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What do you stand for?
Being true to you sometimes involves standing out from the crowd. If you feel strongly about something, there are going to be times when other people disagree and don’t want to hear what you have to say.
But while there are people who will give you a hard time if you stand up for someone or something, often there are plenty of others who feel the same way as you - and are waiting for someone else to act.
No matter who you are or where you’re from, everyone has the power to make a difference in the world around them. And when we’re passionate enough about something to act, it inspires other people to do the same.
Here are some people we think are great who have made the call to make a difference: 
Mel Cooper: Last year Mel volunteered at a place called Invisible Children in San Diego. Invisible Children is an organisation that’s working to help stop children being used as soldiers in northern Uganda. She’s back in NZ now, studying a Certificate in Conflict Resolution, and working to raise the profile of Invisible Children over here! Check out our Inspiring Girls interview with Mel. 
DJ Sir-vere: Sir-vere’s got his fingers in a fair few pies (he hosts the C4 Holla Hour, is editor at Back2Basics magazine, and a bunch of other stuff besides), but that didn’t stop him taking a stand and speaking up against violence when a string of violent attacks happened in South Auckland earlier this year. Sir-vere rounded up some of his buddies (who happen to include P-Money, Scribe and the Deceptikonz!) and formed the Aotearoa Allstars to record the ‘Think Twice’ single.
The Hip Hop heavyweights hope the single will encourage people to ‘think twice’ before they act. All proceeds from the single sales go to Youthline. Watch the Think Twice clip below:
Angelina Jolie: Plenty of famous people put their names and faces to causes - not many life a life that proves they mean it. Despite people talking bad about her in the media, Angelina’s kept doing her thing - and adopted three kids! - and other people have been inspired to follow her example.
The cool thing about all these people is that they saw a need and did their bit to help. They’ve taken one small step, and momentum has built around them.
Sometimes taking a stand is as simple as saying what you think, or saying ‘no’ to something, instead of saying ‘yes’. Maybe you’re passionate about a social issue or environmental cause, or fighting animal cruelty. Or maybe someone at school’s getting picked on, and you’re over it!
Check out more Positive You articles
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I would love to take a stand against animal cruelty and to stop the dolphin and whale killing in Japan! Posted by POWERBALLIN25 "on" 08/13 "at"08:38 AM |
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i love people that take a stand! im to gutless to do it most of the time! Posted by Xxc0rtxX "on" 08/08 "at"09:04 PM |
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ME self righteous for saying so??????? Posted by spami "on" 01/15 "at"05:31 AM |
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mmmm i hate bullies that’s one thing. and self-righteous ppl. but does that make Posted by spami "on" 01/15 "at"05:30 AM |
Best of the rest
If everyone cared enough, we could take a real stand against poverty, food and water scarcity, discrimination and corruption. If we were all interested and involved in what’s going on in the world today and exercised our right to have a voice we could make a huge difference.
There are a lot of engaged people out there, but apathy is also very prevalent. We are currently faced with major issues of poverty, threatened food security, water scarcity, terrorism and constant conflict between racial, political and religious groups. These issues have plagued our society for centuries and are predicted to worsen - hardly surprising if global trends are anything to go by. Faced with all these challenges, it is crucial that we combat apathy. Youth can spearhead the movement, since we will be the future leaders of NZ (and the world). Rather than just planning our personal goals, such as school and careers, why not plan some civic goals? By taking action in your local, national and global communities you can make a real, tangible difference in our world and shape a more promising future.