Deborah James and Medea Benjamin pushing Starbucks to go Fair Trade, 1999.

We’re going to raise $25,000 by midnight on Dec. 31st.

Over the past 25 years, you have helped Global Exchange:

• transform the unfair practices of corporate giants like Nike, GAP, and Starbucks;
• build a thriving Fair Trade movement;
• monitor elections in Colombia, Mexico, and the U.S. and;
• build the Green Festival – the nation’s largest sustainability event.

Your support made all this, and much more, possible. Renew your commitment to social justice by making a donation today.

As we set our sights on the next 25 years, with your support we will reform U.S. gun laws, force Hershey’s to go Fair Trade, and continue to oppose unjust policies in the U.S. and abroad.

Your continued support will help us build an unstoppable movement for change.

Please donate today and make great things possible:

• One Hundred $25 gifts will cover the cost of a trip to Ethiopia to meet with Fair Trade cooperatives and develop increase relationships with local artisans.

• Fifty $100 gifts will tour a speaker from the frontlines of the drug war in Mexico, educating and inspiring thousands across the U.S. to change the broken policies that are fueling this tragic war.

• Five $250 gifts will sponsor a year-long youth fellowship to inspire and train the leaders of tomorrow.

• Twenty-five $1,000 gifts will support all creative actions we have planned in 2013 to expose the havoc that lobbyists are wreaking on our democracy.

Want to see what we have accomplished in 2012? Watch this video (or re-visit our winter, spring, summer and fall roundups) to find out:

If we can accomplish all that in one year, think of what we have in store for the next 25 years!

Give today and ring in another year full of social justice victories.

Here’s a very special video with highlights from our year, and we do mean “our” because we cannot do the work we do without YOU!

Please consider this your official invitation to JOIN US in this unstoppable movement for change. Together we are strong.

In the results of the election, a lot of truths have been unearthed- the demographics and values of the United States, the power and limits of corporate money to influence elections, and the real significance of votes.

Over $629 million in Super PAC spending didn’t sway U.S. voters as significantly as expected, but in the coming months will the billions spent in corporate lobbying sway Congress?

Lobbying is a multi-billion dollar industry. While it’s technically true that you and I (or any constituent really) can lobby or try to persuade their legislators, most lobbying is funded by -and promotes- corporate interests. Since 2008, Wall Street has spent over $2.2 billion on lobbying, largely in order to weaken and squirm out of financial regulation. Add in the pharmaceutical, HMO, agribusiness, business, oil & energy, and defense/militarism sectors and we’re talking nearly $4 billion spent specifically to get corporations unprecedented (and undue) influence over all those folks we just elected to office.

We need to make sure all the new and re-elected members of Congress know that we elected them to represent us, not Wall Street and its cadre of lobbyists.

Can you take just a few hours in December to make a world of difference on this issue?

You and your representatives will both be back in your hometowns and districts during the month of December. Congress takes a recess, but you can still easily set up a meeting with your Congressperson in their district. Take the time to set up a meeting, put on a nice sweater and go tell your representative that you want them to commit to not being overrun by big bank lobbyists.

Here’s how:

1. Look up your representative: {http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt}
2. Call their office and set up a meeting for when you’re both home just before the holiday break.
3. Do some research- look up how much campaign money your representative received from different companies and look into the DC connections of lobbyists representing those companies.
4. Write this information down in a notepad, along with other questions you’d like to ask. If you need ideas, here are some of our favorites:

• How many lobbyists from Wall Street arrange meetings with you?
• How many lobbyists do you plan to meet with during this term?
• If lobbyists give lots of gifts and throw lavish parties, does it influence your vote on their issues?
• Are some lobbyists in DC perceived as bullies? Is there any way we can help you focus on your job without all these lobbyists trying to influence you all the time?
• Have you ever seen a scorecard that shows campaign contributions before? Do you feel comfortable with how much money you received from Wall Street and your ability to put your constituents first? (If they were in office last year, you can show them Global Exchange’s Legislative Scorecard and measure  their ‘loyalty rate’ to Wall Street’s lobby position on key bills like Dodd-Frank!)
• What would you like to see change in DC in the realm on campaign contributions and lobbying?

