As the most far-reaching corners of the world are brought into closer proximity through television news reports, internet sites, etc., we are able to see that life is not as rosy in other places as it is in Canada. Poverty, hunger, war, environmental degradation, and disease ravage many countries and a high percentage of the Earth's population. The reasons for this are complicated and confusing, and the solutions often seem to be a mystery. Fortunately, there are many organizations that are working hard at helping to fix these problems, organizations staffed with people who desire peace, health, and equality for all citizens of our planet and who are taking active steps to make this happen.
So whether you are simply curious or would like to find out what you can do to become a better global citizen, check out some of these excellent websites.
Amnesty International -- an international organization that tries to protect the basic human rights of people around the world
Free the Children -- Canadian-based organization founded by Craig Kielburger in 1995 when he was 12. Free the children is concerned with protecting the rights of children around the world. Their motto is 'children helping children through education.' This is an excellent website for finding the information and inspiration to make a difference.
Human Rights Watch -- a not-for-profit U.S. based organization started in 1978 to monitor and protect the rights of people in developing countries
OXFAM -- an organization that helps people in developing countries become self-sufficient by giving them the tools they require to get started. OXFAM also works to ensure Fair Trade practices are observed by international corporations and traders. This link will take you to the OXFAM Canada site.
UNICEF -- The United Nations Children Fund works to bring food, shelter, clothing, medicine, and education to children in struggling countries and worldwide. This link will take you to the UNICEF Canada site.
United Nations -- The United Nations is an organization that facilitates the communication between countries that is necessary to solve problems peacefully and protect human rights all over the world. The United Nations site is available in several different languages and contains a wealth of information, as well as links to human rights organizations and commissions such as UNICEF.
WITNESS -- an organization co-founded by British musician Peter Gabriel that puts video recording equipment in the hands of people in developing countries to document human rights offences and bring them to the attention of the world.
Environmental Organizations
Canadian Wildlife Federation -- Organization dedicated to protecting endangered species and their habitats in Canada. Lots of great information as well as some quizzes, games, and colouring pages.
David Suzuki Foundation -- This site contains important information on climate change, oceans, and many other environmental concerns. Also included are suggestions of simple things you can do to help save the environment, such as recycling and reducing energy consumption.
OWL (Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society)-- located in Delta, B.C., this organization helps to rehabilitate and release birds of prey (a vastly important part of our natural environmental balance) back into the wild.
Wildlife Defenders at KidsPlanet.org -- Excellent, colourful, easy-to-read information about endangered species, environmental problems, and ways that we can protect our planet for many years to come.
The World Wildlife Federation (WWF) -- information on endangered species and what we can do to help. This link will take you to the WWF Canada site.
So whether you are simply curious or would like to find out what you can do to become a better global citizen, check out some of these excellent websites.
Amnesty International -- an international organization that tries to protect the basic human rights of people around the world
Free the Children -- Canadian-based organization founded by Craig Kielburger in 1995 when he was 12. Free the children is concerned with protecting the rights of children around the world. Their motto is 'children helping children through education.' This is an excellent website for finding the information and inspiration to make a difference.
Human Rights Watch -- a not-for-profit U.S. based organization started in 1978 to monitor and protect the rights of people in developing countries
OXFAM -- an organization that helps people in developing countries become self-sufficient by giving them the tools they require to get started. OXFAM also works to ensure Fair Trade practices are observed by international corporations and traders. This link will take you to the OXFAM Canada site.
UNICEF -- The United Nations Children Fund works to bring food, shelter, clothing, medicine, and education to children in struggling countries and worldwide. This link will take you to the UNICEF Canada site.
United Nations -- The United Nations is an organization that facilitates the communication between countries that is necessary to solve problems peacefully and protect human rights all over the world. The United Nations site is available in several different languages and contains a wealth of information, as well as links to human rights organizations and commissions such as UNICEF.
WITNESS -- an organization co-founded by British musician Peter Gabriel that puts video recording equipment in the hands of people in developing countries to document human rights offences and bring them to the attention of the world.
Environmental Organizations
Canadian Wildlife Federation -- Organization dedicated to protecting endangered species and their habitats in Canada. Lots of great information as well as some quizzes, games, and colouring pages.
David Suzuki Foundation -- This site contains important information on climate change, oceans, and many other environmental concerns. Also included are suggestions of simple things you can do to help save the environment, such as recycling and reducing energy consumption.
OWL (Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society)-- located in Delta, B.C., this organization helps to rehabilitate and release birds of prey (a vastly important part of our natural environmental balance) back into the wild.
Wildlife Defenders at KidsPlanet.org -- Excellent, colourful, easy-to-read information about endangered species, environmental problems, and ways that we can protect our planet for many years to come.
The World Wildlife Federation (WWF) -- information on endangered species and what we can do to help. This link will take you to the WWF Canada site.