NEWSPAPER @GOODGOODGOODCO
CELEBRATE GOOD NEWS. BECOME GOOD NEWS.
ISSUE 03
Welcome to the Goodnewspaper. You are now a part of a global community that celebrates the people, ideas, and movements that are changing the world for the better and helps others do the same. It’s when times are hardest that it’s most important that we shine a light on good news. Not cheesy stuff. Hope — real hope — no matter how messy it may be. There’s a lot of good in the world that needs to be celebrated. And we need to be a part of it.
2
H E L LO H E L LO !
We’re Doing Better Than We Thought
WHO MAKES THE G O O D N E W S PA P E R ? Editor-in-Chief Branden Harvey - @brandenharvey Managing Editor & Writer Kailey Thompson - @kaileythompson Art Director Judson Collier - @judsoncollier Creative Strategist & Copy Editor Sammi Harvey - @sammiharveyco Community & Communications Lead Kristi Karrenbrock Podcast Producer Chad Michael Snavely - @chad_michael Strategy Consultant Katie Lentile - @katielentile Photography Support Stocksy United - @stocksyunited
Over the last 20 years, do you believe global poverty increased, decreased, or stayed the same? A year ago, the research agency Motivaction surveyed 26,000 people in 24 countries (in 15 languages), asking this very question.
volving around the ways we share and hear mostly bad news. And with the Goodnewspaper, that’s what we’re working to push back on. Of course, there are still 836 million people who are living in extreme poverty — and we want to be aware of that. But the truth is that number
The reality is that global poverty has more than halved since 1990 — based on the World Bank’s measure of living on less than $1.25 per day. At least 1 billion people have risen out of extreme poverty in the last three decades. This is truly incredible news!
is way down because people saw the numbers and then took action to reduce them. We can do the same thing. And we can be encouraged knowing that change is possible — and that we can be a part of it. The Goodnewspaper is filled with stories of hopeful trends, bril-
But this is how people responded to the survey:
liant world-changing initiatives, and — most importantly — oppor-
Most people — 70 percent — said poverty increased,
tunities to become a part of the solution.
and 18 percent said poverty stayed the same. Just 13 percent said poverty decreased.
I’m especially drawn to our incredible conversation with Ilwad Elman — a brilliant woman who is changing lives in Soma-
It’s almost alarming to see that so many respondants
lia, our piece on why the #MeToo movement is shifting our cul-
said the exact opposite of what is true. If people were
ture for a better future, and our trend piece on how child labor is
just randomly guessing, the percentages across the
continuing to drop around the world.
board would have been 33 percent. But they aren’t. It’s
I hope you come away from this issue feeling hopeful about
not just that people are ignorant about the world getting
the progress we’ve already made in the world and ready to join
better — it’s that their perspective is unknowlingly and
in and be a part of it yourself.
wrongly skewed toward pessimism.
-BRANDEN HARVEY
There are multiple reasons for this viewpoint, often re-
Centerfold Poster Featured Artist Michael-Andrew Spalding - @mandrewspalding Contributing Sports Writer Sarbjit “Sab” Singh - @sportsdoinggood Comic Artist Brad Montague - @thebradmontague ••••••••••••••••• Learn more about the Goodnewspaper and Good Good Good at goodgoodgood.co Update your subscription and mailing address at goodgoodgood.co/update Keep up with more good news by following us everywhere at @goodgoodgoodco Get in touch about feedback or questions at hello@goodgoodgood.co For advertising, email ads@goodgoodgood.co
@BRANDENHARVEY
SPREAD GOOD NEWS Share a good news story, post an inspiring quote, or just brag about getting the third issue of the Goodnewspaper. Tag your photos of the Goodnewspaper with #goodnewspaper and @goodgoodgoodco.
This issue was made possible by the support of our loyal subscribers, 1,439 Kickstarter backers, and generous and impactful advertisers. Thank you!
3
W E ’ V E G OT G O O D N E W S
A Reforestation Project In the Brazilian Amazon Is Planting 73 Million Trees
Scientist that rather than what we might consider an inability to
This sort of global strategy can be majorly effective — just
socialize, people with ASD simply have an unconventional social
take a look at what happened with polio. In 1988, govern-
Over the last 40 years, about 20 percent of the Amazon has
style. And because we don’t usually operate within this viewpoint,
ments adopted a resolution for the worldwide eradication
been cut down. And it turns out that these rainforests play
some well-meaning interventions for children with ASD can
of polio. Since that year, cases have decreased by more than
an enormous role in keeping our Earth cool. Simply halting
fall short because they emphasize social knowledge instead of
99 percent, from an estimated 350,000 polio cases to just 37
deforestation could allow existing trees to absorb up to 37
genuine social skills. After all, the social sphere is so much more
reported cases in 2016. We’ve seen governments come
percent of our annual carbon emissions, and replenishing
complex than simply learning a script for every interaction.
together and end a disease before, and we’re hopeful that we
what we’ve already cut down could do even more.
This subtle shift in framing can change how we think about
It’s not that there haven’t been efforts to restore the
autism for good because instead of viewing people with ASD as
rainforests. Traditionally, these projects focus on planting
socially awkward, Kaufman says, we can conceptualize them
saplings, which are relatively easy to manage but, as it turns
as socially creative. “They may not do things the ‘right’ way,
out, can have poor survival rates because the species are
but they do them their way,” he says. Something as simple as a
not always suited for the territory. An organization called
repositioning in our language can transform how people with
Conservation International knew the process needed an upgrade.
autism spectrum disorder see themselves in the world and
They’re undertaking the largest tropical reforestation project in history using a different approach. The team is
can see the same outcome with TB.
think about what they are capable of becoming.
