WE BUILD 2013 (7th July - 7th August 2013) - Volunteer Program in Bangalore / India
Be a global citizen!! Join us this summer for a volunteer's program in Bangalore / India.
WE BUILD is a summer volunteer's program for those global volunteers seeking for an opportunity for a cultural immersion program in India and as well doing something meaningful and worthwhile as building a house for a poor family and engaging in community development work in rural India. The volunteers have an option to either enrol in two week or a four week program through WE BUILD. Watch the video of WE BUILD 2012:
Youth Agenda in the United Nations
Watch the TV interview held in Nairobi, Kenya in April 2013 by the Kenya Television Network (KTN) of the Director of GCSD, John Anugraha along with his colleague representing the Youth Advisory Board of UN-Habitat talking on youth agenda in the United Nations. This interview was held while the 24th Governing Council of the UN-Habitat was in session at the United Nations office in Nairobi.
Sports day in Rural Bangalore
VEDIKE Inter-School Sports Day
On August 1st 2011, Global Citizens for Sustainable Development conducted its first Inter-School Sports day at the VEDIKE campus in rural Bangalore that was attended by about 100 children from surrounding villages.
Raise the Roof 2011
RAISE THE ROOF 2011:
DATES: 26th MAY - 4th JUNE 2011
VENUE: MALLASANDRA VILLAGE, NEAR THONDEBHAVI (RURAL BANGALORE)
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL WILLING TO VOLUNTEER (Age limit - Above 18 years). For Registration, please fill the form below.
In The News
Study Programs
Global Citizens for Sustainable Development is currently involved and engaged in building a rural school, Vedike Eco-Residential School.
Cross-Cultural Dialogue
Announcement for Global Citizens Youth Assembly 2012
Are you looking for a cross-cultural platform to engage and dialogue with global citizens gathering in Bangalore, India. You can join for an exciting YOUTH ASSEMBLY from 16-17th August 2012.
Please address any further inquiries to join for this program at youthassembly@globalcitizens.org.in
CROSS-CULTURAL DIALOGUE FORUMS FOR
FRIENDSHIP, PEACE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
GCSD through its bilateral and multilateral FORUMS creates a platform for cross-cultural dialogue and action working towards a responsible, plural and harmonious society.
These FORUMS recognizes that YOUTH both as key agents and target groups have a unique and vital contribution in promoting a new paradigm of cultural diversity, cross-cultural dialogue and sustainable development.
Overall Objectivies of the bilateral/multilateral FORUMS:
- To Promote respective countries' Cultural and Historical Pluralism.
- To enhance cross-cultural dialogue and exchange of knowledge and shared values of different cultures.
- To create a society of “Citizens of the Earth”: a well-informed and committed young people with a clear vision about the intercultural understanding in a world where local and global issues are intertwined.
- To foster peace initiatives, consolidating democracy, good governance and sustainable living for bridging gaps
- To put forward alternative perspective on key issues affecting the Environment , IT, Education, Cultural process within respective countries.
GCSD acknowledges the generous support of Charles Leopold Mayer Foundation (FPH) and guidance by the Advisory Board Member of GCSD, Mr. Gustavo Marin who have been instrumental along with its sister concerned NGO, VEDIKE (India) and several key partners in India and Internationally to help us launch the following programs:
China-India Forum is a joint initiative of Global Citizens for Sustainable Development and Center For Cross-Cultural Studies, Peking University, China
Please read Page 71 from the booklet about the China-India Forum a youth-led development project recognized by the 4th World Youth Congress held in Canada in August 2008.
Japan-India Forum is a joint initiative of Global Citizens for Sustainable Development and J.F.Oberlin University, Japan.
3. Korea-India Forum
Korea-India Forum is a joint initiative of Global Citizens for Sustainable Development and MIZY Seoul Youth Center for Cultural Exchanges, South Korea
Read the report of the Korea-India Forum 2011
4. Sri Lanka-India Forum
Sri Lanka India Forum is a joint initiative of Global Citizens for Sustainable Development and Sri Lanka United Nations Friendship Organization, Sri Lanka.
Housing
GCSD initiated its activities related to Housing since 2008, when the Executive Director, Anugraha John was elected in Nanjing, China during the World Urban Forum as the member of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) of UN-Habitat for the period 2009-2011. During his tenure as the member of YAB, John was instrumental in mainstreaming youth and empowerment strategies at UN-Habitat. He also lobbied for YOUTH at several platforms, especially at the 22nd Session of the Governing Council meeting of the UN-Habitat held in Nairobi, Kenya in March 2009. During that Session, he convinced the Sri Lankan Government to table, the Draft Resolution on Strengthening the Development of Urban Young People one of the most important YOUTH document that ensures youth participation in the UN-Habitat agenda. During this time he was inspired to not just do advocacy work but complement it with something "real" on ground as well. Thats how WE BUILD came into being.
John with the Sri Lankan Government delegation at the 22nd Session UN-Habitat in Kenya.
GCSD promotes youth participation at several Urban and Habitat related Forums and initiatives. GCSD has supported Habitat for Humanity, India by recruiting volunteers for their BUILD projects in Bangalore, India and has also organized several independent BUILDS in Bangalore engaging youth participation. Drawing inspiration from the Habitat for Humanity to work in communities and BUILD houses for the needy and poor, today GCSD organizes several BUILD projects in Bangalore and rural Bangalore.
WE BUILD 2010 was a pilot project launched by GCSD inviting 33 volunteers from countries such as Portugal, Greece, Spain, France, Bulgaria, USA, Australia, Spain, Japan, India and others to BUILD three homes in Mallasandra village outside of Bangalore. Since then it has now become an annual event and have changed lives of many. We dont just build houses for families, we empower them and the community during the entire process that magicall transforms the community.
WE BUILD was also a living example of analyzing how typical conferences/workshops are organized. People come together for the conferences/workshops to discuss "things" and most of the time they forget it when they go back to normal lives they remain an online campaigner for the same. BUT, at WE BUILD we do the process differently. Youth learn, share and work on community project for 3 weeks and then they meet together at the Youth Assembly, to share their experiences with other peers who are doing similar activities in their respectivie cities or countries. WE BUILD is all about, "Actions speak louder than words".
RAISE THE ROOF 2011 was another initiative for local youth to come together and build a house while the money was raised through a benefit concert in Australia. The project was spearheaded by John, Marcus Tudehope and Hayley Jane. Unfortunately, this we havent been able to do it annually but are looking for partnerships in India to start it again.
