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In our first interview with Honorable Dr Sam Agatre Okuonzi we discussed child welfare, health policy and systems, and the role of education for a robust health system. Honorable Dr Sam Agatre Okuonzi (http://www.parliament.go.ug/new/)Member of Parliament, Uganda (http://www.opm.go.ug/)is a knowledgeable and experienced public health professional and has for about 20 years taught at university while practicing public health. He is currently a member of the Uganda Parliament. A medical doctor by training and a health economist with PhD in health policy and health systems development, he applies his knowledge and experience of health planning, management and policy in national policy development and legislation at the parliament. An article just published in The Journal of Global Health Care Systems, a peer review journal, written with my Senior Vice President of Global and Community Public Health titled Collaborative Method for Public Managers and NGO Leaders: Implementing Policy for Social Change, spotlights a collaborative partnership approach for developing and garnering support for my Nongovernmental Organization To Love Children’s Healthy and Smart, a HIV/AIDS prevention curriculum strategy. We instigated effective social change and public policy by forming collaborative partnerships. We examined as the essence of collaborative partnerships with key public policy and administrative actors is its alignment with a nation’s social development policy. I am particularly excited about our show as I have an opportunity to continue our dialogue with an international health expert. The show today is titled A Conversation with Member of Parliament’s Honorable Dr Sam Agatre Okuonzi, Uganda. My guest today is working for the rehabilitation of northern Uganda. He is an expert on Health policy and Health Systems; Honorable Dr Sam Agatre Okuonzi, Member of Parliament Uganda. He was a key actor in the development of the Uganda's Health Sector Strategic Plans I and II, the National Child welfare Strategic Plan (http://www.mglsd.go.ug/), and numerous national health programs and projects. Come and listen to our guest as he discusses: Uganda’s Early Childhood Development policy framework, Nutrition and Early Childhood Development, gender sensitive approach for infant and maternal mortality reduction, and the role of boys and men to be part of and support gender equality in educational development capacity programs in Uganda.

"On July 19th, 2011, the United Nations (UN) passed a resolution urging governments across the globe to start measuring happiness and well-being “with a view to guiding public policy." I am pleased to welcome back to The Global Child, to continue our conversation with Randy Taran, Founder, and Chief Happiness Officer of Project Happiness. (http://www.projecthappiness.com) Randy created WellBeingNOW TM a two day workshop designed to provide those who care for others a toolkit of skills to in order to thrive, in a classroom, the home, or any stressful environment. Randy believes it is important to support well-being of educators, health professionals, and parents and provide them with the skills and resilience required to support the well-being of children. Come join us for part two and learn about 9 science-based strategies of WELL-BEING (NOW). This is a two day workshop offered by Project Happiness. Listen how you may integrate new strategies of well-being into your life. On our first show we discussed; 1) Working Brain Working Mind -2) Emotional Intelligence - 3) Living with Empathy and 4) Learning Self-Compassion. In part two of our conversation we continue our discussion and cover topics such as; 5) Building Beliefs -6) Empowering Strengths -7) Intentions & Purpose -8) Navigating the NOW – and 9) Gratitude & Giving Back. Randy Taran is co-author of the Project Happiness Handbook, (http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-author=Randy%20Taran&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARandy%20Taran) and producer of the award winning film Project Happiness. (http://www.amazon.com/Project-Happiness-Richard-Gere/dp/B006Z94OW0/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1372197717&sr=1-1&keywords=project+happiness) The film features students from the US, Nigeria and India working together for one year to explore the question, “What brings lasting happiness?” Along the way, they interview George Lucas, Richard Gere, neuroscientist Richard Davidson, and ultimately meet in India for an audience with the Dalai Lama. Randy speaks regularly on various happiness and youth-related issues, and is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post. She serves on the Board of the Dalai Lama Foundation. Sit back and enjoy a thought provoking show.

