Ideas for Change

The Internet has become a major player in our society. With its help, people are able to be involved not just in their community but around the world. On Wednesday June 10, WikiStage MakeSense addressed the role of the Internet through the wonderful words of four amazing speakers: Christian Vanizette, Des Gachons Benjamin, Julien De Sousa, and the beautiful Chloé Chambraud. Topics ranged from one’s civic duties to one’s role models. The evening started with WikiStage’s founder, Johannes Bittel, introducing WikiStage and its goal. The room was filled with beautiful faces from different backgrounds interested in what was being said. I think this shows the diverse group of people that WikiStage attracts. Christian Vanizette, Co-founder of MakeSense team, told us how with the help of the Internet, he and a few friends were able to influence the politician in his home city, Tahiti. They started a blog where they wrote about social issues that caught the attention of the politician and the media. This is how his journey started that ultimately lead him to create MakeSense, a participative platform that helps social entrepreneurs solve problems. Des Gachons Benjamin pointed out that 80 percent of French citizens do not trust their political representative. But he pointed out, "With the help of the Internet, our civic duties are not expressed every five years when we vote, but every day.” Julien De Sousa talked to us about role models and heroes. "Heroes help us better ourselves," he said. "They push us to be better." Chloé Chambraud discussed how to make an enterprise more social since social entrepreneurship gives more value to the work inside the company. She presented three characteristics of a social enterprise: it has to answer social and/or environmental needs, they are the heart of the company and it is free. After hearing the talks, listeners were given the chance to network and converse with the speakers over some delicious fingers foods in a joyful environment.  

When it comes to creativity, most assume you have it or you don't. People have this idea that some are just born with it. But according to two WikiStage speakers, creativity takes time and work. Creativity is not a simple eureka moment admits Martin Kupp, associate professor for entrepreneurship at ESCP Europe. At the moment, these ideas might feel like "AH HA" moments, but you have to actively see them through. "Everyone has the creative, creative abilities that it takes to solve these kind of problems and to come up with these new ideas. But you have to work hard," Kupp says.   While people tend to describe me as creative, I still have to work hard and dedicate my time. I might have several "sparks of curiosity" as creativity speaker Petronela Zainuddin calls them, but not all of my sparks turn into flames. I admit I have countless unfinished projects floating about because I never gave these sparkles a chance to become flames. I didn't nurture my ideas, and they died out. But why? After listening to both Zainuddin's and Kupp's WikiTalks, I felt inspired. When Zainuddin asked the audience to take an object out of their bags and ask 10 questions, I pulled out my journal. Why do I carry this notebook everywhere? What would happen if a stranger read it? Why did I get it in black? Would I be sad if I lost it? The questions came easily. My journal is the place where I record all my thoughts and ideas. So it was only fitting I picked it.   After finishing both WikiTalks, I replayed them so I could jot down notes in my journal. I clung onto every word, and I became aware of what was holding me back. Zainuddin said it is important for one to find a passion to help turn our sparkles into creative flames. Passion. That's what had been missing from my creative endeavors and the reason why I had countless unfinished projects. Passion. That's what's necessary to maintain one's creativity.     

Hello and welcome everyone! We have been working hard for a while now, and so it gives us great pleasure to present our new website. It is finally ready and so are we! We want to make this blog an important part of WikiStage, and what’s more, we want you to contribute! We would love to hear your stories and your experiences with WikiStage from all over the world. After all, we are the space for global, open debate. Even though WikiStage is a video platform, we praise the written word. All contributions need to be written in English, but don’t let lack of confidence get in the way! We will read and edit everything making sure it is coherent before posting. If writing is your cup of tea, we will be more than happy to welcome you as a regular contributor. Moreover, since we deeply believe that you learn and progress your entire life, we are always open for suggestions. Do not hesitate to contact us if you think you can help us improve. Having said that, let’s get started! Follow us and send your contributions to the email address in the picture!