GSCNC Goes Global

Your Source for all things Global and Girl Scouting at GSCNC.

As our world becomes more globalized, we want to make sure you are educated, aware and engaged, so that you can be more prepared to connect and take action on issues of peace-building.  Check out some local one time events and on-going opportunities below on ways to learn more about global issues, connect with other cultures, and travel within and outside your communities.  You can also find out more information about global opportunities through WAGGGS and GSUSA. 

One Time Events 

None at this time.

On-Going Opportunities

International Year of the Youth
August 2010-August 2011
WAGGGS has teamed up with the UN to support the International Year of the Youth.  The United Nations has proclaimed the International Year of Youth starting on International Youth Day, August 12, 2010, and calls governments and civil society worldwide to support activities at local and international levels to mark the event. Under the theme Dialogue and Mutual Understanding, the Year aims to encourage and support young people to foster progress, including the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  Find out what you can do to participate: http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/news/20417

Global Advocacy Workshops
*Stay Tuned!*
This summer (July 2010), Girl Scout teens learned about global issues connected to the Millennium Development Goals through a series of workshops with global practitioners from Ashoka, US Institute of Peace, Care Intl, and more, and explored ways to take action to make a difference for their fellow sisters around the world during a culminating advocacy training.  In connection with the United Nations Millennium Campaign's Stand Up And Take Action initiative and the WAGGGS' Heartbeat for Girls initiative, the girls recorded an inspiring take action message that you can check out here: http://gscnc.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/girl-scouts-stand-up-for-poverty/

More advocacy workshops will be schedule during the school year, so keep checking back!  Some of the films from the summer workshops are available for troop check-out - see film listing below!


Complete the *brand new* 2010 Girl Scouts Global Action patch.  The Girl Scouts Global Action patch, developed in partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), is an exciting and enriching way for Girl Scout Daisies to Ambassadors to participate in realizing the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which aim to reduce extreme poverty and impact major world concerns by 2015. By earning the Global Action patch, girls can learn, in a fun and educational way, about serious global issues affecting girls, young women, and their communities. Each Girl Scout who completes activities will join in WAGGGS' international movement of 10 million girls who together are sowing the seeds of social change. The Global Action patch offers girls an opportunity to advocate for themselves and others, both locally and globally-one of the five national Take Action outcomes detailed in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

Participation activities for Daisies to Ambassadors are online, and the patch is available for purchase at Girl Scouts shops.


Screen a Global Film with your troop - New Films Added August 2010!
GSCNC is building a global resource library with empowering DVDs about women changing their communities around the world.  Right now we have 5 fantastic films available for troops to rent and show at meetings and/or events.

A Powerful Noise:  This DVD is a documentary about women who are changing the world.  The three women profiled come from Mali, Vietnam and Bosnia and have changed their communities despite the challenges they were faced with.  To find out more about this documentary, you can visit http://www.apowerfulnoise.org/. 
*Please note: this movie covers sensitive issues. Please review the Sensitive Issues guidelines in Green Pages. A Sensitive Issues permission slip is required.*

The Millennium Goals: Dream or Reality? *NEW*: This film explores the ambition and scope of the UN's Millennium Development Goals, and the obstacles to their achievement.  Find out more at: http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/catalog/l4mil.html

Motherland Afghanistan *NEW*:  Afghan American filmmaker Sedika Mojadidi journeys to the heart of this medical tragedy by following her father's return to Afghanistan to battle one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Find out more about the film here: www.pbs.org/independentlens/motherlandafghanistan/
*Due to the nature of the film's topic, this film is suggested for older girls - Seniors and Ambassadors in particular.  

Pray the Devil Back To Hell:  This DVD tells the remarkable story of the Liberian women who came together to end a bloody civil war and bring order to their shattered country.  Find out more about the film here: http://www.praythedevilbacktohell.com/v3/
*Due to the nature of the film's topic, this film is suggested for older girls - Seniors and Ambassadors in particular.

Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai:  This film tells the dramatic story of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights, and defend democracy-a movement for which this charismatic woman became an iconic inspiration. More film details are found at: http://takingrootfilm.com/ 
*A great film to connect with the new Environmental Journeys!*

If your troop is interested in screening any of these movies, please contact Kaitlin Hasseler at khasseler@gscnc.org or (202) 237-1670 ext. 238. 
If you have any movie suggestions for our global resource library, let us know!!

For troops/service units looking to put on a global education event, check out some great resources offered through the Meridian International Center, located in Washington DC.   

Troops can check out Culture Boxes, free of charge, which contain activities and materials pertaining to a specific country/culture.  See the list available here.

Troops can also invite an International Classrooms Cultural Consultant to present to them about their culture/country.  Presentations do normally cost $100, but prices are negotiable depending on resources available to troops.  Most Consultants are based in the metro DC area, so travel may be an issue.   See list of Consultants and more information here.

Email Katie Appel at kappel@meridian.org to check out a Culture Box and/or reserve a Cultural Consultant.  

Global Leadership Opportunities with GSUSA 
GSUSA is seeking applications from young women to join a pool of volunteers interested in global leadership opportunities (travel stipends may be available). Members of this pool may be asked to represent GSUSA at the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) leadership events and trainings, and will serve for a triennium (2009-2011). Typically, there are three to four Global Leadership Opportunities (GLO) each year. When Global Leaderships Opportunities become available, a notice will be sent to members inviting them to complete a second application which will include questions specific to the event.

Applicants must be 18 years old to apply and cannot turn 35 until after the end of the triennium. There is no deadline for submitting applications. Selected volunteers will be receive notified by email. 

To be considered, applicants must be:

• members of Girl Scouts of the ;
• available to travel internationally on short notice;
• actively volunteering at their local Girl Scout council and endorsed by the council;
• committed to bringing back, sharing and integrating their new knowledge and skills at the local Girl Scout council and/or nationally.

Download the application form (Word) and email it to globalgirlscouting@girlscouts.org.

Due to the limited number of WAGGGS Global Leadership Opportunities, membership in the pool does not guarantee attendance/participation at an international event.

Join the Girl Scouting Global Leadership Opportunities group on Facebook to learn more about Global Girl Scouting initiatives, and receive regular updates and WAGGGS information.

Complete the Global Girl Scouting IP:
http://www.studio2b.org/lounge/gs_stuff/ip_global_girls.asp

Take the GSUSA "The Power of Girls Pledge"

Calling all world travelers!  Go on a destination!
For Girl Scout Teens
What do Costa Rica, Alaska, and India have in common?   They are all places YOU can travel to through the Girl Scouts destinations program.  Come to one of the destinations workshops this fall to find out all about what destinations are offered, how to navigate the application system, and how to earn the money to get to your goal!  Find out specific workshop dates at: www.gscnc.org/destinations.html.
Questions?  Contact Kaitlin Hasseler, Program Specialist, at khasseler@gscnc.org or (202) 237-1670 ext. 238.

Japan Information and Culture Center Student Programs
For Girl Scout Brownies, Juniors and Teens
Travel the world right without leaving the District!  Earn your Around the World Try-It, World Neighbors badge, or work towards your World of Understanding IP through an interactive presentation at the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan. This program features a comprehensive introduction to Japan, presentation of Japanese Artifacts, a brief Japanese lesson, and the center's very own resident robot, Paro, the baby harp seal. Girls will also be able to take part in a number of hands-on activities such as wearing a yukata, trying traditional Japanese games, and practicing their hand at origami.

The presentation runs for about 2 hours, depending on the group size.  Ideal group size would be 20-50 girls (with the capacity to serve larger groups). These presentations are FREE and available to schedule throughout the school year.  See photos of the presentation here:  http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/sp_gallery.htm

Contact Matthew Cantele, School Program Coordinator/Information Officer for the Embassy of Japan, directly to schedule a presentation.  He can be reached at 202-238-6945 or mcantele@embjapan.org.

If you are interested in offering global programs in the greater DC area or have ideas for future programs/opportunities, please contact Kaitlin Hasseler, Program Specialist, at khasseler@gscnc.org or at 202 237-1670 ext. 238.