Believe and Never Give Up

Posted on January 24, 2013 by zoeweil

For my blog post today, I’m sharing a recent essay I wrote for Care2.com, an online community for people passionate about creating a better world. Here’s an excerpt from “Believe and Never Give Up”:

“… while the evidence is clear that we’re living in less violent times, we are simultaneously living in more dangerous times because we now have the capacity to cause so much irrevocable destruction of our planet. Climate change and habitat destruction are leading to the extinction of so many species that we may lose half of them by the end of this century. Nuclear weapons – tens of thousands of them – are a constant threat. A growing human population, all desirous of a better standard of living, could denude our planet.

And yet, never before have we had the capacity to collaborate and innovate with people across every border to solve our challenges. Anyone who says that we cannot feed the world through humane and sustainable agriculture; produce products ethically and sustainably; develop enough renewable energy to meet our needs; cure cancer and other diseases without animal experimentation; be safe without the war machine, or have thriving economies without endless growth in the GDP simply lacks imagination. This is why imagination, the capacity to envision solutions to our challenges, is the most essential ingredient in the complex recipe that will lead us closer to a peaceful, just, and healthy world. This is why it’s so critical that we nurture our children’s – and our own – imagination, our birthright as human beings.”

Read the complete essay.

~ Zoe

Zoe Weil, President, Institute for Humane Education
Author of Most Good, Least Harm, Above All, Be Kind, and The Power and Promise of Humane Education
My TEDxConejo talk: “Solutionaries”
My TEDxDirigo talk: “The World Becomes What You Teach“
My TEDxYouth@BFS “Educating for Freedom”

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“Man” is Missing a Better Vision for Humanity

Posted on January 10, 2013 by zoeweil

This animated viral video has been circulating on the Internet. It’s entitled “Man” (a dismaying title in an era where sexist language should have faded into oblivion), and it depicts the cruel, destructive manner in which humanity has lived on the Earth. As I watched it, I found myself so eager to see how this animation would demonstrate the transformation we can, and must, experience to fix the messes we’ve created and right the wrongs we’ve perpetrated. No such luck. We just become the victims of even more powerful aliens. No utopian vision this.

In various talks and workshops over the past year, I’ve been speaking about a different reality than what this video demonstrates: a reality in which we are living in less violent, discriminatory, and cruel times; a reality painstakingly researched and described by Steven Pinker in his book, The Better Angels of our Nature. Many don’t believe this reality is actually true, given the horrors in the world: a continuing slave trade, sex trafficking, and gender discrimination; the frightening despoiling of nature; the massive abuse and killing of more than one trillion animals each year, and more; yet it is true.

So as I watched this animated film, I found myself thinking how behind the times it was; how dystopian, when what we need right now are visionary ideas and examples of solutionaries doing the important work that lies ahead. But I do hope you will watch this video anyway, and then construct your own ending, one in which we build a humane and healthy world for all.

~ Zoe

Zoe Weil, President, Institute for Humane Education
Author of Most Good, Least Harm, Above All, Be Kind, and The Power and Promise of Humane Education
My TEDxConejo talk: “Solutionaries”
My TEDxDirigo talk: “The World Becomes What You Teach“
My TEDxYouth@BFS “Educating for Freedom”

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What Can We Do When Children Cannot Imagine a Better World?

Posted on January 7, 2013 by zoeweil
Image courtesy of Tom Hickmore via Creative Commons.

For my blog post today, I’m sharing a recent essay I wrote for Care2.com, an online community for people passionate about creating a better world. Here’s an excerpt from “What Can We Do When Children Cannot Imagine a Better World?”:

“I recently spoke to the middle school students at an alternative, independent, progressive school. I talked first to the 5th and 6th graders and next to the 7th and 8th graders. As I often do when I give presentations, I opened my talk by asking the kids what they thought were the biggest problems in the world. Like every group, their lists included such topics as global warming, poverty and war, along with many other issues.

Then I asked a question I hadn’t ever posed before. I asked if they could imagine a world without these problems. Only three children out of 40 raised their hands. I was stunned. These are children. Children are blessed with active imaginations, yet these kids couldn’t imagine a world without a laundry list of terrible problems and crises.”

Read the complete essay.

