(How to Make It a) Happy New Year!

As we enter 2025, we note the many challenges around the world, from border conflicts to earthquakes, from political discourse to extreme pollution. Some people have found ways to cope by ignoring any sensitive or complicated topics; some have doubled down on their one-sided beliefs and wondered why people cannot get along.

That would not be the start of a happy new year.

Our global community wants to take a different route. Instead of arguing why people should do things differently for our benefit, we look into our own backyards to see what is needed and how we can help. We meet with our international peers from the West to the Global South to the Near and Far East and learn about their efforts. We explore sources of information that lead to the opposite conclusions.

These conversations and efforts are conducted weekly by Buddies Without Borders students in more than 30 countries across the world. Below are just some of the local action projects initiated and driven by our teen leaders: In Ghana, Christian Nana Kwakye, Glorious Angel Ogyiri Asare and their clubmates at Tema International School are working on supporting the renovation of an IT lab in a school of disadvantaged children.

In Turkey, Ceylin Gundogdu, Hanzade Su Taştan, Ravza Özdemir and their clubmates at Vali Muammer Güler Social Sciences High School are designing English-as-Second-Language awareness and workshops for elementary school students.

In Japan, Mio Fujii and her clubmates at Shonan Shirayuri High School have initiated partnerships with a local food bank to provide food and support citizens in poverty.

In Germany, Marlene Walter, Julius Eichhorn and their clubmates at Goetheschule Essen have conducted research and presentations on combating fake news.

In Taiwan, Jamie Liu and Eileen Wu and their clubmates at Tsai Hsing Private High School are organizing visits to local elderly care facilities.

In Jordan, Joelle Akroush and her clubmates at Amman National School are organizing 

educational activities for a local orphanage.

More teens are doing amazing things around the world - including Shiv Nadar School Gurgaon and Strawberry Fields High School in India, Unidad Educativa Particular Rosa de Jesús Cordero in Ecuador, BINUS School Simprug in Indonesia, Green Bay High School in New Zealand, Iranian Towheed School in UAE, Walker School in the USA, American International School in Cyprus, International School of Kigali in Rwanda... check out where we are and why we care: https://www.globaleducationdestinations.org/school-clubs

Coming up this weekend, Domuschola International School - Philippines and Los Sauces European School - Spain will host Global Chats to discuss the topic"If you could make one change in your community, what would it be?"

Would you like to answer that question? Join us in the next Buddies Without Borders Online Forum Local Actions for Global Goals for a chance to work with all teens who want to make 2025 a truly happy year for all.