Today, for Impact Journalism Day, 50 newspapers join forces to highlight stories that change the world.
Beyond the constant stream of negative news, there are many stories of hope and concrete solutions. Stories of changemakers tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues with innovative ideas, in order to change the lives of millions for the better. Stories worth reading and spreading, not only to rebalance our view of the world, but to help these existing solutions be replicated worldwide.
The media can play a crucial role in telling the individual stories behind this global movement. That’s why for the last five years Sparknews has invited newspapers to take part in Impact Journalism Day, harnessing the power of collaborative journalism to bring stories of change to the surface. Every year these newspapers explore and publish an array of groundbreaking solutions in special supplements on the same day, reaching 120 million people worldwide in print and digital media. Many publications have come to realise the impact of these articles, and now incorporate more solutions-driven stories into their day-to-day coverage of the world.
For the fifth edition of Impact Journalism Day, the media are joined by organisations that believe spreading these stories is a first step toward change. These include the United Nations as well as One Young World, which annually gathers together 1,500 young leaders from social and corporate sectors who are involved in positive innovations. A large community of well-known personalities and ordinary citizens have also joined the chorus in signing a manifesto to show that everyone — governments, the private sector, civil society, NGOs and everyday people — can take action for a better future. You, too, can be part of this transformational movement.
Discover those who have successfully brought answers to challenges such as good health, access to water, quality education, decent employment and clean energy. Each serves as a concrete example of the power of individual or group initiatives to help reach the UN New Sustainable Development Goals, to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity and good health for all.
We hope you enjoy the read…and that you become part of the solution. Sign the manifesto (sharestoriesofchange.org) and share the stories that impress you most on Facebook and Twitter (#ImpactJournalism, #StoryOfChange, @Sparknews, @the_hindu).
Christian de Boisredon, founder of Sparknews and Ashoka Fellow & The Sparknews Team.