~ Zoe

Zoe Weil, President, Institute for Humane Education
Author of Most Good, Least Harm, Above All, Be Kind, and The Power and Promise of Humane Education
My TEDxConejo talk: “Solutionaries”
My TEDxDirigo talk: “The World Becomes What You Teach“
My TEDxYouth@BFS “Educating for Freedom”

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Star Trek, William Shatner, And a Humane World for All

Posted on May 16, 2012 by zoeweil
Image courtesy of JD Hancock via Creative Commons.

For my blog post today, I’m sharing a recent post I wrote for Care2.com, an online community for people passionate about creating a better world. Here’s an excerpt from “Star Trek, William Shatner, and a Humane World for All”:

“In my TEDx talk, I ponder the Star Trek phenomenon. There’s no easy explanation for the enduring power of a TV show from the 60s that got cancelled after three years; for the millions of fans; for the continued success of Star Trek in its many permutations; for any of it. But for me, the power of Star Trek lies in its profound hopefulness and its vision of an essentially peaceful and healthy human society in which we’ve become explorers without being conquerors, in which we treat other species with respect and care and where our curiosity is endlessly fulfilled with adventure and discovery and an aversion to harm. Star Trek makes me optimistic about our future. If we can envision such a world, surely we can create it.”

Read the complete essay.

For a humane world,

Zoe Weil, President, Institute for Humane Education
Author of Most Good, Least Harm, Above All, Be Kind, and The Power and Promise of Humane Education
My TEDx talk: “The World Becomes What You Teach“

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Hold the Straw…and Other Tips for a Humane & Sustainable Life

Posted on March 29, 2012 by zoeweil
Image courtesy of eschipul via Creative Commons.

For my blog post today, I’m sharing a recent post I wrote for One Green Planet, a website dedicated to ethical choices. Here’s an excerpt from “Hold the Straw…and Other Tips for a Humane & Sustainable Life”:

“Almost every time I eat out these days, the ubiquitous glass of water comes with a straw in it. Although I’m in the habit of asking for my water without a straw, about 25% of the time, this request is forgotten, and I get the straw anyway. And it’s everything I can do not to let this seemingly small act impact my mood. I look around me at the people at my table, as well as at every other table, and try to do the math in my head. How much oil is procured to make just a day’s worth of disposable plastic straws? How many are then thrown out each day? What percentage are incinerated? Landfilled? Wind up in waterways?

I realize plastic straws are a tiny drop in the bucket of pollution, but they represent just one of the plethora of destructive habits that we unconsciously engage in daily.”

Read the complete essay.

For a humane world,

Zoe Weil, President, Institute for Humane Education
Author of Most Good, Least Harm, Above All, Be Kind, and The Power and Promise of Humane Education
My TEDx talk: “The World Becomes What You Teach“

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The Importance of Humane Education in 2 Minutes

Posted on October 31, 2011 by zoeweil
I was recently asked by a potential funder to give my best 2-minute statement for why someone should support the work of the Institute for Humane Education (IHE).

I really need 10 minutes, and even then I’m not doing justice to the complexity of global issues that humane education helps to solve; the many ways in which IHE prepares people to be humane educators, provides humane education, and promotes the field itself; or the profound impact humane education has on people of all ages who learn about the grave challenges of our time and become solutionaries for a better world. I have hundreds of testimonials from people of all ages who’ve said that IHE has changed their lives for the better and enabled them to become changemakers. But if you need to raise money to do good work, you have to be able to tell busy people why they should support you, and you have to be able to do it succinctly, often in just two minutes.

I feel like my best effort at explaining the power and promise of humane education came in my TEDx talk, The World Becomes What You Teach, and judging by the response it has gotten, others agree; but when I only have 2 minutes, it’s too long.

So here’s my pared-down, 2-minute pitch for supporting humane education and our work at IHE:

Why is humane education important?

1.    The world needs it: We face grave and escalating challenges. Our planet is warming, our population is growing, our resources are dwindling, and half of all species are threatened with extinction by century’s end. Given these and other global problems, humane education is paramount so that we graduate a generation with the knowledge, tools, and motivation to address growing threats and to create just, healthy, and restorative systems.