5. When you meet, dress neatly and write down the answers!
6. Take a picture with your senator/representative and an Elect Democracy sticker if you can.
7. Email them to Global Exchange since students around the country will be sending in answers. Together, we’ll be able to see who’s willing to make some real commitments to say NO to lobbyists next year!

Boom- you’re done! All in all, it should take less than 3 hours, but it makes a huge difference not only for your Congressperson, but in helping to create a culture where politicians become more wary of the lobbyists and campaign contributions coming from Wall Street and other industries that want to put their profits before a healthy democratic process.

TAKE ACTION: Leave a comment confirming you can meet with your Representative in December!

Today, you have another opportunity to Stick It To Super PACs: vote!

I won’t tell you how you should vote, but I encourage you to defy Super PACs by voting using your values, your research, and analysis you trust, and not being swayed by 30 second misleading attack ads.

People around the world are impacted by the results of U.S. elections, and they don’t get to vote today. You do. So get out there and exercise your rights!

Here are some resources to help:

•    Find your polling place by web or text “Polling Place” to 69866
•    Nonpartisan social ballot analysis
•    Report any voter suppression issues by calling: 1-866-OUR-VOTE or video record any problems using your cell phone with VideoTheVote.org.
•    Remind your friends to vote.

Voting is just the first step to Elect Democracy for a change. No matter what the outcome is on November 7th, we’ll still have a lot of work to do, but together we are in it for the long haul. Thank you. Also, if you haven’t had a chance to Stick It To Super PACs yet, there is still time to take action and share it with your friends!

See you at the polls.

Update 11/14/2012: A is for Activist copies are now available at the Global Exchange D.C. Fair Trade Store or online here.

—

Set to make its debut at the San Francisco Green Fest, A is for Activist is an A-B-C board book for progressive and activist families.

It’s written AND Illustrated by Global Exchange longtime ally Innosanto Nagara, who along with Design Action Collective has been designing Global Exchange materials for over a decade. (Some of you might remember the GAP sweatshops campaign?)

Global Exchange Gap/No Sweat campaign poster designed by Design Action Collective

I’ve personally worked with Inno on many projects over the years, and when I heard he had a children’s book coming out about activism, my first thought was, well, of course he does!

Inno is a true activist, design his modus operandi, and now that he’s a proud papa, I can think of no better person to create such a book.

A is for Activist is colorful and (of course) visually striking, given Inno’s background. Plus with punchy words and a worthy message, it looks like a fun read for both the reader and the wee one(s).

I asked author Inno what inspired him to write A is for Activist, and here’s what he had to say:

Well, my son turned two in June. He’s my first child, but he’s also the eighth child to be born into my home community. The eldest is now twelve, so I’ve spent a lot of time with children’s books.

The best books—the ones my son enjoys the most and I enjoy reading over and over—are the ones that have the best rhythm and cadence. Dr. Seuss books are the best example of this. The words are often made-up. The stories are wacky. But they are fun to read for the parents, and the kids are engaged.

The other books that my son enjoys are the ones with (lightly) hidden images that he can look for. Sometimes there’s not a lot of writing—just illustrations with layers and depth. “Three alligators, and two cockatoos. Can you find the cockatoos?”

Finally, there are those “theme” books that speak to the parent’s interests and values: Architecture ABCs (from our friends who are architects), Goodnight San Francisco (for those who live in SF), and so on.

This got me thinking, what would a book that did all of that for my family look like? It would be about activism, of course. The rhymes would be about stuff I cared about and be fun to read. I’d be reading this book over and over, so I’d want it to be something I’d enjoy discovering meaning in.

But more importantly it would need to be full of big, fun words and rhymes for my son. Cool words, like “Zapatista!” Oh, and the illustrations would need to be striking and layered and full of surprises for both of us. And of course there had to be a cat on every page.
 
