Steve Cole
Rockcorps
Rockcorps
Using music and culture to inspire action. The only way to get a ticket is to volunteer.
Transcript
On this Interdependence Day, September 24, my hopeful story is about an organisation called Rockcorps. I've heard founder Stephen Greene speak a few times recently and I am blown away by their work. According to their website, Rockcorps uses music as a catalyst for social change, bringing together people from all walks of life to work hand in hand toward a more united and supportive society. So the way it works is that to get a ticket for an unbelievable concert organised by Rockcorps and a global sponsor, you have to volunteer at least four hours of your time to a civic project. At a recent gig in Paris, thousands received their tickets to see Macklemore, Franglish, and Ronisia, and as a result, 124 organisations around Paris benefited from the help of the volunteers. An amazing hopeful story with other projects spinning off it.
Arts and Culture
audio
The Kyoto play
The Kyoto play
Good Chance Theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Company have joined forces to produce a stunning production called Kyoto
Transcript
Good Chance theater are behind stunning creative productions such as the Jungle and The Walk With The Mill. But it is their new play Kyoto co-produced with the Royal Shakespeare Company that has blown Me away and is my story of hopefulness. It's a play that tells the story of a miraculous agreement when in 1997 100 and 80 or so nations agreed to combat climate change. My hope is not the agreement itself. A lot has happened since then. But around the art of storytelling and the unique power of theater and art to bring issues into the light, to call out injustice, to creatively show the workings of opposing forces that continue to happen in the shadows of every conference. Kyoto is also exhilarating and is a powerful reminder that against all the odds, agreement is possible.
Arts and Culture
audio
The Blue Marine Foundation
The Blue Marine Foundation
Ocean conservation and the book Rewilding the sea by Charles Clover.
Transcript
My hopeful story this week is the amazing work of the Blue Marine Foundation, whose mission is to see at least 30% of the world's ocean under effective protection by 2030 and the other 70% managed in a responsible way. For a hopeful and insightful read, I would recommend the book Rewilding the Sea by Charles Clover, who is the co-founder of the Blue Marine Foundation. The book celebrates what happens when we step aside and let nature repair the damage. One of the projects he writes about is the Lyme Bay Reserve Project in the UK, where in the last decade there has been a measurable revival of marine habitats, rare species and many fish stocks. There is far to go, but there are signs of hope as we increasingly let nature do its thing.
Climate and Environment
audio
The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN)
The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN)
Enabling refugees to thrive through the power of their own ideas.
Transcript
I'd love to give a shout-out to the brilliant work of the entrepreneurial refugee network, or TERN. They are a social enterprise and community with a mission to enable refugees to thrive through the power of their own ideas. TERN provides business support and services, and since it started, over 500 entrepreneurs have been supported. Their goal is to launch 2000 refugee-led businesses by 2025. If you're looking for gift ideas at this time of year, I recommend you check out their online store called ANQA where you find a range of products that are all created by refugee entrepreneurs. TERN is one of a number of organisations in this space that reminds us that within communities of displacement is not only incredible resilience and persistence but also entrepreneurial potential and world-changing ideas. So turn is my hopeful story today
Civic Engagement
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99p films
99p films
99p films organise community events that raises awareness of social and environmental issues through short doc films, discussion and communal feasts
Transcript
I want to give a shout out to Alex Fish and 99 P films. I had the joy of attending one of their events before Good Fest last week, and I think what they're doing is both hopeful and disruptive on so many levels. They are based out of Falmouth in Cornwall, UK. And organise community events that raise awareness of social and environmental issues through short documentary films, discussion and communal feasts using local produce. 99 P from every ticket goes directly to local filmmakers. But there are so many people who benefit, including students, farmers, chefs and wellness practitioners, a really hopeful and inspiring community interest company, so check it out.
Arts and Culture
audio