Sen. Gary Hart, VOYAGE Founder Nate Olson: Young Americans Poised to Lead 'New Humanitarian Movement' Worldwide 3/15/2004
From: Nate Olson, 270-993-4699 or nate.olson@voyageweb.org; Alex Little, 202-468-6460 or alex.little@voyageweb.org; both of VOYAGE WASHINGTON, March 15 -- Former U.S. senator Gary Hart and 22-year-old VOYAGE founder Nate Olson, writing in the March 14 edition of the Denver Rocky Mountain News, highlighted the opportunities that globalization presents for young Americans to act on the world's humanitarian needs. "We have a greater national purpose than mere self- protection," they said. "Blending a superpower's trade, travel and technological tools with an old-fashioned desire to help others, young people can export hope to the forgotten places of the world while importing the same spirit of international solidarity that followed 9/11." View the full piece at: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/opinion/article/0,1299,DRMN_38_2723089,00.html. Olson, who just returned from a visit to Israel and the West Bank, said today that the need for a fresh voice in the national dialogue was growing. "In the coming months, when overheated presidential politics are sure to reduce complex issues to shouting matches, it will be especially important to speak out for a foreign policy based on reason, hope, compassion, and humility." "We're honored that Senator Hart supports VOYAGE's vision," he continued. "And we're just getting warmed up. We're excited about taking our message to audiences across the country." VOYAGE (Voices of Young Americans for Global Engagement) is a movement of young people working to inspire a globally engaged America. Through public outreach and grassroots networking, the group creates a variety of forums for youth to enrich the debate on America's role in the international community. The organization's other founding members, all aged 25 or less, include: -- Rye Barcott, a U.S. Marine Lieutenant. Rye is founder of Carolina for Kibera, a nongovernmental organization serving the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya. -- Heidi Boutros, who has documented human rights abuses in Russia and India. She is currently in South Africa investigating violence against Afrikaans farmers. -- Stephen Ham, who for several years has worked closely with Dr. Jane Goodall. In Zambia last summer he conducted research in the world's largest chimpanzee sanctuary. -- Jessica Karbowski, who has volunteered with the Global Service Corps in Tanzania and taught in Ecuador's local schools. Last summer she worked at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, Nigeria. -- Alex Little, who has been involved in conflict resolution efforts in Northern Ireland, Russia, and throughout Africa. For two years Alex worked directly on peace negotiations in Sudan and Uganda with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. For more information, please visit the group's home page at http://www.voyageweb.org/ |