planting more than 200 native species using a process called
We Could See Tuberculosis End In Our Lifetime
Eyeglasses Are Boosting Test Scores In Baltimore
muvuca — a strategy that can lead to resilient and drought-
Since the year 2000, global efforts to fight tuberculosis have
The gap in reading proficiency between poor and wealthy
resistant trees. The short-term goal is to restore 70,000 acres
reduced the TB mortality rate by 37 percent, saving about 53
students might have an easier fix than we thought. Researchers
of land with native trees, and get this: It’s actually indigenous
million lives — that’s more than the populations of California
at Johns Hopkins University knew poorer children were less
communities and farmers who are carrying out the project.
and Pennsylvania combined. In many parts of the world, howev-
likely to have access to eyeglasses than wealthier children, so
This sounds like a win-win in our book — for the livelihoods
er, progress has stalled, and many gaps remain in TB prevention
they screened several hundred second and third graders and gave
of local families and for the health of our planet.
and care. As a result, tuberculosis kills more people than any
eyeglasses to students who needed them. The results? These
other infectious disease. It’s even the leading killer for people
students’ reading proficiency notably improved over the course of
with HIV. But there are people working to end TB for good:
a year compared to the students who didn’t need glasses.
We Can Reframe the “Downsides” to Autism When we talk about autism, we generally place it in the con-
Leaders from 75 countries met in November and committed to
text of how people with autism spectrum disorder are at a
ramping up on actions to end the disease by 2030. The group has
disadvantage. But what if we stopped viewing autism in terms of
promised to increase multisectoral action, track progress, and
its downsides and started focusing on its benefits? Researcher
build accountability. With this collective effort, tuberculosis
Scott Barry Kaufman says in the online magazine Behavioral
could be out the door in our lifetime.
HOW TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH AUTISM
What’s this? This is the Good Bar! We believe in celebrating good and then joining in and making a difference ourselves. The Good Bar is full of recommendations from the Good Good Good community on how to take action in meaningful ways.
GO OD
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Read through the #ActuallyAutustic hashtag to learn more about the experiences of people with autism from people who actually have autism.
Donate to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. They empower people with autism to take control of their lives and seek to ensure autistic voices are heard.
58% of young adults with autism are unemployed. And yet, many of them have skills that businesses are looking for. Do you own a business? Be a part of the change.
4
W E ’ V E G OT G O O D N E W S
After the study, the Baltimore Health department joined forces
The group publishes the true cost of their goods so consumers
But there is good news: For the second year in a row, the total
with other groups — including the city’s public school system can see the transport costs and how much the farmer and butch-
number of deaths across the world caused by terrorism has de-
and eyeglasses retailer Warby Parker — to tackle the proficiency er get paid, among other things. And it turns out that these sorts
clined. Data from the Royal United Services Institute indicates
gap at a larger scale. The program, called Vision for Baltimore, of things can all be verified using blockchain — you know, the
there has been a 22 percent decline in deaths caused by terror-
plans to screen 60,000 students and give out 8,000 pairs of same technology behind bitcoin.
ism since 2014. And there’s much to gain from a comprehensive
eyeglasses over the course of three years — all for free.
The cooperative’s goals have huge implications, too, on the
understanding of the impact of terrorism at the local, national,
This could change things for students in a big way. Stud- future of small-scale farmers, food safety, and ethical treatment
and global levels: We can inform our response to terrorism and
ies indicate that children with poor school performance are of animals. The transparency this technology provides means a
learn how to take a practical approach moving forward. And this
sometimes misdiagnosed with behavioral problems or huge win for conscious consumers.
doesn’t just happen in high-level government — we can all play
special education needs, when in reality some of these children
our part by getting the facts straight and not giving into fear.
simply have poor eyesight and don’t have access to health care. It’s remarkable that such a significant problem could be solved with a simple pair of eyeglasses.
A Cooperative In Arkansas Is Using Blockchain to Make Farming More Ethical A small cooperative in Arkansas made up of sustainable, ethical farmers wants to provide the best traceability in the world for all of their products. The group, called Grass Roots, is made up of of humanely sourced meat. And get this — they’re tracking all of
A Drone Is Delivering Medical Supplies to People Who Need Them
their products from farm to plate via blockchain.
More than 2 billion people lack access to essential medical
sustainable farmers who want to be the most trusted provider
supplies such as blood and vaccines, and a drone just might
“The likelihood that your acts of resistance cannot stop the injustice does not exempt you from acting in what you sincerely and reflectively hold to be the best interests of your community.” —Susan Sontag
be the solution. Sometimes gaps in infrastructure and tough terrains make it difficult to get the right supplies on time, but a Silicon Valley company and the Rwandan government are teaming up to address the obstacles health care workers face in accessing the products their patients need.
More Women Are Running for Office Than Ever Before
The company, Zipline, is the world’s first commercial
The U.S. is far behind in female representation in politics.
drone delivery system designed to quickly get critical
In fact, it ranks 98th worldwide for percentage of women in
medical supplies where they’re needed. The initiative aims
national legislature at less than 25 percent as of 2017. We know
to put every single one of Rwanda’s 12 million citizens within
representation in government is crucial in creating policy that
a 15–35-minute delivery range of any essential medical
serves people well. While we do have a ways to go, we’re now
product. It’s really easy to use, too: Health workers at remote
seeing more and more women stand up to lead. In fact, while
clinics simply order supplies via text message, the supplies
female representation in Congress sat at just 6 percent before
are packaged at a distribution center, and within minutes a
the 1992 election, it grew to 20 percent as of 2017.
drone is on its way — no pilot required. This revolutionary
There could be a funny reason why having more wom-
technology means significant savings for clinics and will
en in office would be beneficial all-around. It might be that,
ultimately protect lives in places where workers previously
well, women are better at working together to solve problems.
could not access essential life-saving supplies.