2.    Schools need it: Schools that incorporate humane education into their mission and curricula prepare students to solve problems rather than perpetuate them. Humane education enables schools to graduate solutionaries who are able to use the foundational tools of literacy, numeracy, and critical and creative thinking as engaged citizens and problem-solvers.

3.    Students need it: Students deserve an education that is relevant and meaningful to their lives and future. As one 11th grader said after I gave a humane education presentation at her school: “We should have been learning this since Kindergarten!“

Why is the Institute for Humane Education important?

1.    IHE offers the only comprehensive humane education graduate programs in North America. The more people that IHE trains who can bring humane education into every educational setting, the more solutionaries there will be to solve our pressing challenges.

2.    IHE develops and offers award-winning free online resources to people across the globe who use them in classrooms, board rooms, and living rooms, bringing humane education to the world.

3.    IHE changes lives through online courses, workshops, books, and presentations. As David Berman, who took my first week-long humane education course in 1987 when he was 13 years old, said recently: “That course changed my life!” He in turn has changed many other lives.

Humane education is a profoundly effective way to create a better world. I hope you will consider donating to our 15th anniversary “Creating the Future” campaign to help this work spread. Also, I encourage you to experience humane education for yourself by participating in one of our online courses. Or perhaps you’re ready to be a fully-trained humane educator and want to get your master’s degree through our online accredited program. And no matter where you are or what you are doing in the world, please avail yourself of our free activities and bring humane education to your community.

For a humane world,

Zoe

Zoe Weil, President, Institute for Humane Education
Author of Most Good, Least Harm, Above All, Be Kind, and The Power and Promise of Humane Education
My TEDx talk: “The World Becomes What You Teach“

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Everyone Can Be an Activist: Pairing Your Passion & Skills for a Better World

Posted on August 24, 2011 by zoeweil

For many of us, the image of an activist is an angry, sign-toting, slogan-chanting protester. Those are the activists the media often portrays. But there are many different ways to be an activist – that is, someone active on behalf of others, a changemaker. If the opposite of an activist is one who is passive, then all who endeavor to create a better world, rather than passively accepting the status quo, are activists.

When I expanded my own definition of activism, and discovered a way to mix my passions and talents in service to a greater good, I was able to give more than I’d imagined. Each of us can assess our talents and passions, and find the place where they meet. Here are 4 questions that can help you direct your life toward choices that are not only deeply fulfilling to you but which will make a difference for others.

  1. What issues or problems most concern you? Beyond your family and friends, who and what do you care most about?
  2. What skills and talents do you have that could be combined with your concerns to enable you to make a difference?
  3. What specific steps could you take to bring your talents and concerns together to achieve your goals?
  4. If you are already an activist or changemaker, are you best using your time and talents to make sure that you are as effective as you can be? What might you be doing that would better utilize your skills and maximize your impact?

If we realize that we have talents and experiences that we can bring to bear, and if we then witness the good that can come when our skills are appropriately focused, we also discover the joy that comes in solving entrenched problems.

(This is excerpted from my book, Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life.)

Zoe Weil, President, Institute for Humane Education
Author of Most Good, Least Harm, Above All, Be Kind, and The Power and Promise of Humane Education
My TEDx talk: “The World Becomes What You Teach“

Want support in pairing your passion and skills? Find the freedom, support, tools, and motivation you need to bring more joy, balance and satisfaction to your life and to make a positive difference in the world through IHE’s month-long online course, A Better World, A Meaningful Life. Sessions start September 2, October 3 and November 4. Sign up now!

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A Better World, A Meaningful Life – A Transformative Online Course

Posted on August 5, 2011 by zoeweil

In September, October, and November, the Institute for Humane Education, will be offering its 4-week online course, A Better World, A Meaningful Life. For my blog post today I wanted to share just some of what participants have written about this inspiring and life-changing course.

People often wonder how an online course, without in-person contact with fellow participants and the instructor, can be so very meaningful and transformative. The combination of daily exercises and activities (about 30-60 minutes/day for 5 days each week), and an online forum to discuss the experiences with fellow participants around the globe at your leisure simply works.

