#We care
I’m not an activist. I care. For thousands of times, I had cycled past a window with that text on it, but now, in the first week of the new season, it really struck me.
Because I never really know how to respond when people call me an activist. On one hand, it makes me proud; I AM passionate about fighting inequality on various levels and try to do that with our work in many ways. At the same time being called an activist never sounds like a compliment, and it makes me feel uncomfortable. As if activism is synonymous with anger. And anger scares people off.
Over time, I’ve gotten pretty good at cleverly packaging my activism in business language. It sounds better to my clients, creates less resistance, and allows me to convey my mission more subtly.
From the angry teenager who seized every debate on equal opportunities
for men and women, I’ve grown into a social entrepreneur who better understands that not everyone views the world the way I do, and that they have their own perspectives and stories. Bringing those perspectives together, building bridges, is how I do it. It works better for me than gluing myself to a painting or a talk show table.
I do think you need all kinds of activists though. Those who cry for attention in dramatic ways, which also leads to dramatic reactions, and bridge-builders or rebellious policy activists who try to change the rules of the game from within.
All of them are driven by genuine care for people and the world around us.
I am an activist. Because I care. What kind of activist are you?
#Our new team member: Loeke!
We’re thrilled to welcome Loeke to the Better Future team as our new Project Manager. A recent Sustainable Development graduate from Utrecht University, Loeke is passionate about driving meaningful change. Having lived in five countries across four continents, Loeke brings a diverse, international perspective and a strong commitment to environmental and social justice. Her curiosity and ability to connect with others make her a great fit for our mission.
She looks forward to seeing how change comes to life through our leadership and change-maker programs at Better Future.
“I’m inspired by the diversity of people and places, I navigate life with an open heart, a global perspective, and a passion for creating a better world.”
In case you got curious to learn more about Loeke, head to our Loeke’s page to discover who she really is!
Sharing a good experience with another human deepens our enjoyment of the moment… but only if we abide by certain rules. Dr Laurie Santos shows us how we often get ‘sharing’ wrong and explains how we can all derive more happiness from ice cream, sunsets and a night in front of the TV.
Can we connect without caring? And how do we heal when our connections break? How do we get to an understanding that says, “What I do affects you and what you do affects me?” A connected culture understands what it means to be CARING. Caring about someone or something requires us to be compassionate, aware, respectful, have integrity, be nurturing, and giving. Imagine what it would look and feel like if we all set our intentions to cultivate a more connected, caring society?
In this personal, eloquently-argued essay-adapted from the much-admired TEDx talk of the same name-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the twenty-first century, one rooted in inclusion and awareness. Drawing extensively on her own experiences and her deep understanding of the often-masked realities of sexual politics, here is one remarkable author’s exploration of what it means to be a woman now-and an of-the-moment rallying cry for why we should all be feminists.
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