So that’s what I set out to do.

Well Inno, mission accomplished. I’m sold, now all I need is a kid to read it to!
TAKE ACTION!

• Be sure to visit www.aisforactivist.com to find out more about A is for Activist;
• Pre-order now and take advantage of the earlybird discount;
• Check out these colorful sample pages of the book;
• Watch this video of Inno reading a preliminary copy of the book to his a-doooor-able son.

Global Exchange’s Elect Democracy campaign knows that local grassroots power is what will eventually halt Wall Street’s destructive greed. We also know that every penny counts in our communities, so we want to help support *your* local organizing efforts by offering you (and 24 other groups) a $60 mini-grant for you to organize an event (with some good food) that brings people together to eat, talk, and build relationships of support and understanding.

Every BBQ will be different, but the goal is to support local communities around the country in building relationships with one another and to find common links in their struggle against Wall Street’s greed.

Whether your group has been challenging Wall Street’s undue influence in our political system for days, months, years, or you’re ready to start now, please check out our short online form and apply to be one of the 25 groups around the country to receive a $60 mini-grant to help you do what you do best: organize!

We hope this grant will be a small boost for groups impacted by (or organizing in solidarity with) local communities impacted by foreclosure, student debt, and limited social services. It may only help for one meeting, but the connections we create are important and lasting.

Deadline to apply for a mini-grant: September 15th, 2012. 5pm PST.

FAQ:

• When should the “Don’t Burn Democracy” BBQ‘s take place?

Anytime between Oct. 1-7.

• What if it is too cold for a BBQ in October where I live?

Any kind of gathering with food, inside or outside, is totally fine. Do what works for you and your groups’ needs and preferences.

• Who should we invite to our BBQ?

If your group is against Wall Street’s corporate greed, try to think of other groups who share this view, who have had enough, or who may be able to help you (or vice versa). Invite the people you want to build relationships with.

• Why is Global Exchange doing this?

Because we agree with the strategy, “Choose the place where corporations are weak and people are strong: organize there.” -Vandana Shiva
People power is strong where it is local, where it is nourished, and where people feel safe and comfortable. We hope to contribute to local groups being able to create this space to learn from one another, and potentially to find ways to collaborate.

• What tools will I receive to help with my BBQ?

In mid-September, Global Exchange will send BBQ hosts packets that include sample schedules, planning tips, stories of how other groups are challenging Wall Street’s greed in their communities, and information that Elect Democracy has compiled about Wall Street’s interference with our democracy. Use what’s useful for your local event!

• What do you want in return?

A) Follow through- please do make it happen. We will have conference calls and lots of resources to help out, every step of the way.
B) Report backs- let us know how it goes! If your group comes up with new action ideas, friendships, or photos, share these with other participants and supporters around the country.

So, are you ready to host a “Don’t Burn Democracy BBQ”? Apply today!

Image: Occuprint

How exactly do you ‘lose’ $2-6 billion dollars?

Gambling? Addiction? Memory Loss?

Unfortunately for JPMorgan CEO & Chairman Jamie Dimon, the public hasn’t forgotten the nauseating numbers tossed around during the fiscal crisis that began in 2007 and resulted in a $700 billion taxpayer-funded bank bailout in 2008. So we weren’t very happy to hear JPMorgan Chase announced last week that the finance giant had suffered a Britney Spears moment and “oops!” lost somewhere between $2-6 billion on risky trading.

Five years ago, few of us outside the rule-twisting world of finance would have twitched if someone goofed up and lost big bucks. But these days, when it comes to “too-big-to-jail banks”, the 99% is very wary. Now when the public hears news about big banks squandering enormous quantities of money through risky trading and reckless bets, we brace ourselves. We wonder if we will be told once again that we have to foot the bill for another bailout to JPMorgan and watch our hard-earned tax dollars funneled into big banks while CEOs put their feet up and rake in bailouts, tax cuts, and bonuses.

After all, this is the same JPMorgan that received $94.7 billion in bailout money four years ago and went on to lobby even more heavily after receiving bailout funds.

