The theme for World Thinking Day 2013 is girls worldwide say "together we can save children's lives." This theme is based on United Nation's Millennium Development Goal 4, which is focused on reducing child mortality rates around the globe.

To earn the award, girls complete one or more activities below.


 

• Did you know that in some countries one out of every 10 children dies before the age of five because their basic needs are not met? Yet if all children had nutritious food and clean water, many deaths could be prevented. If children had good medical treatment and vaccinations, even more deaths could be prevented. The goal of World Thinking Day, and the aim of the fourth UN Millennium Development Goal, is to reduce the number of babies and young children who die. Brainstorm your ideas about some basic things that would save a lot of lives. Then show your support for this goal by making posters with some facts about child mortality and solutions to the problem.
• If everyone had access to clean water, much of the disease in the world could be prevented. However, every day, nearly 5,000 people die from diseases like diarrhea which are caused by dirty water. It is much more difficult to stay clean and healthy when safe water is scarce and has to be carried over long distances. Investigate global water issues on this WebQuest to find out why it's so hard to access clean water in some parts of the world. Share what you learn with your family and friends.
• Think about how many objects and people you touch in a day. As a group, write down all the objects you touched today. Then, have someone read each item out loud while asking everyone who has touched the item today to raise their hands. The list may include items such as chairs, books, papers computers or the bathroom door. Ask if it is possible that some of you touched the same items? Is it likely that diseases were being spread? What are some ways to prevent spreading diseases?
• Organize an art show at your school or community center. Display pictures, paintings, photographs, or a mural showing how poverty and hunger affects children around the world. Can you include some solutions on ways to prevent undernourishment?
• Check out the story of the Super Shelter Makers in the Agent of Change Girl Scout Leadership Journey, about how girls raise awareness about their town's run down animal shelter. What are ways you can take action to make sure that young children have what they need to survive?
• Invite a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer to speak to your group about her/his Peace Corps experience in the country where she/he served. Specifically, ask the volunteer to speak about her/his experiences working with children and what their lives were like in the community. Were they able to help prevent childhood illnesses? Not familiar with the Peace Corps? Watch A Legacy of Service and see Peace Corps Speakers Tip Sheet (PDF). If you cannot find a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer in your community, try contacting a local university and invite an international student to speak.