Blog: Goodwill in Action

A self-made man looks at how he made it

2013-02-22T21:48:00+00:00

A self-made man looks at how he made it

Author John Scalzi reflects on the countless small acts of goodwill which can contribute to supporting everyone's path through life, and also on the crucial support which welfare systems supply.

Lives Forever Linked Through Kidney Transplant Chain 124

2012-02-24T20:56:34+00:00

Lives Forever Linked Through Kidney Transplant Chain 124. An inspiring example of sharing a vital resource intelligently using information technology and persistent commitment: a 60-person chain of kidney donors and recipients coordinated by the U.S. non-profit National Kidney Register.

The Reluctant Rebels

2012-01-26T18:24:51+00:00

The Reluctant Rebels. Ursula and Michael Sladek are award-winning green energy campaigners who are now at the forefront of Germany's new industrial revolution.

A courageous message

2011-09-21T18:55:15+00:00

Canadian Politician Jack Layton, who recently died of cancer, wrote this last letter to Canadians

Afghan community torn apart but not beaten by the Taliban

2011-09-21T18:32:59+00:00

Afghan community torn apart but not beaten by the Taliban - a story of resilience and creative leadership.

For Some With Autism, Jobs to Match Their Talents

2011-07-13T17:12:04+00:00

For Some With Autism, Jobs to Match Their Talents. Steen B. Iversen tests mobile phones for the Danish telecommunications firm TDC. Before landing his job two and a half years ago, Iversen, 50, who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, spent more than 12 years looking for work.

Iversen works for a remarkable Danish company, Specialisterne (“The Specialists”), that is improving the futures of many families by opening up job opportunities for people with Asperger’s Syndrome and high-functioning autism who have historically found themselves excluded from employment, largely because they don’t fit in with workplace norms.

Mogadishu mayor returns to London to ask for investment

2011-05-06T20:15:59+00:00

Mogadishu mayor returns to London to ask for investment. A former Londoner who is now the mayor of Mogadishu has returned to London to ask Somalis living here to invest in their homeland.

On his visit to the capital he addressed a meeting of the Somali community to ask them for investment and their help to rebuild Mogadishu, long seen as one of the most dangerous cities in the world.

Different types of heroism

2011-04-07T20:39:30+00:00

Different types of heroism. In the light of the recent disaster in Japan, a reflection on how the short term heroic actions of individuals can be compared with the long term efforts of groups to improve society.

craigconnects | Connecting the World for the Common Good

2011-03-24T17:38:38+00:00

craigconnects | Connecting the World for the Common Good. The founder of the well-known online advertising service, craigslist, is setting up an initiative to connect people of goodwill and support effective civil society organisations.

Egypt’s Muslims attend Coptic Christmas mass, serving as “human shields”

2011-02-18T20:35:59+00:00

Egypt's Muslims attend Coptic Christmas mass, serving as "human shields". In the days following the brutal attack on Saints Church in Alexandria, which left 21 dead on New Year’ eve, solidarity between Muslims and Copts saw an unprecedented peak. Millions of Egyptians changed their Facebook profile pictures to the image of a cross within a crescent – the symbol of an “Egypt for All”. Around the city, banners went up calling for unity, and depicting mosques and churches, crosses and crescents, together as one.

And on the 7th of January, Coptic Christmas eve, thousands of Muslims showed up at Christmas eve mass services in churches around the country and at candle light vigils held outside.