A study of more than 100,000 15-year-olds across 52 countries
Global Deaths Caused By Terrorism Have Declined for the Second Year In a Row
actually found that to be true. The findings, released in November 2017 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, showed girls are 1.6 times more likely than boys
It’s important we get the facts right about terrorism. Sometimes
to perform well in collaborative problem-solving, contrasting
it feels like it dominates the national headlines and conscience,
with the organization’s 2012 study, which found boys performed
so it’s easy to feel like terrorism is getting worse and worse each
better in individual problem solving.
year. It’s true that terrorist actions have been experienced in
There’s no way to know for sure, but we know that for a
more countries since 2000, so we totally get it if it feels like it’s
country of 51 percent women, we can do better to encourage
been spreading across the globe and becoming more common.
women to enter into candidacy so that the U.S. government
That can be overwhelming.
looks more like its people.
HOW TO SUPPORT WOMEN RUNNING FOR OFFICE GO OD
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Know when all of your local elections are, and vote all the way down the ballot. Don’t just show up for big elections. Do research ahead of time. Every office matters.
Donate to nonpartisan organizations that support women running for office such as Off The Sidelines, She Should Run, Women’s Campaign Fund, and Running Start.
Are you a woman? Run! Do you know a qualified woman? Encourage her to run! Start small and focus on the difference that can be made in your local community.
6
SPORTS DOING GOOD
lain to many, mainly because the narrative
This West Point Student Made History — And Thanks Sports for Shaping Her Success
of his efforts was hijacked by those afraid
We’re impressed when someone is first to
of the story he was trying to publicize. We
do something. It indicates courage, pas-
heard Kaepernick and know his story, while
sion, and talent. ESPN reported that Si-
hard to hear, is one that must be heard if we
mone Askew — recently named a Rhodes
are to be better in 2018.
Scholar — is the first African-American
Kaepernick. He was a hero to some, a vil-
A Golfer Donated Her Tour Winnings to Charity
if you ask her what got her to this position, she’ll thank sports. Askew started partici-
resonates even more when you don’t have
pating in triathlons with her mother and
much to give but do it anyway because you
sister when she was 10, played volleyball,
see a chance to help others access oppor-
basketball, and ran track, and later rowed
tunities in life that helped you to get where
crew at West Point. She credits the disci-
you are today. ESPN reported that budding
pline and inclusivity of team sports to get-
professional women’s golfer Hyemin Kim
ting where she is today.
her $15,000 winnings from the 2017 POC
One Athlete Is Transforming Football and the World 1 Percent at a Time
Med Golf Classic.
Does 1 percent sound like a lot? Certainly
empathy and her charity when she donated
By Sarbjit “Sab” Singh of Sports Doing Good
the highest-ranking student position. And
Giving is good, no matter how much. It
did exactly that, blowing us away with her
Athletes Are Using Their Platforms for Good
woman to be First Captain at West Point,
One Athlete Refused to Let a Traumatic Injury Stop Him From Helping Others
not enough to have any impact, right? Well, according to The Guardian, Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata thinks differ-
Overcoming challenges is a regular theme
ently and has called on footballers — and
found in Sports Doing Good. It’s a theme
those who love the “beautiful game” — to
that resonates with most people: seeing
join him in pledging 1 percent of their sal-
someone confront a difficult situation or
aries to Common Goal, a collective fund
circumstance and continue to fight despite
that supports football charities around the
the odds. Ron Tuscany not only fought his
world. So far, he’s already recruited three
We like to think that the phrase “good things
spend. When that spending is for good, it
own incredible battle after a severe skiing
dozen athletes and executives to share a
happen to good people” is true. I like to think
gets our attention. Eagles defensive end
accident left him paralyzed from the waist
percent of their salaries.
“great things happen because of great people”
Chris Long doubled down on his initial
down, but, according to GOOD, he created
is also true — maybe more so. The difference
donation of six NFL game checks to a mid-
High Fives Foundation to educate others
between the two ideas is the impact these
dle school and high school by committing
and help them in their own recovery.
great people can have on other people. In ways
the remaining 10 checks to educational
big and small, they extend the power of the
equality organizations in three cities. The
positive beyond themselves to include people
campaign, called “Pledge 10 for Tomor-
This Olympian Once Couldn’t Afford Shoes But Now Donates Them to Kids
near and far, many times not knowing who
row,” also encourages fans and businesses
“I’ve been there.” This phrase provides a level
was fighting for fair play and fair pay. Much
exactly is benefiting from their generosity and
to match Long ’s contribution.
of comfort to us when we hear it. The person
like their sisters from the U.S. soccer team,
saying it hopefully understands our own situ-
the hockey players threatened to give up
ation and can offer up some support, whether
what they love most, the chance to play
emotional or financial. U.S. Olympian Brenda
their sport, to get the powers-that-be to
hard work. They’re difference makers.
The U.S. Women’s Hockey Team Fought for Fair Pay — They Got It, Along With a Championship “You have to fight for your right…” Instead of partying, the U.S. women’s hockey team
The Goodnewspaper is about, well, “good,
A Teenage Refugee Olympian Is the Star of New Under Armour Ads
good, good.” We reviewed more than 10,000
It’s nice to be good at a sport. It becomes
Martinez has been there and is giving her
recognize their hard work and passion. As
stories in 2017, looking for news that is
essential if your skills from that sport help
support — both emotionally and financially.
featured at the Huffington Post, the team
often overlooked in favor of controversy and
you survive a dire situation. That is the
Working with her sponsor New Balance,
ended up winning that battle — and the
arguments. We undertook the challenging
story of Yusra Mardini, a Syrian refugee
Brenda is helping young girls find their way
world championship.
task of finding the ones we felt resonated the
who fled her country not to be an Olympian
when it comes to track and life.
most. And boy, did we find them — thousands
but simply to live. The fact that the teen-
in fact. We wish to highlight the difference
age swimmer participated in the Rio 2016
makers in the world of sports to inspire you
Sports Doing Good is about the good.
