STIR Sub-Editors
It’s hard STIRRING on your own. The world today is so complex – how can we make sense of it all and change it for the better?
For 2010, we've enlisted a squad of STIR Sub-Editors to explore the big and small issues facing the world, let's meet them...
Meet Amy - STIR Subby
Meet Amy. She's 18 and lives in Tassie.She's crazily busy with her VGen State Director duties here in Tassie- "What an awesome way to fill in my time though!" she says.
Amy is STIRRED by the fact that there are still people who don't know what the Millenium Development Goals, fair trade, or 0.7 are.
How can we expect to eradicate extreme poverty if we do not first educate every single person?
We need to work together on this issue in order to be successful.
Her goal?
To one day not have a job in her chosen field, to not have her children volunteer with VGen, because it no longer needs to exist.
Meet Caitlin - STIR Subby
Meet Caitlin.I’m studying a Bachelor of Global Studies at the University of Technology, Sydney. I major in French and Communications (Journalism).
I love writing – especially pieces that cause people to think outside the box! I’m off to Ghana in July for a month which is completely daunting but SO exciting to!
What STIRS you?:
I believe that I was SO blessed to be born in Australia – a country where food, money, shelter and education is taken for granted so I’m definitely stirred by the fact that we have a very powerful and privileged platform to stand on and end social injustice and poverty for good!
I don’t think any Australian has an excuse for not standing up and making a difference!
My dream is to see every child receive an education – as this is such a powerful weapon for curing the poverty that is so rampant in our world today.
Meet Daniel - STIR Subby
Meet Daniel.
He's from Melbourne and just finished a Masters of Arts in International Relations, specialising in Human Rights and International Law.
But don't let that scare you, he's a passionate and active stirrer who takes any opportunity to raise awareness of poverty, injustice and inequality amongst his friends, family and co-workers.
Here's his articles...
Meet Emily E - STIR Subby
Meet Emily."Well, as I have just graduated school I have had to let go of some very special people and projects.
Currently, my focus is on educating myself and community development. I believe that education is the key to making effective decisions, especially when it comes to the alleviation of poverty and fair-trade, so I am reading up, and talking to as many people as I can in order to equip myself for the upcoming year.
A lot of my time is also spent at my church, spending time with kids who come from disadvantaged families in one of Brissy’s poorest suburbs, by investing my time into the running of our youth program."
Check out her articles...
Meet Emma J - STIR Subby
Meet Emma. She's 22 and a person with too many ideas and too little time… but life is short, so why not make the most of it?!"I work full time as an Outside School Hours Care Co-ordinator, study part-time (Special Education) at UQ and work to Make Poverty History as much as I can in my spare time! I love laughing, singing, learning, travelling, reading, and spending time with all the fantastic people in the world."
What STIRS you?:
"I would like to inspire and empower all people to recognise that each of us can make a difference. If you’re really passionate – you can succeed at anything.
I campaigner for fair trade, peace, equality in education, debt reduction, gender equality, the development of global partnerships and an ecologically sustainable world… amongst many other things!"
Meet Jacki - STIR Subby
Meet Jacki."I'm currently living out my dream, studying Medicine at Monash University. It's a challenge (especially dissecting bodies...ew!), but I one day hope to use my skills to work in a disadvangated area, be it in Australia or overseas. I grew up in Warrnambool, and moved to Melbourne last year.
What STIRS you?
"I'm stirred by apathy. I hate to see people content to stand by whilst others suffer. If you can make a difference, you should. What's more, it is a privilege to be able to make that difference. I am stirred by ignorance. I think we all have a responsibility to LIVE in the world around us, rather than thinking only of ourselves.
Of the slavery, poverty and crime that penetrates our society, how can we be content to say, "I never knew"? However, most of all, I am stirred by other people's passion. The inspiration of those who do care, and who are working to make a difference. It gives me hope, and drives me to do more."
Meet Lucy - STIR Subby
Meet Lucy."I was born and bred in Sydney but after the HSC I moved to Germany for a year and the travel bug has had the better of me ever since. Most recently I travelled to Mexico to volunteer in an orphanage and live la vida Mexicana!
I’m currently finishing my media degree at Macquarie University with an Honours year in Radio Production which I should complete by July, fingers crossed.
I work as a barista, but I prefer to drink tea. I read everything. I love languages. That’s me."
What STIRS you?
"I am passionate about addressing the issues surrounding poverty and fair-trade, including in our Indigenous communities. I don’t believe that anyone should be denied an education or risk not reaching five years old because of where they happen to be born.
The smallest action can start a chain-reaction for change."
Meet Mel - STIR Subby
Meet Mel."When I'm not caught up in working and studying towards a specialty in child and youth health nursing, you'll find me
a) tucked away in a cute cafe,
b) cycling down one very cool bikeway through Bris,
c) belting out a few tunes on the piano, or
d) with a friend in the travel agent's office as we plan (more like dream) future adventures far and wide!
What STIRS you?
"Thinking globally and acting locally. For a long while I'd been moved by the stories of the crippling effects of poverty, especially on children and young people... but it was a weak compassion that never translated into any real action.
What STIRS me is learning how to use the skills, abilities and resources God's given me to work for change in the lives of children and young people in whatever community I find myself living in - whether that be rural Queensland, inner-city Brisbane, or in a poor Lao village... wherever I am, to see children and young people be healthy and whole in every area of their life."
Meet Rachael - STIR Subby
Meet Rach."I currently work for World Vision in the Corporate Partnerships team, and am heading overseas in June to work as a camp counselor in the US teaching photography!
I finished uni last year, with a Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication) at RMIT.
I enjoy writing, singing, all kinds of music, reading, cooking, hanging out with friends and of course doing whatever I can to advocate and speak out for those who need our help."
What STIRS you?
"We're part of a generation who can actually do something about eradicating extreme poverty. Other generations before us have talked about it, but we now have the opportunity and the responsibility to do something.
It’s really exciting that so many people feel this way and want to work hard to help those suffering. But we can always use more help and I think part of our responsibility to those in poor communities is make sure they have as people as they can fighting and speaking out for them.
And that’s our job as Stirrers! Exciting!"
Meet Siobhan - STIR Subby
Meet Siobhan.I study primary education and child and family studies at Griffith University, Queensland.
I have experience in the refugee settlement sector and currently workly as child with special needs as a carer/tutor.
I also write for a magazine called lip.
I enjoy incense and music.
Absolutely adore pumpkin soup.
What STIRS you?
"People who are ignorant and/or feel superior.
We are all human beings and therefore deserve rights and should strive for a better life full of natural quality and opportunities.
This is what we all deserve, and this is what I'm prepared to fight for, not only for me but for anyone who I am able to reach out to in my years. "
