2022 was a transformational year for our Global Citizenship Hub in Accra, Ghana. With a plethora of new activities, and higher participation from community members than ever before, it is safe to say we’re building Global Citizenship muscle from the ground up in the region!
On 2nd July 2022, the Melton Foundation hosted a Virtual Townhall to connect around stories, share laughs, increase awareness, and celebrate LGTBQI+ pride together!
The cultural fabric of India is akin to a colorful mosaic of religions, languages, cultures, literary pieces, philosophies, and relics. The sheer diversity found in the country, interspersed with varying strands of thoughts, beliefs, and ways of life, is of gargantuan dimensions. The integration of different cultures over millennia has yielded a rich heritage, comprising a number of literary texts, architectural creations, and philosophical sects. Globalization, and therefore global citizenship, is a phenomenon which underlines the evolution of the Indian society and has worked its way into the mindset of the people for thousands of years, resulting in the interwoven societal setup existing today.
The best way for a global citizen to begin her journey is to explore her local environs and work towards creating models for problems that exist in different corners of the globe for implementation in the local setup. The local sphere is where the most visible changes occur, the site of the real empowerment of communities.
We, as a human race, have come a long way. From being nomadic tribes to constructing skyscrapers, the Homo Sapiens have traversed the globe, setting up civilizations in the remotest lands and sailing across the seven oceans. Despite the intermingling of societies, accelerated by globalization 18th century onwards, the hindrances to Global Citizenship have only increased. What are Melton Fellows doing to change this narrative, and make Global Citizenship an everyday reality?
When we ask our Fellows what their key learnings are from being part of our diverse network, every answer is unique. Every experience is unique. Being connected to hundreds of Global Citizens all over the globe across many generations is a truly one-of-a-kind experience, and today we have one of our cherished Senior Fellows, Vigneshwar Shankar, from India, sharing his Melton Foundation journey in his own words.
Have you ever wished to explore the world, beyond your neighborhood, beyond your city, or even beyond your country? Have you ever felt that you belong to the world, and want to work towards solving urgent issues like climate change, discrimination, and global warming to create a better planet for all? Do you condemn exclusionary practices, and feel that an inclusive, vibrant society is our way to a brighter future?
"It is incredible that COVID-19 had to bring the entire world to a standstill for people to realize that certain things need to be changed." Chebesi Daphne, a Global Citizen, and Melton Fellow from Cameroon, sheds light on the devastating and pivotal need for a socio-economic shift in her Central-African country.
The Melton Foundation looks back at over 25 years of shaping young minds through experiential learning, skill development, and intercultural exposure. In a first-of-its-kind Annual Impact Report, we uncover our methodologies, strategy, and secrets on what it takes to bring Global Citizenship to life across world demographies and regions. Join us as we walk you through all of the collaborative action, thought and ethical leadership initiatives, and transformative experiences that shaped our year.
At our Global Citizenship Orientation, New Melton Fellows and Global Citizens, together with experienced trainers and project partners, develop individual and collective global citizenship competencies in hands-on activities and workshops. Together, they build awareness for important global issues and explore how they can leverage their own capacity and that of their peers in order to tackle these issues in a meaningful and tangible way.
