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Empowering a Sustainable Future- Starting with Women
Opportunity & Impact With 1.3 billion people, and developing rapidly, the trends that take root in China--and the choices of China's leadership--could determine the future of our ever smaller global village. Empowerment Works is doing its part by inspiring sustainability in the hearts and minds of China's future women leaders. From Nov. 15 through Dec. 15, 2009, in partnership with the World Academy for the Future of Women, Empowerment Works launched its 7 Stages to Sustainability (7SS) curriculum with 90+ of China's most dedicated young women at Sias International University in Henan, China. “7 Stages to Sustainability guides us to act and measure our results”
– 7SS Student World Academy for the Future of Women 2009
“Without 7 Stages, I would not know how to do what is in my heart”
– 7SS Student, World Academy for the Future of Women 2009
The World Academy for the Future of Women (WAFW) is an innovative and rigorous, year-long women's leadership training program of Global Interactions advancing the Millennium Development Goals (including universal primary education, a sustainable environment, & halving poverty by 2015). 7 Stages to Sustainability (7SS) - provides students a roadmap for turning local problems into solutions. With 7SS as their tool kit, students will implement a social or environmental project addressing the issues that most affect their communities and world - from abandoned child care, tree planting, river restoration, to early child education. Providing the core community development content (Module 3 of 8) as a 4-week course in its first year -2009/2010, 7SS will remain within the WAFW Curriculum for years to come, in China, and as WAFW expands to Universty campuses across the globe. Full Circle Inspiration While the past 9 years of Empowerment Works have focused on Africa and the US, the catalyst for Melanie's global career was in fact, a 1994 semester abroad in China. (Left) Dr. Peter Haslund & Melanie (one of 27 students on his 1994 China trip via Santa Barbara City College) reunite at a Model UN event in Santa Barbara. Dr. Haslund is wearing a sweatshirt from Shandong University in China where he has led delegations for over 20 years. The unexpected opportunity (thanks to a recommendation from EW supporter) to return to China, fifteen years later TO TEACH, not only marks a new global chapter for EW, but the 2nd chance of a lifetime - which it was. Special thanks to Jeff & Karen Weigel, Jadie On, Holly Mosher, & Brad Vizi for their support in making it happen. To support phase 2 of 7SS curriculum development including development of education tool kit and video, please send tax-deductible donations (Checks/ MO) to: Empowerment Works, 1801 Lincoln Blvd. #138, Venice, CA. Contact us to learn more / get involved! Tel: 310-392-6909 |
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