World Citizen Center

why it's important:

This is important to me because I currently intern at the International Institute of Boston helping refugees start their own businesses. The International Institute of Boston is a great resource and is an expiring example of something I too would like to address and build upon. My idea takes a slightly different approach than just being a typical non-profit however. I genuinely know that these people need the help they can get after working at the International Institute. And as a student, I have learned from attending international schools, participating in Model UN, volunteering with the Oxfam Action Corps, and attending the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, that our world needs politicians and locals to be empowered to continue to negotiate for peace for all of us, especially the refugees I work with.

the plan of action:

Open a World Citizens Center. The goal is to promote human rights, mediation discussions with politicians and locals open as lecture series for the public, therapy for refugees, crash courses in America and business for the refugees and immigrants relocating. There would be two specific sections: A center for the public with a lecture hall and a library on conflict resolution as well as other other peace inspring books. The lecture hall would be used to politicians and locals to discuss topics on war and peace and how we can negotiate a better resolution to such issues. This center would be open when events are not being hosted for classes on various topics such as green energy initiatives, advocacy, as well as recreation classes for the youth and adults on non-violence and peace promotion advocacy. a A farmer's garden would be built outside and the produce sold to locals. Most jobs in this facility will be provided to those who need them most like the refugees that we will be helping. Although this center sounds elaborate, it is intended to be a small space to bring together those interested in these causes who want to make a difference.

The second part of the center would be an office like facility, with counciling sessions that would be held in private office space, and lastly, a conference room for crash course classes on American culture, job markets, and capitalism for refugees. These classes are intended to be smaller to suit the needs of one of the most important causes of the World Citizen Center. Ultimately this center is geared to give everyone a place of belonging and to promote the social justice our world deserves to become a better place.

how you can get involved:

Again, this center is for the public, others can help by working behind the scenes in administration, event planning, and counselling services. Also, volunteering will be the core of this center with locals in the community volunteering time to teach on various topics for the community run classes as well as to promote community action on conflict resolution topics, and to speak upon these issues in the lecture hall. The center is even intended for the public in simply their participation by attending classes, lectures, or even learning more in the small resource of a conflict resolution and peace building library we will have.