When we give the big banks big bailouts, taxpayers are actually funding a coup of our own democracy.

JPMorgan Chase spent $5.4 million on lobbying in 2008, $7.6 million lobbying in 2011, (and just last week approved a $23 million dollar pay package for CEO & Chairmen Jamie Dimon). Besides investing lobbying cash to get a big chunk of the bailout, JPMorgan Chase also continues to rail against the exact type of regulation that would have prohibited the type of reckless trading that nicked somewhere between $2-6 billion off its tally sheet last week.

Image Credit: DrMarty, www.nowpublic.com

In 1933, following the stock-market crash of 1929 that precipitated the Great Depression, the Glass-Steagall Act was enacted in order to protect our economy by separating investment and commercial banking activities. Glass-Steagall was repealed in 1999, not to the chagrin of JPMorgan, which had spent millions over decades of lobbying for a repeal of the legislation.

Turns out, some rules aren’t made to be broken. Last week’s OOPS moment has sparked several lawmakers calling for resuscitating Glass-Steagall and for Jamie Dimon to step down from his Board Member position at the Federal Reserve.

But JPMorgan didn’t stop at defeating Glass-Steagall. Since the Glass-Steagall repeal ‘victory’ in 1999, CEO Jamie Dimon has become the poster boy for banksters whining about the ‘oppression’ of regulation, throwing money at Washington almost as often as he throws tantrums about having to play fair and follow rules.

Now, the Wall Street bulls have been working to gut the newest piece of rational regulation: The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Obama signed Dodd-Frank into law in 2010, promising us “There will be no more taxpayer-funded bailouts. Period.” Unfortunately, we still aren’t safe from Wall Street’s crazytrain. Matt Taibbi’s recent article details the “The Slow Painful Death of Dodd-Frank” and cites none other than JPMorgan’s CEO and chairmen Jamie Dimon as one of the bulls leading the charge against Dodd-Frank and other efforts to regulate a reckless Wall Street.

“Ever since the start of the banking crisis in 2008, Dimon has been arguing that more government regulation of Wall Street is unnecessary. Last year he vehemently and loudly opposed the so-called Volcker rule, itself a watered-down version of the old Glass-Steagall Act that used to separate commercial from investment banking before it was repealed in 1999, saying it would unnecessarily impinge on derivative trading (the lucrative practice of making bets on bets) and hedging (using some bets to offset the risks of other bets).” –Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich

Risky trading on derivatives is exactly what lost JP’s $2 billion. That’s a lot of crow to eat. But good ol’ Jamie doesn’t think twice about it. At the JPMorgan Chase shareholder meeting last week (yep, the same one where his $23 million pay package was approved), Jamie said, “It is time to admit mistakes… and move on.” Easy for you to say, Jamie. You’re not the one paying for JP’s “mistakes”, bonus boy.

As long as big banks dispatch lobbyists to write policies and then bankroll election campaigns so those in office sign those policies into law, we the 99% will continue to be prohibited from having the ability to regulate these money mongers. We need to take the keys away from those who are driving our economy into the ground.

So, speaking of designated officials, you may be surprised to hear this (or not) but many of our officials in Congress are actually literally invested in JP Morgan’s success: dozens of members of Congress are JP Morgan shareholders.

According to OpenSecrets.org data, which is based on personal financial disclosure forms filed by all members of Congress for the year 2010 (disclosure forms for 2011 were due this week, but aren’t yet publicly available), 15 Democrats and 23 Republicans owned shares in JPMorgan Chase worth a total of between $2.1 million and $3.8 million.

Do you see a conflict of interests here?

Are legislators effectively clear-minded enough to regulate an industry when that industry is making them millionaires? Does this personal investment impact their approval of policies that protect big banks at the expense of a safe market? Even without the personal bottom line, big banks fund Congressional dependency on the finance sector through campaign contributions and revolving door lobbyists.