Sarbjit “Sab” Singh is a professor of sport
Summer Olympics is astounding, and with
Michael Phelps Finds New Meaning In Helping Others Who Deal With Depression
and motivate you to keep this “cycle of good”
her endorsement from Under Armour and
Michael Phelps is someone who, many would
and the creator of Sports Doing Good, a web-
going. What you see here are 10 stories that
work with the UN Refugee Agency, her im-
say, has it all: unparalleled athletic success,
site and newsletter built on the premise that
are firmly grounded in 2017 but poised to
pact is sure to continue.
worldwide fame, and financial security. Heart-
sports can be a tool for positive social change.
have an impact for years to come:
Colin Kaepernick Has a Vision for This NFL Player Will Donate His Salary Change in America for Educational Equality “Give him a chance.” That was our thought
management at Farmingdale State College
breakingly, depression can hit even in the midst of all of this. Phelps will always have an athletic
You can read more stories of sports doing
legacy, but, according to the New York Times,
good at sportsdoinggood.com
he is finding his role as friend and confidante to
A lot is made of how much money profes-
when we read more stories than we could
those similarly suffering from mental illness to
Learn more about these 10 stories by
sional athletes make and how much they
count about former NFL player Colin
be perhaps his greatest achievement yet.
visiting goodnewspaper.org/athletes
7
GAME CHANGERS
Research
at how drivers and passengers within seconds, and are designed to incapaci-
Center, 30 percent of American
get hurt, and then they work to tate an attacker for up to 30 minutes without
adults own a gun, but only seven
improve cars so fewer people deadly force.
in 10 gun owners report having
are injured.
According
There’s a NonLethal Firearm That Fires Pepper Spray Instead of Bullets
to
Pew
Adam Kennedy and Andy MacIntosh de-
taken a gun safety course. With
We haven’t seen the same pro- veloped the idea for the non-lethal defense
Americans having more guns per
gression in the firearm industry. against home intruders after a young man was
capita than any other nation in
The odds of dying in a car crash shot and killed on Kennedy’s neighborhood
the world, it’s no surprise that
have dropped since the 1960s, street. They wanted a way to feel safe just in
Americans are 10 times more
but the odds of dying from a fire- case violence made its way to their homes.
likely to be killed by a gun than
arm have gone up. That’s why it’s
people in other developed coun-
remarkable that a company has Kennedy writes on the Salt Supply Co. web-
tries. And in the U.S., access to
focused on innovation in the fire- site. “On one side there was the traditional
firearms is associated with in-
arm industry — they built a fire- firearm which requires tactical training, re-
creased risk of contemplated
arm under the unique premise solve to take a life, the risk of unintentional
suicide. According to the U.S.
that a gun doesn’t have to take a accidents and its violent kick that made it
Department of Justice, firearms
life to protect a life.
“We found … two very different options,”
scary for my wife to use. On the other side
account for more than half of all
A startup called Salt Supply there were traditional pepper sprays or tasers.
suicides. We want to see change.
Co. has developed a firearm for But they only work if the danger is right on top
The Centers for Disease Con-
people who are concerned about of you. And that’s all there was.”
trol shared a list of the greatest
protecting themselves and their
public health achievements of
families but are conflicted about answer they were looking for: a gun made for
the 20th century, most notably
owning a firearm. And it’s unlike people just looking for self protection. It’s in-
including motor vehicle safety.
anything else on the market — it novation like this that makes home protection
Over time, cars have become safer
fires pepper spray capsules in- accessible and approachable for homeowners
and safer because auto engineers,
stead of bullets. The capsules ex- who do not feel that a traditional firearm is
regulators, and activists look
plode on impact, affect the target the right choice for their homes.
So the Salt Supply Co. team created the
The Number of Convictions for Human Trafficking Is Rising The International Labour Organization estimates that
than doubling. More than half of the UN Member States
nearly 21 million people are forced into labour globally,
have established an anti-trafficking police unit, and many
making up a $150 billion industry affecting every country in
have launched a national action plan.
the world. Trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery and
There’s still work to be done, though, because many
has many faces, including domestic servitude, sex trade,
countries lack the necessary legal tools or political will to
exploitation of children, forced labor, warfare, and forced
take action. The conviction rate in most countries is well
marriage. Sexual exploitation continues to be the most
below the level recorded for crimes such as kidnapping,
prevalent form of trafficking, and women are dispropor-
and the UN reported many countries haven’t recorded a
tionately affected as victims, at two-thirds, while men make
single conviction related to trafficking.
up the majority of traffickers.
But organizations exist that are full of people rising up
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports
to fight against these human rights violations by rescuing
that convictions for human trafficking and related of-
victims, pursuing convictions, and pushing for better
fenses are increasing. The 2003 UN Protocol against traf-
legislation. Chances are, there’s an organization near you
ficking, which was the first global, legally binding instru-
doing good work to fight against these crimes. You can
ment against trafficking in more than half a century, has
personally get involved by advocating for others or donat-
inspired widespread legislative response, with the number
ing your time and resources to play a meaningful role in
of countries that have anti-trafficking legislation more
working toward a world free of trafficking.
HOW TO FIGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SUPPORT SURVIVORS GO OD
BET TER
BEST
Donate to organizations doing great work fighting human trafficking: International Justice Mission, Polaris Project, or the Human Trafficking Institute.
Ask your elected representatives to use their power to combat human trafficking. All it takes is a letter, phone call, or meeting to communicate this is a priority to you.
Volunteer with an organization fighting trafficking. Enter your zip code at humantraffickinghotline.org to find an organization near you.
8
HOPEFUL TRENDS
IN 2000, 23% OF CHILDREN AGED 5 TO 17 WERE INVOLVED IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY 12 YEARS LATER, THAT NUMBER WAS DOWN TO LESS THAN 17%.
