Youths Addressing Critical Global Issues
35000 Kms: Youths Addressing Critical Global Issues
The Pole to Pole Leadership Institute, founded by a Canadian Adventure Leader and Inspirational speaker Martyn Williams, was set up to inspire the youth of today to stand up and be leaders within their communities whilst addressing the critical issues of our time, such as poverty, AIDS, Fair Trade, critical wildlife management. The Institute is currently calling for applicants aged 18-28 to apply for a South to North Pole human-powered journey.
What does the
South to North Pole human powered journey involve?
One
team of 12 international youth will ski Antarctica, sail to
Africa, and bicycle and hike Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa. The
second team will take over from the summit, and continue on
into Europe, Russia and finally to the Artic. “The journey
will take 18 months” William says, “and nobody ever comes
back the same from something like this.” This is the second
journey of this nature for Williams, after completing Pole
to Pole 2000 with a group of 8 international youth. Over 800
young people have already applied from over 50 countries, so
the momentum is gathering fast!
What voluntary work will
the young people do?
The way Pole to Pole is reaching
these youth, is through a seemingly cool HUMAN-POWERED
ODYSSEY, from the South Pole to the North via Africa. This
expedition is a world-first and is inspirational on anyone's
standards. The fact that youth are the expedition team shows
other youth WHAT IS ACHIEVABLE when you put your mind, heart
and soul into something that you believe in. This is the
second journey of this nature, and the first was a great
success!!! Two teams of 12 international youths will
traverse a hemisphere each. Mt Kilimanjaro's summit will be
the changeover point. This team will be followed by a
documentary crew that will give on-going global webcasts and
coverage.
More Youth will volunteer their time on community projects in Africa such as: establishing fresh water wells for consumption and crop production (“Africa reported a total of 108 067 cases, accounting for 96% of the global notified cholera cases” (Weekly Epidemiological Record, 2004). Cholera, being a classic water-borne disease), building orphanages for children with AIDS (“By 2003 15 million children under 18 had been orphaned by HIV/AIDS worldwide. About 12 million of these live in sub-Saharan Africa, and it is expected that this number will have risen to more than 18 million by 2010.” www.avert.org/aidsorphans.htm) , critical wildlife habitat projects, Fair Trade coffee education, solar oven and computer distribution and education. Others will work with youth in Europe educating about volunteering within their communities, helping those less fortunate than themselves and recycling. Thousands of schools will be visited. The expedition team will pass through these projects helping the local teams, whilst showing visually what work is being achieved, to the world youth and public.
Even more youth, will travel through Europe and North America offering half day courses to over 4000 schools. During these activities the youth will learn the value of service, the key elements of teamwork, and the power of leadership.
These 3 groups of youth, together form the overall wider picture of the Pole to Pole Leadership Institute. Their interaction with each other, will be a fundamental part of the success of the project.
How can I find out more?
Both the Trek and
Advanced team’s stories and journals will be available
on-line for these youth and others worldwide. These will
offer inspiration to many thousands, if not millions of
youth worldwide, and challenge them to think of these
current, critical global issues.
Can I get
involved?
You too can play a part in this ever growing
global community for change. The webpage has ALL the
necessary information. Also you can read more from me by
“Search for an Applicant”. Each applicant is asked to find
ten sponsors contributing US$25 each, and therefore the
community grows. Applications close on August 5th, 2006. If
you have any questions please direct them to
jon_earle@yahoo.com
Go the Extra Mile!!!
This is part
of what I am currently doing. Each applicant can find the
donations from 10 supporting members and be eligible for
selection. Or you can choose to “Go the extra mile” and find
5 more FULL applicants, each having found their own
donations. It is about bringing together a community of
people. If you find these applicants, you will receive a
direct entry to the Canadian selection week in
September.
“Joining a Pole to Pole Journey is not about
the experience you already have. It’s about putting your
heart and commitment into a team, into yourself, and into
making a difference in this world. It is about the
experience, you will gain and the impact you will have.”
Pole to Pole Website. www.poletopoleleadership.com
or a
direct link to my page with photos on it
at:
http://www.poletopoleleadership.com/site/TR?px=1025222&pg=personal&fr_id=1030&s_tafId=1060
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