JP Morgan Chase spent $7.6 million on lobbying in 2011, hiring 13 lobbying firms and 48 lobbyists. And 12 of its 14 in-house lobbyists are former congressional or government officials. Fact & Photo Credit: First Street Research Group.

JPMorgan made over $6 million in campaign contributions in the 2008 election. The corporation has already dished out over $1 million this year, and the party is just getting started.

As long as this corporate coup of our democracy continues, the finance sector will continue along, unfettered, in burning the economy to feed its greedy fire. It’s time to Elect Democracy instead of corporate puppets so that we can stand up to Wall Street bullies and protect the rest of the country from the finance sector’s erratic behavior.

Take Action!

Want to keep up-to-date on facts about corporate greed? Follow @electdemocracy on Twitter.

Hillary Lehr: Elect Democracy Campaigner, Global Exchange

Tell Me What Democracy Looks Like

In the past six months, the ideas of Occupy and the 99% have revolutionized the social dialogue of the U.S. in a way that has enthralled, enraged, and emboldened. Massive marches, rallies, and protests have acted as giant mirrors in which we catch a glimpse at just how many of us are completely fed up with the corrupt exploitative politics of ‘business as usual.’

Occupy and the 99% has offered a refreshed language and analysis for how we understand power politics. We have focused on creating shared space both on and offline in which we can trace and resist a vast constellation of impacts suffered by the 99% due to corporate greed. While this movement continues to evolve strategy, tactics, consensus practices, and creative outreach, its’ impact is already clear.

Though it many not be possible to all agree on everything all the time, most of us agree that the interests of the 99% are not being effectively represented in Congress, the White House, or in the Supreme Court. This crippling problem is not divided along party lines, either. It is a deeper fissure between a) the entrenched corporate interests who have manipulated the political system for their profit, and b) the rest of us.

When we follow the money on the Congressional campaign trail, it’s easy to see a glaring example of how corporate money is drowning out the needs and interests of the 99%. The largest campaign contributions to Congressional candidates of both parties consistently come from the finance, insurance, and real estate industry (the F.I.R.E. sector, including big banks). Once in office, these bought-and-sold legislators support and approve corporate-drafted policies that whittle away at our country’s safety nets and vital programs and instead fund bailouts that end up in big boss bonuses. What public services do you think of when you justify paying your taxes each year? Which of those services has been slashed lately?

Photo: memegenerator.net

So, is voting for the lesser of two evils really going to fix this problem? I think not. As stated by Occupy activist Max Berger in today’s Huffington Post, “We won’t just win by getting new players — we need to change the game. The system is fundamentally incapable of healing itself.”

Occupy struck a chord perhaps specifically because it identified a more fundamental problem than what can be voted in or out in 4 years, and we should continue this much-needed critique. Many have made the case for Occupy becoming a “left wing tea party” but Occupy doesn’t need to be a left wing Tea Party in order to impact the election. The sheer magnitude of a cultural mic check from the far-ish left has turned heads of both voters and politicians.

Historically, large social movements inevitably enable reform simply by being what they are: a mass movement responding to the injustices of the status quo. But the 99% can’t and won’t stop there.

We need to immediately Occupy Our Elections in order to approach having the real ability to Elect Democracy. We should engage with and impact elections by providing systemic analysis and exposing the impact of corporate campaign contributions, big budget corporate lobbying, and general ALEC-type corruption and collusion. Meanwhile, we can also simultaneously be creating new methods of meeting the needs of the 99% that can help make this broken system obsolete (so plant a garden, start a community health clinic, or meet your neighbors, to start). But let’s check in with the reality that building a new system is um, going to take a while, so in the meantime, register your discontent and go vote about it.

If there was ever a time to flex our power, it’s now. For all the fire and fury, for all the marches and mic checks, we have not yet “won.” Corporations still write policy, bank executives still get bonuses, and the rest of us are still fighting to keep our homes, pay off debt, find a job, get citizenship, make our own choices, and keep our families safe and healthy. Many of us are struggling to stay afloat.