Child labor is still a real
problem worldwide. The In-
ternational Labour Organization estimates that as of 2012 about 265 million chil-
dren across the world work. And contrary to popular be-
lief, most working children are not paid manufacturing
workers but unpaid family workers. In fact, as of 2013
almost 69 percent of working children were unpaid.
25%
Source: https://ourworldindata.org/child-labor
But global trends show child labor has been decreasing over past decades, with places such as the United Kingdom virtually eliminating child labor. In the year 2000, 23 percent of
20%
children aged 5 to 17 were involved in economic activity, but 12 years later that number was down to less than 17 percent.
15% 2000
2004
2008
2012
There are a number of economic and cultural factors that could
plementing non-coercive economic intervention methods that
explain why child labor is decreasing around the world, one of the
can encourage household decision makers to allow their children
most important factors being schooling. But it isn’t clear to what
to stay out of work, such as a program in Mexico that offers cash
degree lack of schooling is the consequence of child labor or vice
transfers to poor, rural populations, depending on whether fami-
versa. Studies do indicate that countries have seen success in im-
lies follow through on school attendance and clinic visits.
HOW TO FIGHT CHILD LABOR GO OD
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Download the app Sweat & Toil. It’s a simple, well-designed app that offers helpful information about which products and countries often support child labor.
Schools are an incredible weapon to end child labor. Support organizations that support schools around the world, such as Pencils of Promise.
Buy fair trade and sweatshop-free products whenever possible. Especially pay attention to clothing, coffee, and chocolate. Look for certified fair trade labels to verify.
#GOODNEWSPAPER
@GOODGOODGOODCO
I LWA D E L M A N
Ilwad Elman is no stranger to
“Most of [the businesses he cre-
change. She left Somalia in 1992
ated] were electrical shops and me-
as a young child with her mother
chanic shops, and he was hiring only
and two sisters to seek refuge from
young people that were orphaned
the conflict that had begun in the
on the streets,” Ilwad says. “He was
country the year before, leaving be-
teaching them the skills, getting
hind her father, activist Elman Ali
them off the street.”
Ahmed, who is known as the Somali
Elman’s entire workforce was
Father of Peace even today. It was
made of youth who had an upbring-
the last time they saw him. Tragi-
ing similar to his own. He wanted
cally, he was assassinated in 1996.
them to have a new status in society
The still-ongoing civil war in So-
and enjoy opportunities he benefited
malia grew out of resistance to the
from after receiving an education.
military dictatorship run by Moham-
And he hoped that by teaching them
ed Siad Barre beginning in the 1980s.
valuable trade skills, these children
By 1991, the Somali Armed Forces had
would have access to other options
recruited various armed rebel groups
besides joining the war.
and overthrew the Barre govern-
When the civil war broke out,
ment. Just a year later Ilwad and her
Elman shifted to helping not just
family fled war-stricken Somalia and
youth who were abandoned or bat-
lived for a few years in a refugee camp
tling drug addictions as he had
called Tango in Kenya — now called
focused on before, but also those
Dadaab, the largest refugee camp in
who were being co-opted into clan-
the world — before seeking asylum
based militias and giving them an
in Canada, where Ilwad grew up and
alternative to escape a life of vio-
stayed until 2010.
lence. This is around the time he
Almost 20 years after leaving So-
coined the phrase that’s now cen-
malia, Ilwad returned to her home
tral to his legacy: “Drop the gun;
country and is now responsible for de-
pick up the pen.”
signing and overseeing the peace and
“He was so successful in doing
human rights programs at the non-
this that he was demobilizing young
profit her parents founded in 1990,
men and even children by the thou-
called Elman Peace. She runs the
sands,” Ilwad says. “[His phrase] can
happening in her home country, but she was always curious about
organization with her mother, Far-
still be seen marked up in the ruins
returning to connect to the place she was born.
tuun Adan, and together they work to
of different streets in Mogadishu.”
“The only real thing that we ever saw about Somalia was always
promote peace, cultivate leadership,
Ilwad was still a young child when
on mainstream media, and that is no different [than] how it’s de-
and empower marginalized groups,
her father was assassinated and says
picted today: suffering, war, famine, conflict,” Ilwad says. “Just a
furthering the mission and legacy her
she was too young to understand the
failed state. And for me and my family, we felt even more attached
father left behind.
gravity of both his presence and loss
to Somalia even though we were not physically there because we
at the time. In fact, she doesn’t even
just lost so much.”
The Daughter of Peace
have memories of her father.
The disconnect between the attachment she felt to the place
Ilwad is connected to a legacy of
“Everything that I really know
she was born and the heartbreaking stories she heard about it left
peacemaking. When her father was a
about him and his impact has been
much to be desired. Ilwad didn’t have any positive representations
child, he was neglected by his family
passed on to me from both my moth-
of her country to cling to — just stories of her father and the work
and worked by polishing shoes on the
er and from other people around the
he and Fartuun started together.
streets of the Somali capital, Moga-
world,” Ilwad says. “I don’t have any
“My mother has been the biggest time vault, if you will, of
dishu. He later became the recipient
actual memory of him or being with
those memories [of my father],” Ilwad says. “She has really ded-
of social support services provided for
him, but I just feel so fortunate to
icated her life to his legacy and to us — my sisters and I — and
years following Italian colonization
be able to learn about him continu-
it’s because of her that I’m also back in Somalia now trying to do
and had the opportunity to study in It-
ously through these stories and an-
my part and honoring his legacy.”
aly. He went on to receive his Master’s
ecdotes and encounters that people
degree in Germany and became an
cherish so much.”
