admin August 11th, 2008
Here at Small Planet we value the work of people who are proof of Living Democracy—an empowering way of life in which citizens use their voices and values to make lasting, positive change in our society.
For the past few months we have been connecting with organizations around the country that embody the core elements of Living Democracy. Below you’ll find an example of one such organization and what it is doing to help our planet. We find their phenomenal efforts inspiring and know that you will, too.
Want to become a Small Planet Partner? Please email us at team@smallplanet.org
Redefining Progress
“Redefining Progress is the nation’s-leading public policy think tank dedicated to environmental, economic, and social justice. Our team does original, unbiased research about the disproportionate effects of climate change on low-income families and people of color. We develop measurement tools such as the Ecological Footprint and the Genuine Progress Indicator that point people and governments towards environmental and economic sustainability.
“Utilizing our research and tools, Redefining Progress outlines policy initiatives at the state and national level to address pressing environmental issues in ways that are economically and socially just. We are available as sustainability consultants and researchers to businesses, labor unions, schools, communities, and governments that seek to become more sustainable or need in-depth information on the impact of policies on their sector. We’ve created free resources for teachers who want to introduce concepts of sustainability in their classrooms and we host the popular Ecological Footprint Quiz (http://myfootprint.org), the world’s most well-known personal measure of sustainable living.”
The National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture
“The National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture promotes grassroots involvement in the creation of federal policy for food systems and rural communities that are healthy, environmentally sound, profitable, humane and just. We are built on farm- and community-based knowledge–proven quite literally in the field–that sustainable agriculture can produce the food we need, and generate jobs and a healthy rural economy, without environmental harm. Our process of dialogue and consensus building enables us to generate agreement and unified action among groups who have traditionally found little common ground.”
YouthBuild USA
“YouthBuild is a youth and community development program that simultaneously addresses core issues facing low-income communities. These include housing, education, employment, crime prevention and leadership development. A network of 226 local YouthBuild programs help low-income youth rebuild their communities and their lives. In March, 2008, at the Skoll World Forum Award Ceremony in Oxford, England, the Skoll Foundation unveiled a seven-minute film about YouthBuild as a solution to the issues affecting low-income youth in the United States.”
Watch the film here: http://www.youthbuild.org/site/c.htIRI3PIKoG/b.4126063/
A new profile on Frances has been posted on Voice of America. The piece, titled “American Activist Promotes Democracy Worldwide,” can be read — or downloaded as an audio file — 
From KBS Culture News:
