Changemakers www.changemakers.org.uk A non-profit organization which works closely with schools, local youth organizations and other bodies. Offers support and training for teachers, young people and community workers to realize the community projects of young people themselves.
Compassionate Kids Inc. www.compassionatekids.com/activism.shtml Dedicated to helping teach children compassion towards the earth, people, and animals. The website has articles, book reviews, and free activities. Local chapters across the country host compassion-oriented field trips and community service events monthly.
Do Something www.dosomething.org On this site students can find information on how to become a good leader and build good character and citizenship in order to make a difference.
Freechild Project www.freechild.org Features information by and for youth related to rights, citizenship and other issues affecting young people. Check out the Freechild newsletter, library and directory of social change.
Free the Children www.freethechildren.org Features excellent tools and actions, all designed for youth. Download the “Youth in Action Toolkit,” click on “Youth for Peace Ambassadors” and check out the latest campaigns, such as Take a Stand for Peace and Shoes for Souls. Sign up for a leadership academy or an overseas international development project.
Free Spirit Publishing www.freespirit.com All about creating books to help kids help themselves. Contains great resources including the Kids Guide to Social Action and the Kid’s Guide to Service Projects by Barbara A. Lewis. Also check out Making History: A Social Studies Curriculum by Sheldon Berman.
Just Act www.justact.org.au/ Here you can discover ways to promote leadership among kids and action for global justice (social, political, and environmental).
Kids Can Make a Difference www.kidscanmakeadifference.org Features an educational program for secondary students that focuses on the root causes of hunger and poverty, the people most affected, solutions, and how students can help.
Leaders Today www.leaderstoday.com Opens with the statement: “Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow; they are also the leaders of today!” Check out the “Teacher Resources” and “Student Resources” sections on the website (under School Boards). They also offer training in leadership and provide workshops/activities on the global situation.
MoveOn www.moveon.org/ MoveOn is working to bring ordinary people back into politics. With a system that today revolves around big money and big media, most citizens are left out. MoveOn is a catalyst for a new kind of grassroots involvement, supporting busy but concerned citizens in finding their political voice. Our nationwide network of more than 600,000 online activists is one of the most effective and responsive outlets for democratic participation available today.
National Service Learning Clearinghouse www.servicelearning.org/youthsite Connects youth grades K-12 with resources on how to get involved with project ideas, action guides and more.
No War Zone www.nowarzone.org Allows youth to share ideas on how to make a difference in their community with service learning projects.
Sierra Club, Youth Coalition www.syc-cjs.org The youth arm of Sierra Club is dedicated to engaging youth in environmental issues. This online forum connects and informs local youth chapters across the country.
Solutions Site www.solutions-site.org/kids/ An inspiring site for K-12 students who want to learn about real life solutions to today’s crucial global problems. This engaging, interactive, multimedia site includes information on what’s going on in the world, and what real life people are doing (and kids can do) to make a difference.
TakingITGlobal www.takingitglobal.org Sign up as a member of this online global community for youth, create a profile or online journal and connect with like-minded people from all over the world. Download useful resources such as the “Workshop Kit and Guide to Action,” view other youth-led projects by region or topic and visit the global gallery where you can present your own exhibit.
TUNZA, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) www.unep.org/ In its efforts to provide environmental leadership to countries around the world, UNEP developed TUNZA, an initiative to engage youth in environmental conservation and sustainable development. Learn about international youth conferences, read the TUNZA magazine and be sure to download “A Time for Action.”
UNICEF Voices of Youth www.unicef.org/voy This site is a forum for youth to learn, speak out, connect with other youth and take action. Join an online discussion forum and review some important tips and strategies for action. Key topics include youth rights, sustainable development, HIV/AIDS, the girl child and more.
Unesco Youth Co-ordination Unit www.unesco.org/youth The Youth Coordination Unit at UNESCO works for and with youth, through a wide network of associations and NGOs.