When the sisters had grown into teenagers, Fartuun returned to conflict-laden Somalia to continue the work her
electrical engineer before returning
But even though she doesn’t have
husband was killed. She returned at a crucial point in the
to Somalia and setting up businesses
any direct memories of her father, she
war, around the time Ethiopian troops had seized most of
in the 1980s.
stays connected to him through the
the southern region from a loose formation of judicial sys-
work she now does with her mother at
tems called the Islamic Courts Union, which briefly brought
his namesake organization.
some order to the country but later splintered into other
Ilwad says her father’s difficult upbringing inspired him to return to Somalia to give back and promote an
militant groups, most notably al-Qaeda-linked terrorist
enabling, positive environment for
A World Away from Home
children in the difficult position he
Growing up in Canada, Ilwad was
Ilwad and her sisters would sometimes lose contact with
once experienced.
largely disconnected from what was
their mother for weeks at a time, and seeing media coverage that
group al-Shabab.
12
We felt even more attached to Somalia even though we were not physically there because we just lost so much.
13
I LWA D E L M A N
her father’s side of the family. They opposed her mother’s leadership in an organization named after Elman because as a woman with only daughters, the uncles didn’t believe any of them could carry on his legacy. The opposition became so intense that at the launch of a new program at one of the organization’s centers, Ilwad’s uncle arrived and fired gunshots in an attempt to disperse people. That’s the moment Ilwad knew she had to stay with her mother. It’s the same time she realized ways the war was silencing and sidelining women. “If we as women that are educated, that have come from Canada, and really have the freedom and mobility to leave at any moment with our passport have this level of resistance and challenges that are 100 percent gender-specific, then what does that mean for the 8-year-old girl or the 22-year-old woman or the widowed grandmother in the streets of Mogadishu?” Ilwad says. “That moment really was a watershed for both of us, and for me it was the turnaround moment that I realized that I need to stay. I’m so much more useful here.” Ilwad knew she could help empower, equip, and help rebuild communities if she stayed and worked alongside her mother. And the longer she stayed, the better she was able to reconcile
When you hear about war or conflict, you never really are able to understand it really until you’re in it. Everything that we see in Hollywood productions — in big movies — was in my backyard.
Returning Home
the conflict she grew up seeing on the news and
But Ilwad did worry. She was so worried that in
the beauty that brought her mother back after
2010 she decided to go visit her mother in So-
so many years.
malia. The plan was to stay for one month — no
“It’s a land of many contradictions,” she
more than three months. At this time the con-
says. “There’s so much chaos, but so much
flict still heavily raged, and the majority of Mog-
calm. There’s conflict, but beauty. There’s love.
adishu and south central regions of the country
There’s laughter. There’s joy. There’s incredible
were controlled by al-Shabab. When Ilwad ar-
momentum right now, and it’s a place that’s —
rived, she was confronted with everything she
after 25, 26, 27 years of conflict — is slowly get-
had seen growing up on TV.
ting back on its feet. It’s where I was born. It’s
“Everything that I saw shook me to my core,”
the place I feel most grounded, and it’s home.”
she says. “When you hear about war or conflict, you never really are able to understand it really
Doing Good Work
until you’re in it. Everything that we see in Hol-
Today Elman Peace sustains Elman’s mission
lywood productions — in big movies — was in
and legacy of protecting human rights and pro-
my backyard.”
moting peace by supporting communities cent-
But in the midst of the chaos, she started to un-
ers through locally driven solutions. At its core,
derstand why her mother had returned. She saw
the nonprofit is a human rights institution. The
showed turmoil in Somalia left them with the
how early in the morning her mother would get
team focuses on monitoring, documenting, and
question: Why did their mother return?
up to help others, how many people in the com-
reporting human rights violations and abuses
“I just couldn’t wrap my head around it, and
munity needed her, and how many children called
that happen throughout the country and then
I really just wanted to know she was OK and to
her “Mom.” She knew her mother was doing im-
uses their findings to inform the different pro-
see for myself what it is that is really happen-
portant work to restore peace in the region.
gramming and services that they provide.
ing there,” Ilwad says. “Every time we’d speak
“I fell in love with the work that she was do-
Fartuun and her daughters also founded
to her she’d be so positive. Then we’d hang up
ing instantly, and I felt also a responsibility to
the Elman Peace and Human Rights Center in
the phone, look at what’s on the media, and
help her because I saw the level of resistance
Mogadishu in Elman’s honor. Fartuun serves
that does not reflect at all the courage and the
she was getting, and it was really heartbreaking
as the center’s executive director, while Ilwad
positivity that she carried when she was on the
for me,” Ilwad says.
serves alongside her as director of programs
phone with us, so I felt like she was just try-
Ilwad’s short-term trip soon turned perma-
ing to make things lighter so that we wouldn’t
nent when she learned that her mother was
Since she’s been in Somalia, the most tan-
worry.”
facing serious resistance from the uncles on
gible work she’s been a part of has been with
and development.
14
I LWA D E L M A N
survivors of of sexual- and gender-based violence. She
Although the country still faces a difficult road ahead, the
ther and the honor it is to carry the torch to create a better fu-
helps oversee a subsidiary of the center called Sister So-
first permanent central government since the war founded in
ture in the country where she was born and now calls home.
malia, the country’s first rape crisis center. In 2012, Il-
2012 and is making progress toward stability, thanks in huge
wad spoke at Mogadishu’s first TEDx conference, where
part to the peacemaking work people like Ilwad are leading.
“I learned so much about myself being here,” Ilwad says. “I learned about patience. I learned about community. All
she explained the role of Sister Somalia in reconstruction
So many people, from child soldiers to community mem-
of these very important things that surely I could learn
within the country through counseling, trauma healing,
bers who have lost loved ones in the war, have experienced
anywhere in the world, but really being here [in Somalia]
housing support, and emergency medical care for women
conflict. But now many have an outlet for their trauma and
I feel that everyday I have an opportunity to live with pur-
in need.
are on a path toward healing. Ilwad is exploring the effective-
pose. Everyday I have an opportunity to live intentionally
Ilwad has also hosted educational workshops for society’s
ness in treating symptoms of trauma through alternative
and to serve, and I just feel so grateful for that opportu-
most vulnerable communities and designed and implement-
health techniques for people who live in conflict zones, such
nity. It was scary to make that leap, but anything worth
ed projects promoting alternative livelihood opportunities.
as yoga, painting, or music therapy.
doing takes risks.”