Some of us in the 99% have taken outrage and protest directly to banks and big business and we’ve have had some wins. Corporate campaigning is indeed effective, and we should keep doing what works. Meanwhile, we also must address our deflated government and stop it from enabling ever-worse forms of corporate exploitation to take hold- not only here in the U.S., but abroad.

While we have every right to be disillusioned and skeptical, we have to take responsibility for the fact that the U.S. is driving war and destruction around the world through military romps, oil addiction, and deranged obsession with free trade at all costs. It’s time to show the 1% what democracy really looks like.

How do we create a system where it actually matters who you vote for? 

There is a reason that around the world, people have fought and even died for the right to vote. If voting didn’t matter, there wouldn’t be ongoing U.S. voter suppression issues that continue to this very day. We should trust our great grandmothers that fought so hard for this right, and honor those around the world who are still fighting.

So, let’s go for it. Occupy Our Elections. Let’s mic check media-laden debates with some real talk when talking heads are speaking for corporate funders and not for the 99%. Let’s tell politicians to spend their time in office making good policies, not fundraising for their campaigns! It’s time to go all out to fumigate corruption, pull away the smoke screens of the F.I.R.E. sector, demand accountability, utilize  transparency, and seed new, practical, short and long-term solutions.

We’ll help. Global Exchange is working on creating a toolkit where anyone anywhere can easily look up the Congressional politicians and candidates in their district and also trace their voting records on key issues. We’re researching to create a report on the Foul Five (five candidates who are the poster children for the corruption of corporate campaign contributions) and also profiling the Fair Five who are working on accountability to their constituents by not accepting finance sector contributions. We’ll be bringing the heat to bank-backed candidates on the campaign trail, and we would love for you to join us.

What else do you think we can do to Elect Democracy this year?

Cuban School Children

Since 1989, Global Exchange has played a leading role in the national campaign to normalize relations with Cuba our Caribbean neighbor. Our primary goals are:

-End the U.S. blockade of Cuba

-End travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba

-Get Cuba removed from the U.S. list of “potential terrorist countries”

-Support and learn from Cuba’s struggles and successes in achieving sustainable development.

To this end Global Exchange organizes Reality Tours to Cuba. Learn more about how to travel to Cuba here.

Take action and support The International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban 5’s call to solidarity organizations and friends in the United States to support ‘5 consecutive days of freedom for the Cuban 5′, April 17-21 in Washington DC. Action in DC will include a demonstration and lobbying efforts, and thousands of ‘Obama, Give Me Five’ posters will be placed throughout the city.

Obama... Give me five!

Background on the Cuban 5: They are Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, Ramón Labañino Salazar, Rene González Sehwerert, Antonio Guerrero Rodríguez and Fernando González Llort and in 1998, they were imprisoned in the United States. Danny Glover explains their case here in Danny Glover on the Five.

For a more detailed account of their case, read here. Also, check out the documentary called, ‘Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand Up?

Past Reality Tours participant Bill Patterson wrote this reflection on the changes that Fidel’s revolution brought to Cuba. For more information read here.

Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruiz

By Bill Patterson

Cuba, after half a century of our country’s less than benevolent despotism was a small, plundered shell of a nation controlled by bloody handed President-dictator Fulgencio Batista, United States financial interests and the Mafia gambling structure. Over one-half of the 6,500,000 population lived in slums without electricity or sanitation. There were over 600,000 workers unemployed. Over 70% of the children had no teachers. Illiteracy was 37.5%. United States financial interests owned or controlled 80% of farm land, power generating companies, telephone services and banking interests, In the 1950-1960 decade the balance of payments favored U.S. interests by one billion dollars!

Cuban Doctor

When Fidel’s revolution triumphed in 1959 other militant rebel groups faded, including the Communist Party with which he later united. Victorious Fidel fit the classic description of a multi-talented Renaissance Man. Famed as a military conqueror, he was a skilled head of state, athlete, educator and humanitarian. While traditional Western governments might scoff at the unconventional Latin leader, none duplicated his generosity in nationalizing his family’s 25,000 acre ranch property!

