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

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.

IFE Fellows Graduate

Fellows Graduating Class 2006-07

On Thursday, May 17, CIE celebrated the work of CIE's twenty-two graduating 2006-2007 IFE Fellows. Following a full year of preparation to become social entrepreneurs—creative leaders of social change—the five student teams unveiled their plans to address cross-cultural understanding, HIV/AIDS awareness, global climate change, and music education for students across the city. All five teams will be submitting their final action plans to Youth Venture—a CIE partner committed to supporting students as social entrepreneurs—for seed funding and additional technical support. After sharing a few words on their CIE experience, each Fellow received a certificate recognizing his or her contributions to and successful completion of the CIE Fellows' program.

CIE Fellows' Ventures:

• Cross-Current Media: Foster inter-cultural understanding among students across the DC metropolitan area through a student newspaper drawing on submissions from and distributed at public, private, and charter schools across the DC area. Content will include personal essays, students' perspectives on living in DC, youth-centered news stories, and potentially poetry and art. The team is also planning a complementary video project and website designed to "go against the current" by crossing the lines of segregation in the city.
• Aid for Aids: Raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and create a support network for kids (ages 7-12) in the DC area with HIV/AIDS.
• Midori (Japanese for "Green"): Mobilize high school "green teams" to address climate change.
• Play for the Power to Play (P-3): Unite local high school bands from across the DC area to participate in a "battle of the bands fundraiser for music education programs for young people in DC.
• Music Education Program: Promote music literacy and appreciation in DC area elementary schools through lessons from high school musicians.

If you would like more information on getting your school involved in the Fellows program, please send us an email.

2007 IFE Fellows Selected!

Twenty-six 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 a sustainable "venture". Meet these exceptional young people at our February 23rd Symposium.

CIE is pleased to announce our partnership with Youth Venture, part of Ashoka. CIE is grateful to the Institute for Education for sponsoring this program.