Here’s what a few participants have said:

“This class has been life changing. It has given me more to think about than what I can probably digest in a year. Hopefully it will be a lifetime pursuit. I have promised myself that I will continue to research, consider and challenge myself to be more MOGO every day. This class has prompted me to get off my complacent derrière and be more active. I have also been convinced that if I add amazing, important things to my life (volunteerism, activism…) it will not add to my feeling overwhelmed, but it will actually bring centeredness and vitality.” ~ Deb Kingston

“THANK YOU!! I am a happier, more balanced, and more fulfilled person than a month ago, and I feel that this is just the beginning!”~ Estela Diaz Carmona

“I have learned so much from everyone in this course! I have learned that sharing knowledge is so powerful and when you share with others instead of keeping your knowledge to yourself you have no idea what impact you may have on others. I am grateful to have been a part of a community of sharing and respect through this course.” ~Jen Baille

“It has changed the way I think, definitely. I feel kinder, a deeper humanity towards everyone. I’m more aware of issues and what I can do to benefit people, animals and the environment, in the everyday choices I make. It has had a massive effect on me. Fantastic. The exercises, the organisation of the course, online support/course advisers were all excellent. I would wholeheartedly recommend it.” ~ Lee Anne Chapman

“Thank you all for a wonderful experience…..how fortunate we all are to have a lively, learned, compassionate discussion with open hearts and minds. It is too rare. It fills me up! Thank you for all you’ve taught me!”~ Courtney Lowery

Learn more and register for an upcoming session.

Zoe Weil, President, Institute for Humane Education
Author of Most Good, Least Harm, Above All, Be Kind, and The Power and Promise of Humane Education
My TEDx talk: “The World Becomes What You Teach“

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Humane Education & Star Trek: Envisioning a Better World for All: My Interview on Conversations with Maine

Posted on April 15, 2011 by zoeweil

I’m delighted to share my interview with Frank Ferrel, host of Conversations With Maine, which recently aired on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. We talked about humane education, the MOGO Principle, my family, Star Trek, the work that I do on behalf of the Institute for Humane Education, and the challenges and joys of making choices that do the most good and least harm for all:

If you enjoy this interview and think it’s valuable, please share it with others so that they can learn more about humane education and the power in the choices that we all have to create a better world. I welcome your comments, as well.

Zoe Weil, President, Institute for Humane Education
Author of Most Good, Least Harm and Above All, Be Kind: Raising a Humane Child in Challenging Times
My TEDx talk: “The World Becomes What You Teach“

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Filed under: animal protection, citizen activism, critical thinking, Environmental Preservation, human rights, humane education, Institute for Humane Education, Interviews, mindfulness, MOGO (Most Good), systemic change, videos, Zoe Weil appearances | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Rubbing Elbows with Solutionaries: Green Festival San Francisco

Posted on April 13, 2011 by zoeweil

I’ve just returned from California where I had the opportunity to speak at the University of California at Berkeley (a MOGO talk) and on the main stage at the San Francisco Green Festival (a humane education talk). In my absence the ice melted (finally) from our pond, and the crocuses bloomed. Much can happen in just a few days.

While the pond was thawing and the crocuses were blooming, I was talking to scores of people interested in creating a better world. There were so many ideas from so many solutionaries, and I’ve come home with a stack of cards from people I want to work with and learn from. I even got to interview a few of them for Treehugger (and you can watch some of these interviews on Treehugger.com starting here). In the next several blog posts I’m going to talk about these different people and groups and share their ideas, so that together we can expand our reach and efforts.

I’m grateful for the opportunities I had this past weekend, and I’m also grateful to be back in Maine. My first flight home was delayed so I missed my connection in Detroit and had to spend the night at a Detroit hotel. While at first I was frustrated and negative, I realized just how lucky I was to have a bed to sleep in and food to eat, even if I got home a day late. Lessons like that are important, especially after a weekend in the city walking by dozens of people huddled under blankets on the streets; especially when the crises we’re trying to avert claim the lives of millions; especially when I’ve been privileged to do work that helps, surrounded by amazing changemakers.

Stay tuned for more,

Zoe Weil, President, Institute for Humane Education
Author of Most Good, Least Harm
My TEDx talk: “The World Becomes What You Teach“

Image courtesy of Green Festival.

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Filed under: changemakers, Environmental Preservation, humane education, MOGO (Most Good), Zoe Weil appearances | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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