Turning poverty into peace
What the Nobel Peace Prize means to Muhammad Yunus - and how it shows the way new ideas come into the world. Jurriaan Kamp and Marco Visscher| December 2006 issue When Muhammad Yunus began to lend money to hard-working poor people back in the 1970s, he wasn’t exactly following the crowd. At that Read More...
25 Intelligent Optimists
Ode asked 25 famous people–Hollywood actors, prominent politicians, scientists, authors–to nominate their favorite Intelligent Optimist, a person who isn't famous but should be for his or her work to create a better world. The result: 25 inspiring profiles of changemakers you've never heard Read More...
Danny Kennedy: Solar energy entrepreneur
Actress Cate Blanchett applauds Danny Kennedy's work in the solar power industry. He helped in turning the Sydney Theatre Company into a green building. Cate Blanchett | Jan/Feb 2010 issue I first met Danny through my husband, Andrew, and have followed his work on clean energy for years. Read More...
Charles Eisenstein: Social theorist
Author David Korten nominates a young graduate of Yale, Chareles Eisenstein who has an amazing ability to combine philosophical and spiritual depth to practical insight. One such solution he is hoping to promote is a gift economy. David Korten | Jan/Feb 2010 Read More...
Cameron Sinclair: Innovative architecture for humanity
Dean Ornish, founder and president of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, nominates Cameron Sinclair, the co-founder of Architecture for Humanity and the Open Architecture Network. Sinclair believes that designers should innovate globally to build housing, schools, clinics and other Read More...
In praise of Intelligent Optimists
Ode asked celebrated activists, artists, business people, politicians and thought leaders to pick their favorite Intelligent Optimists, individuals who aren't famous yet but should be because of the work they're doing to bring positive change to their communities, their countries and the world. Read More...
Gareth Strangemore-James: Organizer and change agent
Systems theorist and author Ervin Laszlo nominates Gareth Strangemore-James for his work in creating solutions oriented organizations such as Tsunami Relief, European Social Forum and WorldShift 2012. Ervin Laszlo | Jan/Feb 2010 Read More...
Esra'a Al Shafei: Blogger and free speech activist in the Middle East
Ode reader, Lieke Fortuin, nominates Esra'a Al Shafei for her work in mobilizing people online to support a fellow blogger who had criticized Islam. You too can nominate your favorite Intelligent Optimist online and your choice might be featured in Ode. fortunate | Jan/Feb 2010 Read More...
Dr. Denis Mukwege provides hope to women in Congo
Playwright and female activist Eve Ensler nominates Dr. Denis Mukwege for his compassion and courage to protect and heal women in his native home in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Eve Ensler | Jan/Feb 2010 issue Compassionate. Tender. Humble. Graceful. Dr. Denis Mukwege is a brave Read More...
Elise Christofias and Oya Talat: Peace activists
The first female prime minister of Norway, Gro Brundtland, says Elise and Oya work behind the scenes to bring together the divided island of Cyprus. Gro Brundtland | Jan/Feb 2010 Read More...