by Brian Metcalfe  - Technology Education

By Brian Metcalfe - Technology Education

On Thursday, October 21, 2004, ManACE, MERLIN and MindSet arranged to have Michael Furdyk, the 22 year old, co-founder and Director of Technology for "TakingITGlobal.org", speak to a group of interested individuals. Unfortunately for me, Michael's presentation was scheduled for the evening just prior to the annual Special Area Group (SAG) professional development day. Although Michael's address entitled "Presenting ideas on the future of technology in our society" was captivating, I must admit I debated attending. As a regular SAG presenter I had all my handouts prepared and duplicated, but I am always "tweaking" my presentation the night before any major, full-day workshop. Thankfully I made the right decision! Rather than begin reviewing my SAG presentation after supper at 7:00 p.m. as originally planned, I attended Michael Furdyk's presentation and delayed my workshop review until 10:00 pm when I got home that evening. In hindsight, I consider myself extremely fortunate to have attended and heard Michael's message. The purpose of this article is to share what I learned from Michael's presentation so readers can better connect students and interested youth to the global community through the "TakingITGlobal.org " initiative.

Who is Michael Furdyk?

To put things into perspective, Michael Furdyk was born in Toronto in 1982, the same year that the Commodore 64 computer appeared on the market and the same year that I became a Computer Education consultant for the Winnipeg School Division.

Michael, at the age of 8, began his first business with his friend Sean. Together they posted signs throughout the neighbourhood offering to teach others how to use computers. Michael jokes that when the two young entrepreneurs were finalizing their company name of "M & S Enterprises" both sets of parents insisted that Michael's name (and initial) be listed first.

Michael Furdyk began using Internet Relay Chat (IRC) to network with other technologically-savvy individuals world-wide. In 1996, Michael began chatting with Michael Hayman, an Australian teenager, who also had created a popular web site. The two Michaels decided to merge their respective web endeavours and create a combined site called "MyDesktop.com". Their on-line computer help service grew to reach over 500,000 monthly users and they collected as much as $20,000 per month in advertising revenue. In 1999, the two Michael's decided to sell the seven web sites and eight e-mail newsletters which formed "MyDesktop.com" to the US based "Internet.com" for more than $1 million and investment capital in their next web venture called "BuyBuddy.com". Much media attention was focused on this sale as both co-owners were still teenagers. Thousands of e-mail messages from young people around the world were sent to the teenage entrepreneurs and Michael Furdyk began thinking about how he might create a global organization to address the needs of young people.

However, the two Michael's were challenged with the task of getting the "BuyBuddy.com" web resource operational so that consumers could comparison shop on-line, gain product information, prices, user reviews and related products. In September 2000, the "BuyBuddy" team raised $4.5 million of venture capital but the down turn in the stock market in late 2001 caused the site to scale down. Throughout this roller coaster "dot-com" ride, Michael was far more focused on entrepreneurship than on the technology and his realization that the youth of the world, together with the networking capabilities of the Internet were a very powerful resource. Michael has been named by "Profit Magazine" as one of the "10 entrepreneurs who shaped the year 1999" and "Teen People" as one of the "Ten Teens That Will Change The World" in 2000.

True, Michael Furdyk is probably a very wealthy young man but his meaningful message of last October was one of philanthropy and the vision that he shares with Jennifer Corriero.

Who is Jennifer Corriero?

Jennifer and Michael Furdyk form a very invigorating and high-energy partnership. Both are from Toronto and both are youthful, in than Jennifer is just two years older than Michael. Jennifer and Michael are the co-founders of "TakingITGlobal.org". Like Michael, Jennifer embraced technology from an early age and as a teenager developed the Cool Girls web site at: http://www.coolgirls.net/ with two other teens Tsipora Mankovsky and Tania Botticella. This trio created a virtual community which provided a mechanism to allow girls to learn about women's history, connect with each other and dialogue about important issues while embracing technology.