"On July 19th, 2011, the United Nations (UN) passed a resolution urging governments across the globe to start measuring happiness and well-being “with a view to guiding public policy." I am pleased to welcome back to The Global Child, Randy Taran, Founder, and Chief Happiness Officer of Project Happiness. (http://www.projecthappiness.com) Randy created WellBeingNOW TM a two day workshop designed to provide those who care for others a toolkit of skills to in order to thrive, in a classroom, the home, or any stressful environment. Randy believes it is important to support well-being of educators, health professionals, and parents and provide them with the skills and resilience required to support the well-being of children. Come join us for a two part conversation learn about 9 science-based strategies of WELL-BEING. This is a two day workshop offered by Project Happiness. Listen how you may integrate new strategies of well-being into your life. Today, the first of two shows we will discuss; 1) Working Brain Working Mind -2) Emotional Intelligence - 3) Living with Empathy and 4) Learning Self-Compassion. In part two of our conversation the following week we will continue our discussion and cover topics such as; 5) Building Beliefs -6) Empowering Strengths -7) Intentions & Purpose -8) Navigating the NOW – and 9) Gratitude & Giving Back. Randy Taran is co-author of the Project Happiness Handbook (http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-author=Randy%20Taran&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARandy%20Taran), and producer of the award winning film Project Happiness. (http://www.amazon.com/Project-Happiness-Richard-Gere/dp/B006Z94OW0/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1372197717&sr=1-1&keywords=project+happiness) The film features students from the US, Nigeria and India working together for one year to explore the question, “What brings lasting happiness?” Along the way, they interview George Lucas, Richard Gere, neuroscientist Richard Davidson, and ultimately meet in India for an audience with the Dalai Lama. Randy speaks regularly on various happiness and youth-related issues, and is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post. She serves on the Board of the Dalai Lama Foundation. Sit back and enjoy a thought provoking show.

In an article from James Bernard Quilligan: Beyond State Capitalism (http://onthecommons.org/beyond-state-capitalism)The Commons Economy in our Lifetimes, Mr. Quilligan wrote "Our global economic system is now in grave crisis, threatening the entire planet, its institutions and species. A new kind of common wealth is needed to protect the assets of Earth, resolve our private and public debts, and create a global society of justice, sharing and sustainability for everyone". There is no universally accepted definition of what constitutes global commons. However, in an international report from 1980, backed by several international organizations, global commons are said to include the oceans, the atmosphere, "parts of the earth's surface beyond national jurisdictions," and Antarctica. The concept is sometimes broadened to include social, intellectual and cultural resources such as traditions, languages, and scientific knowledge. James Bernard Quilligan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpO2bzfRFWg)has been an analyst and administrator in the field of international development since 1975. He has served as policy adviser and writer for many international politicians and leaders, including Pierre Trudeau, François Mitterand, Edward Heath, Julius Nyerere, Olof Palme, Willy Brandt, Jimmy Carter, and Tony Blair. He is currently on leave of absence as an international speechwriter for His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan of Jordan. Mr. Quilligan was a policy adviser and press secretary for the Brandt Commission (1978-1984) and the co-founder and policy development director of the Coalition for the Global Commons (2007-2008). He is presently Managing Director of the Centre for Global Negotiations and Chairman for the Secretariat of Global Commons Trust, which develops innovative means of restoring value—beyond business and government— through people’s social, cultural, intellectual, genetic and natural resource commons. He is also collaborating with Prince El Hassan and many United Nations agencies on global commons issues. How will this new paradigm of a Global Commons (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrKAFcRvK1o)effect the life of the global child? First we need to understand development in a new way. How do we create awareness in order to build relationships and new accountability structures that will create positive social change for children? In part two of our conversation we will discuss development from the perspective of trust communities, the commo

In an article from James Bernard Quilligan: Beyond State Capitalism (http://onthecommons.org/beyond-state-capitalism)The Commons Economy in our Lifetimes, Mr. Quilligan wrote "Our global economic system is now in grave crisis, threatening the entire planet, its institutions and species. A new kind of common wealth is needed to protect the assets of Earth, resolve our private and public debts, and create a global society of justice, sharing and sustainability for everyone". There is no universally accepted definition of what constitutes global commons. However, in an international report from 1980, backed by several international organizations, global commons are said to include the oceans, the atmosphere, "parts of the earth's surface beyond national jurisdictions," and Antarctica. The concept is sometimes broadened to include social, intellectual and cultural resources such as traditions, languages, and scientific knowledge. How will this new paradigm of a Global Commons (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrKAFcRvK1o)effect the life of the global child? First we need to understand development in a new way. How do we create awareness in order to build relationships and new accountability structures that will create positive social change for children?What are social charters, the common trust, and the health commons, James Bernard Quilligan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpO2bzfRFWg)has been an analyst and administrator in the field of international development since 1975. He has served as policy advisor and writer for many international politicians and leaders, including Pierre Trudeau, François Mitterand, Edward Heath, Julius Nyerere, Olof Palme, Willy Brandt, Jimmy Carter, and Tony Blair. He is currently on leave of absence as an international speechwriter for His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan of Jordan. Mr. Quilligan was a policy adviser and press secretary for the Brandt Commission (1978-1984) and the co-founder and policy development director of the Coalition for the Global Commons (2007-2008). He is presently Managing Director of the Centre for Global Negotiations and Chairman for the Secretariat of Global Commons Trust, which develops innovative means of restoring value—beyond business and government—through people’s social, cultural, intellectual, genetic and natural resource commons. He is also collaborating with Prince El Hassan and many United Nations agencies on global commons issues. Mr Quilligan has been an economic consultant

