Voices of Our Future

“I’m not interested in making a little noise – I’m looking to CHANGE THE PARADIGM!” Neema, 2011Voices of Our Future Correspondent, Democratic Republic of Congo

Nearly 600 women from 96 countries applied for the third annual year of Voices of Our Future.  From Brazil to Sri Lanka and beyond, they shared harrowing personal stories of overcoming violence and oppression—but most importantly, they shared their solutions and visions for change with a global audience. 

“I am confident that I am the one who is going to change the Afghan women's world. I am going to write about Afghanistan, Afghan women, Afghan men, Afghan children, and even Afghanistan's nature that will awaken the world to save my country and leave it in peace after decades of war." Parwana Fayyaz, 2011 Voices of Our Future Correspondent, Afghanistan

Amidst a phenomenal pool of applicants there were 31 women from 29 countries who stood out – each one demonstrating exceptional leadership and vision with great potential to drive change.  These grassroots women leaders are the voices of our future—they will lead us toward holistic global solutions that are powered from the ground up. 

“I want to tell precious stories so well that people won’t stop talking, won’t stop thinking, until something happens - something big, something great, something absolutely filled with nobility.” Ruthibelle, 2011Voices of Our Future Correspondent, Jamaica

Join us in welcoming the 2011 Voices of Our Future Correspondents!

(To read the Correspodents' bios and connect with them online, go to http://www.worldpulse.com/pulsewire/programs/voices-of-our-future)

Aliya Bashir-Kashmir            

Amiesissoho-Gambia

Celine-Nigeria                        

Chinemu-Zambia       

Dubravka Mesaros-Serbia

Ikirmat-Uganda         

JulietteM-Barbados    

Katyrdz-Mexico         

Lymalin-Cambodia    

MaddyM-Nicaragua  

MaDube-Zimbabwe   

Malba66-USA            

Mirette-Egypt                        

Mlaphimon-Thailand  

Monica Clarke-South Africa  

Nasreenamina-Argentina       

Neema-Democratic Republic of Congo

Nisan-Syria

Noreens-Palestine

Okeny-Lucia-Kenya

Parwana Fayyaz-Afghanistan

Paulina Lawsin-Philippines

Rahel Weldeab-Eritrea

Redsbird-China

Ruthibelle-Jamaica

Sahro-Somalia

Stella Paul-India

Treasureland-Nigeria

Ushakc-Nepal

Valeria Barbosa da Silva-Brazil

Zoneziwoh-Cameroon

THE PROGRAM

“Knowledge is power, a knowledgeable woman is an empowered woman.” Celine, 2011Voices of Our Future Correspondent, Nigeria

Over the next five and a half months, these women will receive training in new media and citizen journalism to help them actualize and vocalize their visions for change. They will learn how to conduct interviews and write profiles, feature stories and op-eds. They will also learn how to use Twitter and Facebook as citizen journalists, streamline their online experience, and use mobile phone technology to support their social change work. This year, we’ve added digital storytelling to our curriculum. Watch out for the groundbreaking videos and photo-slideshows this spring!

JOURNEYING TOGETHER

“I have found comfort, a family in world pulse, who is ready to listen, to share, to guide me in my voyage in achieving the my dream.”Ikirimat, 2011Voices of Our Future Correspondent, Uganda

To ensure success on this journey, each woman will be paired with a personal Vision Mentor and Editorial Midwife.  These professional women are life coaches, mentors, journalists, authors and bloggers. They are generously donating nearly 3,000 hours of their time and expertise to make this program a reality.

SPIRITED PARTNERSHIPS

“Life is a gift. A fulfilled life is an achievement. A woman achieving her dreams is a butterfly who learned how to fly in the storm.” Nasreenamina, 2011Voices of Our Future Correspondent, Argentina

This program would not be possible without the contribution, entrepreneurial sprirt and generosity of our program partners The Global Press Institute, Op-Ed Project, Sehrish Shaban, Ellen Wingard and Frank Smyth. From our entire team, a heartfelt thank you!