Worldhealer’s Global Awareness Program’s mission as a whole is to enhance the scope of global studies in local schools and to foster an understanding of our responsibilities as participants in an increasingly globalized world. Worldhealer is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and the university-aged Global Awareness Program is hosted at UCSB as a campus club. Worldhealer organizes guest speakers and
international visitors for the Global Awareness Club at UCSB to inspire members of the far-reaching importance of their work, as they are both volunteers and participants. The university students then introduce global topics to high school and junior high students through the Teen Global Awareness Club and through individual weekly Global Awareness Workshops provided directly in K-8 classroom and after school programs throughout California. (“WH”) consists of professionals and youth leaders from around the world. The programs WH has created and implemented are comprehensive educational and leadership programs that promote community development based on encouraging long-term systemic and behavioral change. The goal is to cultivate understanding and appreciation of global diversity, and to lead the participants to develop their sense of ownership and responsibility in the changes they want to see in the world, then trains them to develop and lead those programs themselves. WH was created based on the belief that by exposing young people to global issues and challenges, it will raise their awareness and understanding of the wider world, develop critical thinking skills, and promote philanthropy and cooperation. This fosters the intellectual and personal growth of young people worldwide and encourages a positive global future of sustainable economic and social community development. WH currently runs leadership programs at the university level, welcoming college-age students, visiting international students and young adults to participate. Together, they create and lead global awareness workshops for younger age groups (grades K-12). The opportunity for older students to learn and pass on their knowledge reinforces their learning process and forges the student-to-student mentorship program. They further their leadership skills by practicing to run their program as a small business, therefore also learning entrepreneurship. The learning and teaching process empowers all participants to contribute to the wider world while developing crucial skills needed to adapt and respond to challenging and unfamiliar situations; encouraging their interest in the larger global community; and expanding participants’ horizons. By inspiring creativity and social engagement, WH builds the leaders of tomorrow.
