Social Change for Christmas? How about an ad aimed at reducing terrorism.

December 20th, 2011

Need a reason to celebrate this time of year? Want an extremely creative example of effecting social change?

In a coming together of advertising & social responsibility, a Colombian ad agency won the grand prize at a prestigious London ad awards ceremony recently with their ad designed to reduce terrorism.

The agency sent soldiers into FARC guerrilla occupied jungles to string Christmas light (no, this isn’t a joke).

The Christmas light were designed to turn on when someone approached and light up a sign that encouraged the guerrillas to ‘demobilize’. (No word on the reaction of jungle critters as they prowled by & set off the lights.)

331 FARC fighters were inspired, in part by the PR operation, to give up their weapons, as Simon Houpt writes in the Globe & Mail.

Here’s to peace on earth, including peace in the jungle.

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When ‘other’ seems odd & you’re searching for similarities

December 15th, 2011

When differences loom large…

When ‘other’ seems odd…

When someone else’s perspective has you flummoxed…

When you’re searching for similarities…

When you’re seeking solace in same…

Adjust your perspective & know we all inhabit the same planet, as the following video beautifully illustrates.

Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael Kƶnig on Vimeo via Gaurav Julka

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Now that’s a Destination Life Lensā„¢ in full strength- taking a driving exam while in labour

December 13th, 2011

“A Scottish woman who took her driving exam while in labour said she passed the test & drove herself to the hospital to give birth” reports United Press International.

Her water broke at 4 am & she took the driving exam at 8:40 am.

“Everyone was telling me to go to the hospital, but I had waited so long for my driving test, I was determined to do it, Ms. French said.”

She kept her contractions a secret from the examiner, passed the test & drove herself to the hospital to have the baby.

Now that’s an example of a Destination Life Lensā„¢ in all her glory. determined to ‘get it done’, achieve the objective, tick the thing off her list, reach the destination.

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Diversity & cross-cultural education wrapped up in a sign

December 8th, 2011

It doesn’t get much better than this in terms of respecting diversity & cross-cultural education.

The view from our individual eyeballs is skewed. We see what we want to see, which influences our thoughts, feelings & behaviours.

To be thoroughly, completely welcomed & accepted is to invite ‘other.’ To dance with difference. To engage with other perspectives.

It’s illuminating when you can do it.

Looks like this church has the upper hand.

Care to take up the invitation in your own life & embrace diversity?

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