Program August 17 2012
Jessica Dawn Moore, Event Coordinator for the Global Idealists Organization
The global Idealists group is an Oshawa based organization that Jessica has become very involved in. Jessica is a member of the board of directors. Their mission statement and their core values are included below.
MISSION: As a growing movement throughout North America, Global Idealists will stand with those in poverty-stricken regions using creativity and consistent initiatives to ensure sustainable development through the power of education. Empowered with an idealistic mindset, our international family aims to alleviate illiteracy and provide opportunities
OUR CORE VALUES: These are the values that our organization lives by. Whether we are working with projects on the ground, making decisions with our board or simply in the streets with friends and family, our values have become a part of each and every member’s lifestyle. Global Idealists strives to be the best we can possibly be at what we do, and that's simply providing education. These values constantly remind us how we can be most efficient at doing just that.
Jessica Moore, who was one of our 2011 Phil Anastasakis Bursary Award winners, joined us this morning to tell us about her first year at University of Ottawa. The program Jessica is enrolled in is International Development and Globalization with a minor in Law. It was very challenging to be away from home and her mom who had been her teacher for most of her education. Although socially challenging academically her program was a bit boring because the first year was just general sciences.
The bursary enabled Jessica to not have to take a job in her first semester which made it possible to make the necessary adjustments, focus on her studies and settle in to university life. Second semester when she had to work was more difficult.
To fill time outside of her studies first semester Jessica starting blogging and won a Much Music Live-Foster the People contest that flew her to Toronto (paid for the Thompson Hotel, shopping and expenses). She met many interesting people and had a wonderful life experience. During February reading week she was able to go to BC to visit her Uncle and see the Olympic Village.
While at Ottawa University, Jessica joined or stayed involved with the following organizations:
- Free The Children (University of Ottawa Chapter)
- InvisAbilities
- Silent Cities (Parliament Hill)
- The Global Idealists
- Mentor for Clarington Central’s Social Activism Program
It really stuck with the group that these young people focus on the education of students past the normal grade 4 or 6 of other organizations. The Global Idealists believe that if children are not educated at a secondary or college level they cannot build their villages and communities and therefor they cannot stop the cycle of poverty.