Global Change Initiative – You Can Attract More Flies with Honey
We are living in an age where there is unprecedented change all the time, we seem to be in a constant state of flux. And we have all heard the saying, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” Lasting change doesn’t happen overnight, we have to identify the stakeholders who have the power and influence to help us make that change. We have to persuade them to work with us and not be antagonistic and confrontational toward them. As a visionary in an organization, you may notice that the organization is going down the wrong path and heading for disaster. What do you do? Do you preach to your colleagues about the errors of their ways? Or do you gather information with supporting evidence, weaving it into your story during the presentation? I think the last option would be the way to go to win others over to our point-of-view.
Many of us recognize that all is not right in our world, and we often feel helpless because we do not know what to do. Today, women’s wages are still not on par with men, and many in the developing world often earn less than $1 a day, and work in less than ideal conditions. There is too much focus on consumerism, and not enough on the negative impact that we are having on our environment. I often ask myself, “How can I affect change as one person? How can I be of service in this world? And how can I add value to others?” These are very tough questions that I am constantly grappling with, and I do not have any answers for you. The one reassuring thing is that I find solace in Margaret Mead’s quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Related: Margaret Mead Was Known as the Grandmother of the World, Why?
Dev Ramsumair, an enterprising, Oxford educated young man, has just returned to Canada after “backpacking” around the world for five years. Travelling is an excellent way to immerse yourself into different cultures. And when you travel, and do not take the “Official Tours” for tourists, you get an excellent education, and gain great insights into how some people live in developing countries. Based on what Dev saw in his travels, he decided that he wanted to do something that would make a bold statement about global change. He also knew that to affect sustainable change, he had to bring people with power and influence to the table. The outcome is the Global Change Initiative, happening in Toronto, next weekend, May 30th – June 1st at Toronto City Hall.
The Global Change Initiative has a line-up of stellar speakers such as the Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine; Jack Pong, City Core Developments; and Andre Angel, Tango Tab. The conference is supported by the United Nations and Toronto City Hall. Reddit is live streaming this amazing event and two million have registered to view the live stream. The conference is built around sustainability, conscious consumerism and responsible thought leadership – think of it as the three-legged stool.
So where do I fit into the stream of things? I am not sure if I have ever mentioned this here, but I am co-President of 85 Broads Toronto, and as a special surprise, 85 Broads members and supporters will be taking part in a special fashion show on May 30 in support of Fashion Takes Action. As an introvert, I cannot believe that I will actually be modeling in the event. The fashion show is only 15 minutes in length. To support this worthy Initiative, there’s a special price for 85 Broads Toronto supporters. When registering, use PROMO CODE 85B for a great price for the 3-day conference. For more information, visit the Global Change Initiative website. Register for Global Change Initiative today! This is a grassroots movement, and I’d like you to accompany me on the journey.
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Author Bio: Avil Beckford, an expert interviewer, entrepreneur and published author is passionate about books and professional development, and that's why she founded The Invisible Mentor and the Virtual Literary World Tour to give you your ideal mentors virtually in the palm of your hands by offering book reviews and book summaries, biographies of wise people and interviews of successful people.
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