TakingITGlobal
TakingITGlobal, which is also known as TIG, is a charitable
History
When founding the organization in 1999, co-founders Corriero and Furdyk wanted to "work together to create a global network for young people who either have an idea that they want to develop, or who want the opportunity to work on someone else's project."
Programs
One of TIG's main offerings is its Online Community, which "guides users to a deeper awareness of social, economic, and environmental issues." It "builds a bridge between learning and action" thus "fostering mutual understanding across continents and languages."[5] There are a number of tools that users can use, from managing projects, participating in discussion boards, signing petitions and writing blogs.[6]
Awards and recognition
TakingITGlobal is notable for receiving a number of awards for its work with global youth. At the 2005 Canadian Awards for International Cooperation, TIG received the Mark Drake Award for Excellence in Communicating the Private Sector's Contribution to International Cooperation Issues.
Membership
Membership is free, and is done in keeping with the organization’s privacy policies, to aid freedom of expression, information and online security of its members. The minimum age of membership is 13 years, though teachers and/or parents are also allowed to gain membership on behalf of a minor.
Criticism
TIG came under criticism in 2008, when Mathew Trevisan of the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail commented on TIG’s size, and observed that TIG might be “too big to be effective.”[11] Apart from this, TIG was also seen by some others[who?] as one that only serves the interests of developing nations and in need of a wider appeal to attract a more global membership. Another concern was the need to initiate selective sponsorship onto its website, in order to fund its increasing impact, and its need to incorporate a more exclusive approach to its membership, without being seen as a "sell-out."[11]
See also
External links
References
- ^ "TakingITGlobal - Our People".
- ^ Azam, Sharlene. "They are IT ; Entrepreneurs Jennifer Corriero and Michael Furdyk want to connect youth with technology." Toronto Star. August 22, 2000, F01
- ^ Frank, Steven (October 12, 2001). "Helping Hands". Time Magazine, p. 67.
- ^ e-NBFC Report, page 30. The Baller Herbst Law Group, June 2008.
- ^ "TakingITGlobal: Adding Social Change to the Curriculum" Podtech.net. November 26, 2007 Archived July 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ TakingITGlobal Website
- ^ 2005 Mark Drake Award
- ^ 2007 Education Award Laureate, The Tech Awards
- ^ WorldBlue Press release
- ^ 2007 Canada's Most Powerful Women
- ^ a b Trevisan, Matthew. “Social Networking for social change.” The Globe and Mail. July 28, 2008.