Online petitions are one of those things I do just in case they actually work. Well, last week, I received an email from Avaaz.org, telling me a great story that happened to one of those I signed about climate change. This is encouraging and I'm hooked.

To make a long story short, it was handed to the environment ministers of G8 countries last March 19. They were planning for their big G8 powwow this June. Avaaz campaigner Iain Keith described his experience after he gave a short speech and as he handed the petition of 100,000 in:

" I handed the petition to the German environment minister, Sigmar Gabriel. The meeting continued, with speeches on other issues from other organizations. I wondered if all of the work had been worth it... And then came Minister Gabriel's closing speech.

I could hardly believe it: he was saying that climate change must be the number one priority at the G8 summit. And he was holding our petition.

"Thanks to increased pressure from people around the world," he said, "the tide is turning. When an international NGO can gather this many signatures" (here he holds up the petition), "we cannot ignore this problem anymore... As Environmental ministers, we have a responsibility both to the environment and our voters to make sure our heads of state act!"

And a few days later, German Chancellor and G8 President Angela Merkel vowed to put climate change at the top of the agenda for the G8 Leaders Summit."


While the levels of internet access across social strata and across countries vary considerably, I would say this is a cheerful little example of democracy. It's way more dynamic than non-digital petitions or policy suggestions, because it responds quicker and there is end-user interaction and feedback. Nice!

(The post below will be published in the February 2007 edition of the YSDA Monthly.)

Our generation knows interconnectedness better than any before us. It is safe to bet that the next one will feel it even more keenly.

Soviet political leader Mikhail Gorbachev, in 2005, said he believes that the world today “faces three interrelated challenges: the challenge of security, including the risks associated with weapons of mass destruction and terrorism; the challenge of poverty and underdevelopment; and the challenge of environmental sustainability.”

Interrelated is right! Increasingly, the problems we face take on social, environmental, economic, and spiritual dimensions, and cannot be solved by a singular analysis or approach. A logging problem is no longer just that-- it has to do with lack of livelihood, lack of research for alternative building materials, land reform, opportunity disparity, buying habits of persons from city centers or importing countries, corruption, and a whole lot of politics. A traffic problem is made up of, at the same time, infrastructure corruption, improper zoning, lack of emphasis on public transportation, international oil politics, weird national subsidy, vehicle taxation, improper technological adaptations. And more! Those who ignore the multi-faceted nature of things run the risk of failure or obsolescence.

To complicate things further (or to make them more interesting), human beings are increasingly forming global networks of trade, communication, commerce and intellectual exchange. People and ideas have never been more mobile. At the same time, we are realizing that even physical problems (i.e. China's pollution, global warming) cannot be contained within national borders, and we are increasingly hearing the statement “all politics is global”. In today's world, no island is an island, if you know what I mean!

Scary? Not really. It's just change, and it's happening fast. One of the main advantages of integration is that we are able to determine the costs of problems on different or macro levels. For instance, once you see air pollution as an environmental, health, social and business problem, you are able to judge its total cost-- not just on biodiversity, but also on public and private health expenses, quality of life effect especially on the disadvantaged, and on commercial losses due to inefficiency or unfavorable consumer behavior-- and you are able to view these costs across nations.

What does this mean for young people like us? Below are some tips for those of us who want to make a difference in this Age of Interconnectedness.

Be a systems thinker. Think of issues in terms of systems and their inextricably connected aspects. Approach all problems this way. The issue you are tackling may just be a “symptom” of a greater systemic problem. Though they are also important to address, you must not lose sight of more long-term solutions.

Cooperation is a must. As we begin to analyze problems in holistic perspectives, it is important to remember that we cannot tackle all issues ourselves. Develop your unique capacity, and then search out those who can complement your strengths. For instance, if you are working on a water pollution problem in an overpopulated area, try to work with an organization doing reproductive health. Cooperation pushes for maximum results by attacking problems from different angles.

Jump on the idea superhighway. Never lose the drive to learn about issues, concepts, experiences, and ideas. First time doing a certain kind of project? There is less excuse for you to fail these days! You can use the internet to research on similar efforts, possible complications you might encounter, and tips for success. You might also want to look for groups from other parts of the country or world who share common problems, and brainstorm together through email or chat. Stay on top of the latest global innovations and strategies and localize them! Also...

Broadcast yourself. Start a blog, website, or even just a social networking account on sites like Multiply or Friendster. They tell people who you are and makes you easy to find, and are also a chance for you to update your peers on the issues they should know about, in their language. If you are doing great work, let the world know about it and teach them the secrets of your success. YSDA members can start their own website free of charge and post their events on the network website.

Synchronize. Lend your voice to larger movements (or start one of them!). Join alliances and networks and contribute your organization's unique viewpoint. Check out global targets like the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and work with the international community towards relevant common objectives.