I confess I have 2 Mortenson books at home- passed on to me by my mother that I have not read (well, I think I read two chapters). But she tells me that the books are very popular with teachers…

I attended a screening of “What are we doing here?” yesterday at the Liu Institute, UBC. Four young family members travel overland from Cairo to Cape Town to look at whether aid has had any positive effect in Africa. My biggest question was whether I would want to use this film when working…

As an educator, I am often too quick to focus on the virtues of education. And forget that it has also been used for millennia to mould the minds of youth- for good and…

Keshet Bachan-Dovrat of Plan International (and fellow kitten lover) did a wonderful talk on girls’ empowerment. Click on this link to go the GirlsReport’s Blog and check it out. I highly recommend it! (Note: you need to click on the blog title above to see the link.)

This Friday I am teaching a workshop on international community development and global citizenship at a local secondary school. I believe that I am part of a process to help shift the mindset of a…

There is a successful charity here in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside that has won a number of awards for the work they do. I don’t know a lot about them. But I do know they provide a safe haven for women. They provide free makeovers,…

Check out our new newsletter! This month we look at how to choose an international volunteer experience. In every issue we share a success story, a top blog post, favorite tweeps and online resources. The newsletter is directed at educators and anyone interested in international development and global citizenship.

Access The Stratosphere International Newsletter…

In case you haven’t noticed it is indeed that time of year again. It is time to make that list and check it twice. You know as much as I do that the list you make is mostly what you need to buy. But it is kind of fun too. It is an excuse to…

The other week I met with a founder of Libraries Across Borders. Have you ever heard of them? Doubtful to be totally honest. Not a terribly sexy name, not a terribly sexy way to get involved in community development. But they fall under the British Columbia Library Association- sounds like a good…

Here is a great video on Afri-Pads and menstrual related absenteeism. (If you are on the home page click on the post title above.)