"Technology can enable people to surpass limits -- and reach beyond what they thought possible ... Technology is about connectivity; it's about thinking and learning in ways that are truly relevant and meaningful for individuals. It affects the way we think, learn and educate ourselves. If we don't integrate and embrace this new medium and become truly literate, we will lose a critical dimension in education."                               - Jennifer Corriero

In the summer of 1997, Jennifer next joined the NRG Group (pronounced "energy") in Toronto. The NRG Group offered students the opportunity, for example, to create web sites or work on projects for "real" companies. Jennifer developed and implemented the GirlsAreIT! and KidsAreIT! (Information Technology) programs which were delivered to 750 teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18. It was here that Jennifer and Michael first met and it was here that Don Tapscott, the author of "Growing Up Digital: The Rise of the Next Generation" (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1998) first met the "dynamic duo". As a consultant to Microsoft, Don recommended that these two teenagers should be hired in order to glean information about what the next generation of workers will be like and what product and services they'll want. In 2000, Jennifer and Michael spent six months with Microsoft in Redmond Washington. It was during this time that both Jennifer and Michael had an opportunity to meet and share their perspectives with thousands of individuals through the media and at conferences throughout the world.

However it was in 1999, that the idea for "TakingITGlobal" first was considered. Jennifer and Michael were attending a youth conference in Ottawa. As they roller-bladed down Parliament Hill, they began to reflect on the wealth of experiences that they had over the previous few years, using technology and the Internet in a global community, consulting for major corporations, advising governments, speaking at conferences, and being listened to. They wondered why other young people couldn't find out and get involved in such initiatives. "What if every young person was connected with the kinds of opportunities we had?" The idea and focus for "TakingITGlobal" grew out of that basic question and expanded into a dynamic, non-profit, collaborative world-wide network for youth.

Are there any Canadian youth that have already made a significant impact?

Michael believes very strongly in the innovation and power of our youth today. To back up his claim, he shared examples, such as the following, which demonstrate different ways Canadian youth have made and continue to make an impact.

• The Ladybug Foundation Inc. at: http://www.ladybugfoundation.ca/default.asp
  We in Winnipeg, are well aware of Hannah Taylor, an eight year old student at Balmoral Hall, who began painting ladybugs on jars which she used to collect donations for the homeless after witnessing a man eat out of a garbage can. Hannah’s efforts are credited with directly or indirectly raising more than $300,000 to help the less fortunate.
   
• Meal Exchange at: http://www.mealexchange.com/
  Rahul Raj, a 17 year old student at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, ignores a friend's suggestion that they can use their excess meal plan points to buy a lifetime supply of gum. Rahul began with  "Skip A Meal" which evolved into encouraging students to use excess meal plan funds to help the homeless and poor. This endeavour has now spread to more than 45 campuses across Canada.
   
• Young Inventors International at: http://www.younginventorsinternational.com/
  Anne Swift, a University of Toronto student, created this web site to provide young people with skills and knowledge about entrepreneurship and invention.
   
• Engineers without Borders at: http://www.ewb.ca/
  Parker Mitchell and George Roter, two university friends, create this mechanism to have Canadian engineers help solve developing-country problems. "A celebration on September 2, 2004 marked three important milestones in Engineers Without Borders' short history —100 volunteers sent overseas to contribute over 100,000 hours of their time, and $1,000,000 of new funds raised for international development work."
   
• Skyfish Project at: http://www.skyfishproject.org/index.html
  Severn Cullis-Suzuki created Skyfish to promote individual responsibility for the environment in which we live. Check out her "Recognition of Responsibility" and see if you, and perhaps your class, might like to join the 2960 individuals who have made a commitment to change to a more sustainable lifestyle.
   
• Canada Helps at: http://www.canadahelps.org/
  Started by three university students to enable Canadians to donate directly to any registered Canadian charity.
   
• Ryan's Well at: http://www.ryanswell.ca/
  Ryan Hreljac's was just 6 years old when his Grade 1 teacher told him that every eight seconds someone dies from drinking unsafe water. Over the next four months, Ryan did extra chores and raised $70.00 (which he felt was the amount needed to drill a well in Africa). To date, he has helped raise over $1 million and supported more than 120 water and sanitation projects in eight developing countries, seven of which are in Africa.  

• Kids Can Free the Children at: http://www.freethechildren.org/
  Craig Kielburger, a young Canadian who at the age of 12, was shocked to read that a boy his age in Pakistan had been murdered for speaking out against child-labour laws. With a number of friends who were also 12 years of age, Craig formed an organization called "Free the Children". Today its primary goal "is not only to free children from poverty and exploitation, but to also free children and young people from the idea that they are powerless to bring about positive social change and to improve the lives of their peers."