In the second part of our conversation with Dr. Olga Zbarskaya, she emphasized the importance of various creativity training's for educators and other professionals and delves deeper to discuss the physiological mechanisms and limitations associated with creativity. Dr.Zbarskaya shares her vision on multiple issues related to creativity: stereotypes, mind predictions, self-determination, mind stimulation, patterns formation, paths to invention, creativity and mental conditions, creative administration, and appreciation of novelty. Our guest, Dr. Olga Zbarskaya life's work includes teaching creative thinking as "one of the most complex and comprehensive, conceptual and practical, qualitative and quantitative phenomena". Dr. Zbarskaya trains licensed professionals in NYC on creative education, learning through self-perception and self-determination, stimulating young children’s creative potentials, fostering a sense of self, motivation, incubation of ideas, and complex approaches toward reality. Olga emphasized, "Creativity promotes intellectual growth and cognitive development in children and decreases accumulated aggressive or destructive tendencies and urges.” Dr. Olga Zbarskaya, Ph.D., ACSW, MSW, MA is a SUNY Certified & New York State Accredited Trainer. She is the Senior Administrative Director of Early Learn at Cardinal McCloskey Community Services. She describes herself as a simple individual with diverse interests and hobbies. Olga was born in Odessa, Ukraine. She lives in America since 1996. Each of us was born with a sense of wonder, a curiosity about the world we found ourselves in. If we had an opportunity to draw on the walls, bang pots and pans together, peek around the corner or take a toy or thing apart to see what made it work, made us each a creative person. What is the most creative question a young child asks to expand his/her understanding? It is just one word: "WHY"? Dr. Olga Zbarskaya question "WHY" pertaining to the creative approach towards education, initially was asked in Ukraine in 1993. As a postgraduate student, she offered Odessa institute of teachers, the new creative curriculum for elementary education based on cultural self-determination of young children. For more than 15 years, she trains MYC trainers, teachers, child care providers, and administrators. She presents at various conferences, lectures, writes poetry, stages shows, and serves as a consultant to various agencies. Olga staged her poetry sh

I gave a speech in Uganda in 2004 where I first said that "children need education like a dam needs water in which to channel its energy" Children also require love, health, peace, and the freedom to be creative. Sara Gable of University of Missouri State Extension said that creativity is not a product you create but a process you live. Our guest, Dr. Olga Zbarskaya life's work includes teaching creative thinking as "one of the most complex and comprehensive, conceptual and practical, qualitative and quantitative phenomena". Dr. Zbarskaya trains licensed professionals in NYC on creative education, learning through self-perception and self-determination, stimulating young children’s creative potentials, fostering a sense of self, motivation, incubation of ideas, and complex approaches toward reality. Olga emphasized that "creativity promotes intellectual growth and cognitive development in children and decreases accumulated aggressive or destructive tendencies and urges". Dr. Olga Zbarskaya, Ph.D, ACSW, MSW, MA is a SUNY Certified & New York State Accredited Trainer. She is the Senior Administrative Director of Early Learn at Cardinal McCloskey Community Services. She describes herself as a simple individual with diverse interests and hobbies. Olga was born in Odessa, Ukraine. She lives in America since 1996. Her mom is a microbiologist and her dad is an inventor in a shipbuilding industry. Each of us was born with a sense of wonder, a curiosity about the world we found ourselves in. If we had an opportunity to draw on the walls, bang pots and pans together, peek around the corner or take a toy or thing apart to see what made it work, made us each a creative person. What is the most creative word a small child says to expand his/her understanding? It is just one word: "WHY"? Dr. Zbarskaya's question "WHY "pertaining to the creative approach towards education initially was asked in Ukraine in 1993. As a postgraduate student, she offered Odessa institute of teachers, the new creative curriculum for elementary education based on cultural self-determination of young children. For more than 15 years, she trains MYC trainers, teachers, child care providers, and administrators. She presents at various conferences, lectures, writes poetry, stages shows, and serves as a constant to various agencies. Olga staged her poetry shows in the United Nations and other settings. If you ever wondered how to invent things and think

