peace through music

Make sure you take the time to listen to this. It is brilliant! Makes me smile. 

Read more about playing for change on their website. 

Thought I would share a couple of great organisations who have only popped up this year who are already on their way to doing great things by thinking outside the square and getting creative...

[co]design studio since forming in May this year have already 5 projects under their belt. The crux of this organisation is that they collaborate with architects and designers from the countries in which they work. What better way is there to engage communities than to build capacity of the local professionals and to exchange skills and learn from one another. Such inspiring work. You can follow their progress on Facebook, Twitter and the like. 

Another great concept is from the guys at turn me ON. The idea was to host worldwide design competition to generate discussion and ideas to address the current problem of accessing clean water in rural communities in Nepal. We are looking forward to seeing what the entrants have come up with! 

Well it is wet wet wet here today! Very fitting for this year's theme for Blog Action Day 2010.

With nearly a billion people lacking access to clean water, this year the focus is on water issues in communities around the globe. Thousands of bloggers will be uniting to raise awareness and create discussion.

So if you haven't done so already get blogging and become part of a global voice.

young designers

Eco-Cubby is a fantastic initiative being implemented in schools across Victoria. Supported by City of Melbourne and Regional Arts Victoria, the program teams Architects and designers up with school children and communities to promote concepts of sustainable design.

I love how insightful children are and this program allows the students to develop a range of skills and address a number of topics from creating awareness of the living environment through to the use of maths and scale. To highlight what can be achieved, this is an Eco-Cubby that has actually been built! It was designed by the children at the University of Melbourne Early Learning Centre and opened last month!

Take a look at the Eco-Cubby blog to see what some other schools have been up to.

much lead

They made it! 3000 pencils! Great effort from the Much Lead team who are planning a suspended installation at the Object Gallery this October. 

Can't wait to see what becomes of this lovely collection of humble pencils...

compton cricket club

I saw a feature this morning on the Compton Cricket Club who will be touring our shores early next year and was intrigued as how it all started.

The Cricket concept began in 1995. Based in LA, the team was created to keep the youth of Compton away from gang activities, address homelessness through the values and ethics of cricket such as how to respect themselves and authority. 

A fundraiser for their tour was held recently in Sydney to assist in funding the tour. Take a look at the Cricket Outta Compton website to find out where you can catch a game and how you can get involved!

a world of difference

A big congratulations goes out to Fran, a friend of b+c's who is one of 8 winners in this years UK Vodafone World Of Difference program. 

Fran has taken on a role as Project Coordinator with Latin America Foundation for the Future (LAFF) in Peru for the next 12 months. LAFF reaches out to young people who have been abandoned and provides support in the form of children's homes, shelters and nurseries. 

Fran will be setting up a skills training programme involving sustainable social business ventures for the most vulnerable. We wish her all the best in her new role and thank her for inspiring us all!