Smarting financially from U.S. industries’ financial losses our government chose to militarily reverse Cuba’s political independence. Cubans defeated the counter-revolutionary army at the Bay of Pigs with surprising ease, capturing thousands of mercenaries.

Our CIA attempted eight highly imaginative attempts to assassinate Fidel. It’s efforts to destabilize fragile Cuba included 5,780 acts of sabotage, terrorism and subversion between January and August in 1962. The Cuban Olympic fencing team was destroyed when the CIA downed their aircraft in 1976.

That the world’s strongest nation would label tiny Cuba a terrorist state and impose decades of cruel sanctions is shameful. One wonders if freedom and independence of small Latin countries is tolerable only if financial bondage is demanded and granted.

Sources: First paragraph statistics are from Fidel’s address to the United Nations September 26,1960, reported by Julio Garcia Luis, Dean, U. of Havana, Cuban Revolution Reader. Third paragraph statistics are fromFabian Escalante Font: The Secret War: Covert Operations Against Cuba 1959-62.

"Unity" 1st place painting winner by Christopher Minafo 15 years old, New York

We hear a lot of talk about war, violence and destruction, but what about peace?  This important question is the inspiration behind our international arts contest, aptly named What About Peace? The contest is for youth ages 14 – 20 to express ideas and thoughts about peace by responding to the question, “What About Peace?” through artistic expression.

Though the contest is in full swing and the deadline is closing in, there is still time to enter. All entries must be received in our office on or before February 15th, 2012 to qualify.

"What About Peace" 2012 submission table

I meandered over to the contest submission area at our office today to peek at the entries, and I have to say, I got a little verklempt. There are some really inspiring pieces already in, organized in boxes by category, with bigger pieces stacked behind. A surprisingly large haul of photographs and poems. Cool!

But I’m not the only one. Throughout the workday today I could hear other Global Exchange staffers milling about the contest submission table, checking out the newest arrivals.

Of course it’s not up to us who wins the big $1,000 prize. That will be up to the grand judge (to be announced soon right here on our People to People blog.) Last year Global Exchange’s Kirsten Moller was the What About Peace? grand judge and shared her reflections in this blog post about the contest winner.

The Contest Accepted Mediums are:

• Telling a story (up to 500 words)
• Writing an essay (up to 500 words)
• Creating a poem (up to 200 words)
• Painting a picture or collage (up to 18” x 24”)
• Taking a photo (up to 11” x 14” on photo paper)
• Designing a graphic, poster or comic strip/cartoon (up to 18”x24”)

It’s not too late to enter! If you are between the ages of 14-20 enter today. If you are a teacher, counselor or youth worker, please encourage your students to apply.

Download entry form here.

Download contest flyer to share with teachers here.

The Grand prize is $1000, but more than $2500 in total prizes will be awarded. Check out www.whataboutpeace.org for all the entry details.

WHAT ABOUT PEACE? RULES N SUCH:

• You must be between 14 and 20 years of age to participate.
• One entry per person…One person per entry.
• Entries won’t be returned. What About Peace? has the right to use any and all entries on our website, in displays, and in publicity for the contest. Copyright belongs to the entrant.
• Be sure that you and your teacher/sponsor understand our stance on copying and plagiarism.  They are not allowed.
• Send your entry and the form to What About Peace ? at 2017 Mission Street, 2nd floor, San Francisco, CA 94110;  All entries must be received in our office on or before February 15th, 2012.

WHAT ABOUT PEACE? WINNER DETAILS:

• The sponsor/teacher of each winner will be notified of their winner(s) by US Mail.
• All winning entries will be posted on our website, www.whataboutpeace.org on April 20th, 2012.
• Sponsors/teachers will present What About Peace? awards in our name.
• All winning entries will be posted on our website on April 20th, 2012.

SPREAD THE WORD! An easy way to spread the word about this exciting contest is to Share and Tweet this post (buttons on top right of post.) Here’s to a peaceful tomorrow.