Her work has raised awareness and even encouraged chang-
They’ve even seen success in taking children to the beach
es in government policy. In 2015 she briefed the UN Security
to sit and talk in the sand, to float and learn to feel safe in the
Council on the challenges Somali women face and now con-
water, and to go surfing.
WHERE TO FIND AND SUPPORT ILWAD ELMAN AND ELMAN PEACE
@i_elman // @elmanpeace // elmanpeace.org
tinues to work as a global advocate for Somali communities.
“Children can be children again as long as they’re just
The conflict between al-Shabab and the Somali govern-
taken out of this context of violence,” Ilwad says. “We al-
ment and peacekeeping forces still rages on today. We see it
ways try to ask the question: How do you teach or empower
LISTEN TO ILWAD’S PODCAST INTERVIEW ON OUR PODCAST, SOUNDS GOOD
on the news: terrorism, child soldiers, and war zones, among
a child that’s been stripped of his childhood to be a child
soundsgoodpodcast.com/ilwad
other things. Just last year a truck bombing blamed on al-
again? And sometimes it’s as easy as just having beach days.”
Shabab resulted in more than 500 casualties in the capital.
No matter what she’s working on, Ilwad remembers her fa-
HOW TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF SOMALIA GO OD
BET TER
BEST
Search #FutureForSomalia on YouTube and watch a few videos about the hopeful future many Somalis believe is in store for their country.
Donate to support the impactful work being done by Elman Peace in Somalia. 100 percent of your online donation goes to projects.
Many communities around the world have taken in Somali refugees. Reach out to a local refugee organization to ask how you can support Somalis in your community.
15
GAME CHANGERS
The World Was More Peaceful Last Year Than In 2016 The people behind an Australian nonprofit think
But we know there’s major room for improvement. Despite
they’ve figured out a way to measure peace,
the world being more peaceful in 2017 than in 2016, it’s actu-
and their most recent report shows the world
ally less peaceful than it was almost a decade ago. The decade’s
was more peaceful last year than in 2016. The
deterioration has been dominated by conflicts in the Middle
Institute for Peace and Economics quantifies
East and the ensuing battlefield deaths, increased terrorism,
peacefulness using 23 metrics related to three
and refugee flow. One of the most startling trends is the gap
domains: levels of safety and security, extent of
between the most and least peaceful countries, with the differ-
ongoing domestic and international conflict, and
ence in measured peace between these countries increasing.
the degree of militarization. They even analyze
The group’s analysis tackles a central question facing poli-
their findings and work with governments to
cymakers: How and why does a society transition from one
make peace achievable.
state of peace to another? According to the study, the best
According to their report, the global level of
long-term indicator of how peaceful a country will be is what
peace improved in 2017 compared to the previ-
the organization calls its level of “Positive Peace,” defined as
ous year. The greatest improvement was related
the attitudes, institutions, and structures that create and sus-
to external conflicts because many countries are
tain peaceful societies, contrasted to “Negative Peace,” which
winding down their involvement with conflicts
is simply the absence of violence and fear of violence.
in Afghanistan and Iraq. The measure of political
Positive Peace is systemic, with the most peaceful countries
terror also notably improved in all regions except
performing strongly on all eight pillars of Positive Peace: sound
for sub-Saharan Africa and the MENA region
business environment, good relations with neighbors, high
(Middle East and North Africa). Over the last
levels of human capital, acceptance of the rights of others, low
decade, 72 percent of countries reduced the size
levels of corruption, well-functioning government, free flow of
of their armed forces, 67 percent of countries ex-
information, and equitable distribution of resources. The Posi-
perienced a drop in the homicide rate, and 65 per-
tive Peace framework can be used to monitor progress moving
cent of countries reduced military expenditure.
forward to create a more peaceful world for all.
The #MeToo Movement Tells Survivors: “We Believe You” Last year was marked by report after report of men behaving badly.
fatigue. Some of us are seeing our heroes ousted, and it can be
Media powerhouses Harvey Weinstein and Matt Lauer, politicians
painful and complicated to make sense of that. It seems that
Al Franken and Roy Moore, comedian Louis C.K., actors Kevin
every week a new name was in the headlines. And the hashtag
Spacey and Dustin Hoffman, among dozens of others, all accused of
movement can even be re-traumatizing for survivors because
sexual misconduct or even assault. And it goes beyond high-profile
the responsibility of naming harassment and abuse falls on the
cases. Last year, the #MeToo movement launched as a way for wom-
shoulders of those who experienced it.
en across the globe to denounce their own experiences with sexual harassment, assault, and other misogynistic behavior.
It isn’t a perfect movement, but this purge is ultimately good for the future of how we handle sexual misconduct as a society.
The day after actress Alyssa Milano encouraged use of the hashtag
We’re sensing a change in the air. We are believing victims and
last October — originally coined by activist and organizer Tarana
holding power to account. We’re seeing the impact of putting
Burke in this context more than 10 years earlier — more than half a
collective pressure on power structures to bring about conse-
million users tweeted using the hashtag. In those same first 24 hours,
quences, with many of these men seeing social condemnation,
the term was used more than 4.7 million times on Facebook. The so-
loss of employment, and even legal repercussions. And the men
cial network even reported that 45 percent of American users had a
in our everyday lives are learning how far-reaching this issue
friend who posted the term. Most women aren’t surprised by the con-
is — that every woman has experienced misogyny. Most impor-
tent of these stories or even the vast number of them. Some men are,
tantly, we are sending a message to women that their stories are
though, because they simply hadn’t heard them before.
worth telling. Maybe, just maybe, this shift will stick. We think
For many, the overwhelming weight of the movement inspires
it will. And we can collectively take action to ensure it will.
