Roots and Shoots

The Power of Youth is Global

"Roots creep underground everywhere and make a firm foundation. Shoots seem very weak, but to reach the light, they can break open brick walls. Imagine that the brick walls are all the problems we have inflicted on our planet. Hundreds of thousands of roots & shoots, hundreds of thousands of young people around the world, can break through these walls. We CAN change the world."  Dr. Jane Goodall

Dr. Jane Goodall challenges you to change the world.  Visit the Roots and Shoots website to learn more about how you can get involved.  Perhaps, you might even be the first student to bring the Roots and Shoots organization to the ISKL campus.  The environment is worth fighting for.  Animals are worth fighting for.  Our planet is worth fighting for.

Young Global Eco-Superhero

Inspired by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Wangari Maathai from Kenya, who received the award for her Green Belt Movement in which over 45 million trees were planted to help stop soil erosion, Felix Finkbeiner begin fighting against climate change at the young age of nine.  Now thirteen, Felix is kept busy with his his organisation, Plant for the Planet. 

The Telegraph  news article, "13 year old has the world planting trees," discusses Felix's passion for the environment and his journey to fight for significant environmental changes to ensure future generations that our planet will be a healthy one.  Read the Telegraph article and watch Felix's address to the UN below to form a clear picture of this eco-superhero. Perhaps Felix will inspire one of you to fight for change.

International Children's Peace Prize

There is an age old adage that claims, "Children should be seen and not heard" because many believe that children are not capable of wise words or acts.  The International Children's Peace Prize organization disagrees.  In fact, the main purpose of the organization is to acknowledge "an exceptional child, whose courageous or otherwise remarkable acts and thoughts have made a difference in countering problems, which affect children around the world." Mikhail Gorbachev presented the first prize during the Nobel Peace Laureates' Summit in 2005. Since then, the International Children’s Peace Prize Laureate is selected annually from nominations all over the world.


Michaela Mycroft was the 2011 winner of the International Children's Peace Prize for her commitment to the rights of disabled children in South Africa.  See video below of Michaela receiving her award:

Read about award winning recipients from 2005 to 2011 on the website.  Consider the traits these youths share that allowed them to fight to make a difference in the world. 

2011 ~ Cause for Reflection

Happy 2012!

It is customary to reflect on past events when a new year is launched. The United Nations reviews a series of events/issues from 2011 that cause one to consider What is worth fighting for in 2012?:

"Earth's 7 billionth resident was born into a world of contradiction and change." The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon comments, "Seven billion now look to us, the world’s leaders. They need solutions. They demand leadership. They want us to act; saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth..."

Watch the video.  What issues do you feel need urgent action?