These examples demonstrate ways Canadian youth can make a significant difference. Michael suggested that educators should highlight such stories to "inspire" their students. Once students are "informed", it is much more likely that they will become "involved". In fact, these three words "Inspire, Inform and Involve" have become the rallying motto of "TakingITGlobal.org".

What is "TakingITGlobal.org" at: http://www.takingitglobal.org

In 2000, Michael and Jennifer launched "TakingITGlobal.org" (TIG) which immediately attracted the attention of youth world-wide who came together to discuss issues and find opportunities. This international organization, with a staff of 20-25 in Toronto, is led by youth using the power of technology to network and share their creativity and ideas. More than 54,000 have become members and the "TakingITGlobal" web site receives more than 1.2 million hits daily. Right from the opening, energy-charged Flash introduction, one is overwhelmed by the wealth of initiatives and opportunities that are addressed on this web site. The following popup overview, with on-line links, will help readers comprehend the diversity of resources and opportunities that are part of the "TakingITGlobal" operation.

I challenge readers to visit the "TakingITGlobal.org" web site and browse through the multitude of material that is presented in a variety of languages. In his presentation, Michael stated that he felt an important ingredient in life-long learning was for each of us to have two mentors - one half our age and one twice our age. In addition, he wanted to foster entrepreneurship and risk-taking in the youth of today. For Michael, the inventor Thomas Edison, had the right outlook and optimism when he stated "I haven't failed. I've found 10,000 ways that don't work." Undoubtedly, the "TakingITGlobal" initiative provides the opportunity for mentors and support to be provided to youth regardless of physical boundaries and the synergy that can be harnessed would make Edison proud. No doubt about it, this site can inspire, inform, and get youth involved.

To assist readers and particularly educators, I have taken the liberty to select a variety of links off this "TakingITGlobal.org" web site which I felt might be of particular interest to readers. These include:

• The IMPACT of TakingITGlobal at:
  http://www.takingitglobal.org/aboutus/tigimpact/Impact-of-TakingITGlobal.pdf
• The Global Gallery at: http://www.takingitglobal.org/express/gallery/index.html
  "The Global Gallery is a platform for artistic expression that aims to promote cross-cultural understanding worldwide. Creativity unveils hidden perspectives and unique details that provoke the mind and shake the heart in the battle against indifference."
• TakingITGlobal - Guide to Action at: http://www.takingitglobal.org/guidetoaction/TIG_Action_Guide.pdf
• TakingITGlobal - Canada at: http://canada.takingitglobal.org/home.html
• The TakingITGlobal Youth Film Festival Toolkit (24 page PDF resource) at: http://www.takingitglobal.org/action/tkdown.html/229/toolkitfinal.pdf
• "Globalize This" - Macklin Public School Film Festival PROJECT SCRAPBOOK
  (a 72 page PDF resource) at: http://www.tiged.org/scrapbook/macklin_scrapbook.pdf
  "Over the course of the 2003-04 school year, TakingITGlobal worked on an exciting film project with an eighth grade class at Macklin Public School in Toronto, ON, Canada, to improve their understanding of global issues, inspire them to become involved in their community, and learn new technological and social skills."
• TIGed: TIG in Education at: http://projects.takingitglobal.org/tiged
  "TIGed is a new initiative of TakingITGlobal that aims to transform educational experiences in ways that promote peer-to-peer, participatory learning, global awareness and meaningful uses of technology."
• TIGed: A new world of on-line learning at: http://www.tiged.org/
• 10 Ways to Use TIG in the Classroom at: http://www.tiged.org/guide/10ways/10ways.pdf

Although I was unable to acquire a copy of Michael's PowerPoint presentation of October 21st, I was able to find a similar resource in PDF format that Michael and Jennifer made at the 2004 Canadian Association For Co-operative Education Conference. Their presentation entitled "Connecting with the Future: Young People, Technology, and the Next Economy" at: http://www.cafce.ca/downloadables/ConfFurdyk-Corriero.pdf  touched on some similar topics and areas that Michel shared with us in Winnipeg.

In conclusion, I want to again thank ManACE, MERLIN and MindSet for arranging to have Michael Furdyk speak to us and share his vision of how "TakingITGlobal.org" will inspire, inform and involve the youth of the world.

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