http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-962754.mp3
For the past few weeks I’ve been talking to young people, mostly around Seattle, who are involved in global poverty issues. And I’m blown away by the number of initiatives being pursued by people in their 20′s and early 30's.
- A fellow heading to Mongolia to work on microfinance
- A young Bengali couple who have started an organization to fund smaller projects that often get ignored
- A woman who plans to work at the International Criminal Court on women’s issues
Others have noted this before, but my conversations have certainly shown it’s true: There’s something special about this generation, Gen-Y or the Millennials. They are much more internationally aware than many of their older cousins or parents, and they are very socially motivated. Whether it’s starting a business or working through a non-profit, they want to have a social impact.
I’ve written about the networking that’s happening in Seattle, creating more of a shared sense of effort or momentum, through the “Party with a Purpose.” I think the individual stories, of young people who’ve not only gotten involved but are making real progress, are more powerful.
The series begins this week on Humanosphere.org