Voices of Our Future

We are at the midway point in theVoices of Our Future training program and our 2013 class has already produced a thoughtful and inspiring body of work. The 31 Correspondents, representing 27 different countries, are creating a network of support by listening, brainstorming, challenging, and boldly tackling urgent international issues. Through our citizen journalism and digital empowerment training curriculum and monthly writing assignments, the Voices of Our Future Program is equipping women leaders with skills to lift the voices of the women in their communities.

"More than ever before, I now know what is possible when women are afforded an opportunity and allowed to speak out freely... I just want to keep speaking until I see the desired change!"–Greengirl, 2013 Voices of Our Future Correspondent, Nigeria

The program provides one-on-one support through relationships established between Correspondentsand their Editorial and Vision Mentors. These mentors get to know the Correspondents on a personal and professional level over the course the five-month program.

"The idea that our simple exchanges of communication are helping to create concrete, positive changes in communities around the globe inspires those of us in the program to keep striving to realize those visions of which the correspondents write and speak." –Tara Celentano, Voices of Our Future Editorial Mentor, United States of America

We are witnessing how the collaboration of over ninety women from all over the world can manifest into a community of shared learning and support.

“My mentors literally changed my life.” –Shahd Majeed, 2013 Voices of Our Future Correspondent, Iraq

Leadership Opportunities

One way World Pulse cultivates Correspondents' leadership is by identifying conferences they can attend to build their networks.

• TinaN from Malawi, was nominated by World Pulse to participate in the Women Steering Innovating Leadership in Africa International Conference. There she is contributing her voice to the Women’s Steering Committee for an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa.
• Nechesa Morgan has been invited to attend the Social Good Summit in New York City. Nechesa will join World Pulse Founder and CEO Jensine Larsen at this three-day conference to connect with a dynamic community of global leaders to discuss the power of innovative thinking and technology to solve our greatest challenges.

Alumnae Accomplishments

What effect does a program have after it ends? We have watched the successes of our Correspondents continue to build after they complete the program.

• Dando Mweetwa, a 2009 Correspondent from Zambia, was recently nominated by program partner Global Press Institute for a Pulitzer Prize.
• Chi Yvonne Leina, a 2010 Correspondent, won the 2012 inaugural Women Have Wings Courage Award which is given to outstanding female activists living in the courageous spirit of Amelia Earhart.
• Busayo Obisakin, a 2009 Correspondent from Nigeria, has achieved her dream to open up a Women’s Inspiration Development Center. She has already held multiple empowerment trainings for women and girls, visited local schools to help end gender violence in her community, and is planning on opening a women-only cyber café to increase women’s participation in new media.
• Achieng Beatrice Nas, a 2010 Correspondent from Uganda—whose story about the importance of girls’ education touched the hearts of audiences around the US during the World Pulse Live tour last September—has started her own project which pairs 35 Ugandan girls with mentors from around the world to support their education and visions for the future.
• Hummingbird, a 2012 Correspondent from Syria, has spoken at a variety of forums around the United States, including UN Women. She most recently became one of fifty women to participate in the renowned Women in Public Service Project Institute at Bryn Mawr University.
• Neema Namadamu, a 2012 Correspondent from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has spoken at many major forums globally. She led a campaign on Change.org that resulted in the collection over 100,000 signatures calling for a United States special envoy to address violence in happening in her country. She has since started an Internet café in Congo and has trained over 300 women to use the World Pulse platform.

We are overjoyed to be part of their journey and movement to change the paradigm! We are excited to see what this year’s Correspondents will accomplish.