In the chaos of the academic year, our minds are often preoccupied with all of the labs, essays, and quizzes paramount to our academic success. However, in consequence, we often fail to give much heed to the issues facing our local and global communities. This is, in part, the goal of the University of Toronto WE: Free the Children club.
The Me to WE Philosophy is all about shifting our focus from ourselves to our community – from ‘me’ to ‘we’. It encourages to put our problems into perspective and realize that many of our so-called ‘first world problems’ are not problems at all. But more than that, shifting our focus from ‘me’ to ‘we’ allows us to recognize how we can use our skills and talents to benefit our community. There are a wide variety of issues worthy of our concern, from rainforest destruction in Brazil and lack of access to quality education in rural China to homelessness and pollution right here in Toronto. We certainly cannot solve all of these problems, but we can make a difference – even as university students.
Often, when we think about charity, we think of monetary donations. It goes without saying that money is the one resource that most university students don’t have enough of. Yet, there are so many other ways to support a cause that you care about. You can create significant positive change by volunteering your time and advocating for the cause. What’s most important is that more than just saying you support a cause, you actually do something to create positive change.
With the new year and a new semester about to begin, this is our challenge to you. Take a break from your studying and think about how you can use your skills and talents to make a difference in your local or global communities. More than just post on Facebook about an issue, you should post about what you are doing to tackle it. Changing the world is not easy, but we are here to support and inspire you along the way.
Together, WE are the change!
Cheers,
Jonah Toth
Educational Director
The Me to WE Philosophy is all about shifting our focus from ourselves to our community – from ‘me’ to ‘we’. It encourages to put our problems into perspective and realize that many of our so-called ‘first world problems’ are not problems at all. But more than that, shifting our focus from ‘me’ to ‘we’ allows us to recognize how we can use our skills and talents to benefit our community. There are a wide variety of issues worthy of our concern, from rainforest destruction in Brazil and lack of access to quality education in rural China to homelessness and pollution right here in Toronto. We certainly cannot solve all of these problems, but we can make a difference – even as university students.
Often, when we think about charity, we think of monetary donations. It goes without saying that money is the one resource that most university students don’t have enough of. Yet, there are so many other ways to support a cause that you care about. You can create significant positive change by volunteering your time and advocating for the cause. What’s most important is that more than just saying you support a cause, you actually do something to create positive change.
With the new year and a new semester about to begin, this is our challenge to you. Take a break from your studying and think about how you can use your skills and talents to make a difference in your local or global communities. More than just post on Facebook about an issue, you should post about what you are doing to tackle it. Changing the world is not easy, but we are here to support and inspire you along the way.
Together, WE are the change!
Cheers,
Jonah Toth
Educational Director