HOW TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT GO OD
BET TER
BEST
If someone in your life tells you they’ve been sexually assaulted, follow RAINN’s tips for how to offer support. goodnewspaper.org/rainn Most of all, believe women.
Donate to the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund on GoFundMe to provide legal support to those who have experienced workplace sexual harassment, assault, or abuse.
Support survivors by volunteering for the National Sexual Assault Hotline. You will be trained to provide live, anonymous crisis support to survivors.
17
GO OD QU E ST ION S
Finding good news isn’t always easy, and finding ways
ics that matter to you. You can submit a question
to inform yourself about good things happening in the
at goodnewspaper.org/goodquestions or tweet us
world is even harder. That’s what Good Questions is
@goodgoodgoodco. Our team and the Good Good
for: to help you learn more good stuff about the top-
Good community will answer as many as possible.
2017 was the year I started to really get to know myself and become more self-aware. Do you have any recommendations on how I can grow in my self-awareness? —Richard M.
I’m studying journalism in school but am worried my classes are just teaching me “if it bleeds, it leads.” I’m inspired by the Goodnewspaper. How can I be more constructive with my journalism? —Megan K.
GOOD ACTION
GOOD SITE
Counseling — If you have the means to attend counseling, truly consider it. It
SolutionsJournalism.org — We’re huge fans of Solution Journalism
can do wonders for self-awareness, and many counselors have sliding scales
Network’s work training journalists to cover what’s missing in today’s
based on income. Apps such as Talkspace and Betterhelp can be great, too.
news: how people are responding to problems.
GOOD READ
GOOD SUBSCRIPTION
Brené Brown — You might be one of the 32 million people who have seen
Local Journalism — Subscribe to your local paper. Local journalists
Brené Brown’s TED talk , but if you haven’t read her books yet, you’re miss-
work diligently to report community issues, informing and equipping
ing out on an opportunity to get to know yourself and become a better you.
you with the most up-to-date and relevant news close to home.
GOOD EMAILS
GOOD WATCH
Enneagram Institute — The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing
Spotlight — This Academy Award-winning film told the true story of
system that’s recently grown in popularity. Every morning, the Enneagram
journalists at the Boston Globe who investigated allegations of a priest
Institute sends out an email focused on growth for your Ennegram type.
accused of sexual assault and ultimately proved the Roman Catholic
Take the test to find your type and sign up for the associated email.
Church’s cover-up of abuse. It shows the importance of journalism.
I want to better understand the criminal justice system. I’ve been hearing so much about inequality in the news, and it’s left me thinking about how I can become more knowledgable and maybe even do something about it. Advice? —Mac Y. GOOD READ
GOOD LISTEN
GOOD WATCH
The New Jim Crow — Civil rights litigator and
Marshall Project Recommendations — The Marshall
13th — In Ava DuVernay’s thought-provoking documen-
legal scholar Michelle Alexander wrote this in-
Project works on nonprofit journalism about crimi-
tary, scholars, activists, and politicians analyze the crim-
credible book about mass incarceration in an age
nal justice and put together a curated list of great
inalization of African-Americans and the United States
of colorblindness. It’s thick with data and stories
episodes to learn from at themarshallproject.org/
prison boom. It’s informative and well-made. And good
but very approachable.
records/1401-podcast
news: It’s on Netflix.
I know you guys are all about hope and optimism, and that’s why I subscribe to the Goodnewspaper. But I was wondering what other resources you could recommend for learning about why we should actually be optimistic. — Sasha M. GOOD LISTEN
GOOD DATA
GOOD READ
Rick Hanson on Sounds Good — On our podcast,
Our World In Data — We love digging through
The Better Angels of Our Nature — This book, written
Sounds Good, we had a conversation with psychologist
data that shows the many ways the world contin-
by psychologist Steven Pinker, comes recommended
Dr. Rick Hanson about the way our brains are all built
ues to become a better place. We especially rec-
by Bill Gates, one of the most realistically optimistic
with an internal negativity bias. Listen to the episode
ommend ourworldindata.org, an incredible site
people in the world, who called it “the most inspiring
wherever you listen to podcasts.
doing incredible data work.
book I’ve ever read.”
18
GOOD CLASSIFIEDS
GOOD FUN!
This is the Goodnewspaper’s Good Fun section,
friend, and challenge them to a game. Best two out
where you can take a break from all the good news
of three wins!
to have a little (more!) good fun. See if you know all
And of course, what newspaper would be complete
the answers to our Good Crossword, or play a game
without a comic? Sunday morning coffee (or choco-
of Tic-Tac-Toe with a friend. Better yet: Make a new
late milk) not included.
Find the answers to the crossword at goodnewspaper.org/crossword
GOOD CROSSWORD
GOOD COMIC
AC ROSS
DOWN
1. A person who campaigns to bring about political or social change
2. Daughter of Peace
3. A Syrian refugee who competed in the Rio Olympics and is now endorsed by Under Armour 4. The first African-American woman to be First Captain at West Point 6. This Olympian once couldn’t afford shoes but now she donates kicks to kids
5. A drone delivery system will put every single one of this country’s 12 million residents within quick reach of essential medical products 8. You’re reading it right now! 9. More women running for elected office means more _____ 10. This is the capital and most populous city of Somalia
7. This podcast is created by Good Good Good
13. The technology behind bitcoin ... and a farming cooperative in Arkansas
11. NFL player Chris Long donated his salary for _____ equality
14. Alyssa Milano encouraged use of this hashtag — originally coined by activist and organizer Tarana Burke
12. Public support for a particular cause or policy 15. The level of _____ increased in 2017 because of a decrease in external conflicts
17. This American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry
16. By giving students in Baltimore _____, school performance increased
18. We mentioned in this issue that we could see this disease end in our lifetime
19. The process of replanting an area with trees 20. Feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event
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GOOD GAME
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