMEONE AROUND YOU THE HOPE THAT WILL LAST

BE THE SUNSHINE AND THE SPRING

IN A PERSON'S BROKEN HEART

BE THE BANDAGE AND THE HEALING

BE THE POWER TO REVIVE

HAVE COMPASSION

HAVE DESIRE

TO FOLLOW THE DREAM THAT IS HIGHER

HIGHER THAN ME HIGHER THAN YOU

THE DREAM THAT SPEAKS OF UNITY AND TRUTH

HAVE THE COURAGE TO STAND UP

HAVE THE HEART TO ACT WITH LOVE

HAVE THE FAITH TO PERSEVERE

THROUGH TRIALS OBSTACLES PROBLEMS

HAVE A FRIEND TO SHARE

BE A FRIEND TO SOMEONE WITH CARES

ACT NOW DON'T WAIT FOR TOMORROW

LEND A HAND NOW DON'T SAY YOU CAN'T FOLLOW

OVERCOME YOUR PASSIVITY

OVERCOME YOUR IGNORANCE

OVERCOME YOUR SELFISHNESS

AND BECOME A MEMBER THE COMPASSION MINISTRY!!!

REMEMBER THAT WHEN YOU FOLLOW THE GOLDEN RULE

YOU ARE/WILL BE RICH!

SO, SEARCH NO MORE FOR TREASURES AND WEALTH -

YOUR WEALTH IS IN THE HEART, SHARE IT AND YOU WILL HAVE PLENTY IN FACT!

THE MORE YOU GIVE THE MORE YOU RECEIVE, AND THIS GOLDEN TREASURE NEVER GETS EXTINCT.

AIM HIGH. BECOME A MILLIONAIRE!

BECOME A GOLDENRULAIRE! :)

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CHARTER FOR COMPASSION-NOVEMBER 12TH!

CHARTER FOR COMPASSION TRAILER from TED Prize on Vimeo.

There is an urgent need for a new focus on compassion.

Bringing together voices from all cultures and religions, the Charter seeks to remind the world we already share the core principles of compassion.

On November 12, thousands of people across the globe will listen together.

Participate and engage with the Charter now at charterforcompassion.org

Director: Gilly Barnes
Music: Fredo Viola
Additional Footage: Peter Roger

LET US ALL JOIN HANDS TO BRING A JUST, A GOOD, A COMPASSIONATE WORLD TO OURSELVES AND TO OUR CHILDREN!

BE PART OF THE CHANGE
BE PART OF THE REVOLUTION FOR COMPASSION!

BE A COMPASSIONATE CITIZEN, ONE READY TO TREAT ALL OTHERS, AS YOU YOURSELF WISH TO BE TREATED!

I JOINED! WILL YOU?

please share any interesting ideas about events that can be held during the celebrations, ways to raise awareness among the people about the importance of becoming compassionate towards one another and making a positive change in our world!

not separated by small differences but united by common core principles we share, not separated but UNITED WE STAND, and when we are united, nothing, absolutely nothing can defeat us...!

humanity's main characteristic will be compassion, our greatest achievement - fair and equal treatment of all people, our biggest victory - the one over selfish and greedy existence, our most valued principle of existence THE GOLDEN RULE!

WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN. I HAVE A DREAM AND I BELIEVE IN IT, DO YOU? IF YOU SHARE IN THE DREAM, COME AND JOIN! :)

IT ALL DEPENDS ON US!

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