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Organized annually, the ‘Be The Change’ (BTC) celebration provides our young superheroes from across the world a platform to showcase their stories of change. The celebration honors and recognises these young agents of change for their courage and determination to change the world around them. Starting in 2012 in India, this celebration has traveled across the world spreading its magic in Mexico, China, Spain, Taiwan, Rome(Italy), Singapore, Brazil and this year in 2022 for the first time it will be held in two regions- Malaysia and Uruguay.
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In the heartwarming embrace of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the I CAN Children’s Global Summit 2023 unfolded as a radiant tapestry of hope and transformation. Orchestrated by Design for Change (DFC global & Riverside team), the summit brought together vibrant spirits from 37+ countries, echoing the resounding theme of Local Change, Global Impact. For four magical days, 500+ participants, including children, teachers, parents, partners, and the impassioned public, immersed themselves in a celebration of resilience. The ICCGS 2023 showcased the extraordinary power harbored within the hearts of the young to sculpt a brighter world
As we offer glimpses of this transformative journey, we invite you to feel the echoes of laughter, the warmth of shared dreams, and the tears of joy that painted the canvas of ICCGS 2023—a celebration that transcended borders, ignited souls, and left an indelible mark on the landscape of our collective humanity.
On 10th December, 28 stories of change from 5 continents inspired one and all at the virtual BTC Brazil 2021 which premiered via YouTube. 'Let's Dream Together' as the theme, the DFC Brazil team showcased the first inclusive BTC - making the day all the more special. In addition to simultaneous broadcast in Spanish, Portuguese, and English, audio descriptions, subtitles, and sign languages were included for viewers with visual or auditory impairments.
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The Be The Change global celebration in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia took place on 20-21 November 2022. With the theme Happy People, Happy Planet: Designing a happier future together, this 4 day fun-filled and eventful celebration brought together 450 participants (children, teachers, parents, partners and general public) from 16+ countries came together to celebrate the "I CAN" spirit. This milestone occasion, organised together with DFC Uruguay and DFC global, featured 23 inspiring student showcases, 6 Fireside chats, 6 x masterclasses for adults, 8 x workshops for kids, cultural performances, and 2 x immersion trips.
More than 400 people attended the BTC 2022 in Montevideo, Uruguay. Design for Change delegations from India, Israel, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay participated in Be The Change Celebration in Uruguay.
A ONEderful World by Design, the first ever virtual Global ‘Be the Change’ celebration was hosted by Design for Change Singapore on the 20th November 2020, United Nations World Children’s Day. 300 Children, 50 Solutions, 25 Countries, 30 Design Sessions, 3 Regional Inspirational Sessions, 1 Global Celebration rejoicing the united power and the spirit of collective action to change the world, together!!
Children from over 40 countries around the world poured into Rome at the end of November 2019 to celebrate the first ever, all faith, inclusive 'I CAN Children's Global Summit'! More than 2,500 of these young superheroes, aged 7 to 17 years old, were the protagonists of this inspiring four-day event filled with celebration, creativity and sharing, that culminated in a special private audience with Pope Francis inside Vatican City's Aula Paula VI Hall.
'Be the change Celebration' 2018 - Taiwan saw the superheroes unite in a way that has never been seen before. Games, activities, and mesmerizing performances lit smiles of unity throughout the world and paved the way for togetherness. This celebration was a true testament to the power of children and their ability to bring us all together!
Two days of living the magic. The magic in the wisdom, workshops, dancing, music, and laughing. The magic in the unity of people from 29 countries celebrating a common cause. The magic of the impact that young superheroes have in the present. The magic of being Better Together. The magic of being one. In the sixth edition of the ‘Be the change celebration,’ Spain showed the world the true power and magic of children.
1,2,3 I CAN!!! The 2016 BTC celebration in China encouraged superheroes from over 20 countries to Feel, Imagine, Do, and Share, by using their superpowers to identify and solve problems in society. This electrical weekend embodied the spirit of ‘I CAN!’ and left excitement, memories, and a desire for change imprinted on all those that attended.
The first-ever Be the Change Conference, later renamed the Be the Change Celebration, was held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, at the birthplace of Design for Change. With two international delegations—one from the UK and one from Taiwan—the three days were filled with action-packed activities celebrating young superheroes. This inaugural event was truly unique, setting the stage for what has now become an annual hallmark of the Design for Change movement.
Be the Change 2015 gathered several superheroes worldwide to the beautiful country of Mexico where they shared their experiences, enjoyed a variety of different activities, and participated in workshops where they showcased their ability to bring about change with the ‘I CAN’ attitude. Their actions showed that everybody can make a difference, one change at a time.
The last weekend of September 2014 saw 150 superheroes from 60 schools, 21 countries, who spoke 22 different languages to gather at our completely child-led ‘Be the change conference.' to showcase their immense talent and ability to bring about positive change.
The very first ‘Be the Change Conference’ 2013 was truly a sight to behold. From the very beginning, it was clear the shackles weighing down the influence of our superheroes were to be lifted, unlocking their true potential. The sharing of personal experiences and the unity of superpowers from all over the world helped lay the foundation of a new revolution, a revolution of change, a revolution of ‘I CAN!’
