Want to Change the World?

A Call for Nominations for 2008-09 CIE Fellows

What makes you different? Do you have something to say about the future of the planet? What would you improve in your community, your world? CIE invites rising sophomores and juniors who have a strong desire to create change in their communities to be a part of its 2008-09 Fellows program.

This program is selective, accepting only thirty fellows from across the greater DC region for 2008-09. Fellows will focus on Wind, Water, and Waste issues and will learn how to change the future of the planet.

Fellows will have the opportunity to:

• Learn from people and organizations that are tackling these challenges
• Connect with other students from public, private, and charter schools who also want to change their neighborhoods and our world
• Become a social entrepreneur and leader and do something about these issues

Who becomes a Fellow? Students who:

• Are civic-minded and looking for ways to change the world
• Are open-minded, engaged, and excited about meeting students from all over the area
• Believe they can change both their future and the future of the planet
• Want to raise global awareness and cause their school community to take action
• Are rising 10th and 11th graders with solid academic standing and can fully commit to this program

Think you can accept this challenge? Or does this sound like someone you know? Each school is responsible for choosing its candidate(s)—see your school's CIE representative for more information.

Applications due: May 19, 2008

Announcing: Japan '08 a new summer learning experience

In June 2008, students and teachers will travel to Japan for two weeks to investigate business. The focus of the program will be on business in Japan and will involve a comparative study in global business, education, and cultural practices in Japan relative to the world economy. This program is open to Washington International School students only for this pilot year. It is an opportunity connect their course of study to real world practices in Japan in the context of its interrelationships with the global economy.

Announcing: LearnServe 2008

LearnServe is a summer program that brings students and teachers to developing countries to explore important global issues.

"This trip showed me how much a simple human presence can make a difference and how much responsibility we have as global citizens to use our advantages for the betterment of others."

—Isabel, LSP 2007

Why would you and your school...

• Choose to be part of a LearnServe team,
• Travel to China, Paraguay, or Zambia this summer, and
• Return home and share what you have done with others?

Because you can. This isn't just a trip—this is a life-changing experience.

Find out why others did and how you can too. For more information:

• Read last year's team blogs from China, Paraguay, and Zambia
• Learn more about the LearnServe program
• Contact us to ask a question or to get involved
• Registration ends January 15, but places are limited, so reserve a place for your school now! (scholarships available)

Going Green: A Call to Action

Going Green, our fourth annual symposium, was held at the World Bank on November 7. Over 200 students and teachers representing over 50 schools from the DC area heard Mike Tidwell and Majora Carter issue a Call to Action in response to climate change and the implications for our planet and for environmental justice.

Additionally, over twenty organizations offered their resources to assist schools as they created plans to raise awareness and to move their schools to action. Also, the environment section of our resource library was unveiled, a collection of outstanding resources on-line that you can use today.

Action Plans were posted to the Connector, CIE's private on-line network. Photos of the event are on-line, and videos will be uploaded in the next few weeks!

2008 IFE Fellows Selected!

Thirty-two students from DC metro region have been selected for CIE's IFE Fellows program. These future global leaders will learn the skills of social entrepreneurship, learn from people who are making a difference in the world today, and design their own "sustainable ventures". They kicked off their training with an overnight team-building retreat (photos).

Special thanks to the Institute for Education for sponsoring this program.

Program Announcements for 2007-08

A Call to Action on November 7

You asked and we listened—our Call to Action symposium has moved to the fall. Mark your calendar for November 7th!

The 4th Call to Action symposium will challenge schools and school districts to work together to address some of our area's—and the world's—critical environmental issues in the face of global warming. Hosted at the World Bank, student and teacher teams will learn from inspiring speakers, connect with organizations making sustainable change, and begin to work together to make a difference in our world. To hold a place for your school or to learn more, send an email to symposium@cie-wis.org.

Fellows Program

Do you know or are you a sophomore or junior who has demonstrated potential in becoming a leader in our world one day? CIE's Institute for Education Fellows are civic-minded students who are selected to participate in an eight-month, global leadership training program. Teachers and administrators are invited to submit student nominations in September; the Fellows program will begin in October.

Learn more about the Fellows or contact us to find out how to become a nominee or to submit a nomination.

LearnServe Programs

In the summer of 2008, new LearnServe teams will continue work begun by previous teams. If you want to be a part of this two-week, in-country experience, email learnserve@cie-wis.org for more information. Scholarships are available.

This past summer three groups of DC area high school students and teachers traveled on LearnServe programs to Zambia, Paraguay, and China. Each group took part in development projects designed to bring about sustainable change in health and literacy, poverty, and the environment, respectively. The three groups blogged their experiences live from the field with first-hand stories and photos, which can be seen on their blogs from Zambia, Paraguay, and China.

LearnServe Trips

LearnServe Teams

This summer three groups of teachers and students will travel to developing nations to better understand the issues they face. While in-country, the teams will blog their progress with photos and reports from the field. Tune in to discover along with them!

Zambia and Paraguay are wrapping up their trips now, and China will depart on Saturday, July 14th.