The Center for Disability and Rehabilitation (Center for Disability and Rehabilitation – Link to: http://cdruganda.org/)Uganda (CDR) vision is to strive for “a society with disability inclusive environment that upholds the rights of children/ persons with special needs” CDR (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Disability-and-Rehabilitation/471089286294304)exists to promote disability rehabilitation and protection of children /persons with special needs through research, information sharing, advocacy, capacity building and direct service delivery using Community Based Rehabilitation and Home Based Care approaches. CDR seeks to increase access to opportunities for children/persons with special needs and their families, and strengthen community based monitoring and evaluation to improve service delivery and accountability. CDR supports over 2000 children annually in Central Uganda using community based rehabilitation, home based care/therapy, parents’ network initiative (parents’ connections, siblings connections and community connections). Join us as we talk with Sarah Nampeera, a 29 years old Ugandan young woman who has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Adult and Community Development, obtained from a Ugandan public university known as Kyambogo University. Hear about a remarkable young woman who has worked with ordinary young people aged 12 -28 years of age in Eastern Uganda. For three and half years Sarah worked in many areas in order to serve children; entrepreneurship, how to create a sustainable livelihood, life skills, development of organizational management skills with Civil Society Organizations which are youth led as well as as sexual reproductive health. She worked for the charity British organization Restless Development (Uganda) first a volunteer for eight months then as an intern for two and half years.Sarah is currently working with Center for Disability and Rehabilitation, Uganda. Sarah decided to work with children and young people with special needs because she had realized that in Uganda such categories of people are left behind in terms of early childhood development, education both formal and non-formal to support their independence during adulthood. At the center, she has initiated a jewelry project for girls with and without special needs so as to have income generating skills. Sarah initiated Uganda sign language sessions for deaf and hard of hearing children and youth so that they may be able to communicate with their pa

The Center for Disability and Rehabilitation (http://cdruganda.org/)Uganda (CDR) vision is to strive for “a society with disability inclusive environment that upholds the rights of children/ persons with special needs” CDR (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Disability-and-Rehabilitation/471089286294304) exists to promote disability rehabilitation and protection of children /persons with special needs through research, information sharing, advocacy, capacity building and direct service delivery using Community Based Rehabilitation and Home Based Care approaches. CDR seeks to increase access to opportunities for children/persons with special needs and their families, and strengthen community based monitoring and evaluation to improve service delivery and accountability. CDR supports over 2000 children annually in Central Uganda using community based rehabilitation, home based care/therapy, parents’ network initiative (parents’ connections, siblings connections and community connections). Join us as we talk with Sarah Nampeera, a 29 years old Ugandan young woman who has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Adult and Community Development, obtained from a Ugandan public university known as Kyambogo University. Hear about a remarkable young woman who has worked with ordinary young people aged 12 -28 years of age in Eastern Uganda. For three and half years Sarah worked in many areas in order to serve children; entrepreneurship, how to create a sustainable livelihood, life skills, development of organizational management skills with Civil Society Organizations which are youth led as well as as sexual reproductive health. She worked for the charity British organization Restless Development (Uganda) first a volunteer for eight months then as an intern for two and half years.Sarah is currently working with Center for Disability and Rehabilitation, Uganda. Sarah decided to work with children and young people with special needs because she had realized that in Uganda such categories of people are left behind in terms of early childhood development, education both formal and non-formal to support their independence during adulthood. At the center, she has initiated a jewelry project for girls with and without special needs so as to have income generating skills. Sarah initiated Uganda sign language sessions for deaf and hard of hearing children and youth so that they may be able to communicate with their parents and siblings. She volunteers to train the genera

The Global Child is a show about leaders who impact positive social change working at the United Nations, government, private,or nonprofit organizations. Our guest today, Trell Thomas does not just talk about the social issues of the day but he is a social change agent who makes a difference with young people. Trell is a social entrepreneur whose passion drives his work for the social issues that directly affect the millennial generation. He is particularly focused on making civic engagement and politics "cool" for young people 18 to 35 years of age. Trell aspires to help them understand and connect the dots between what is happening in their community and the civic engagement process. His most recent project allowed him to do just that. Trell ran a campaign called "Hoodie Vote" that combined both of his passions; fashion and politics. His goal is to help empower young people to make a clear connection between social issues that effect their community and how they could make a difference through the vote. During the 2008 presidential campaign, he worked on the Obama-Biden campaign in their communications department as a Press Assistant and later made a transition to Media Constituency Outreach Coordinator. The youth vote in 2008 came out in historic numbers and while they were discounted as a future force for 2012, and were labeled apathetic. The convention wisdom said they were not going to come out in the same large numbers in 2012. The millennial generation, however, proved that they should not be ignored. They turned out in even higher numbers for Obama in 2012 and were a major reason for his election. Trell believes that his generation is not going away and that their voice does make a difference. Join us for my discussion with Trell Thomas.and learn what issues concern his generation and his work as an advocate and spokesperson for young people and the youth movement. Trell made a choice years ago to make a difference in society through his entrepreneurial passion for creating positive social change and leave the world a better place than he found it. Tell your friends, family, and social media networks to listen to best practices and lessons learned that Trell Thomas a 27 year old youth activist from a small town in Cassatt, South Carolina now serving as a Board of Director for To Love Children Educational Foundation International Inc, and its new Director of Communication and Media has to share with all generations. LINKS: Trell Thomas: Link

Why classical Music? What can children and youth learn from playing in an orchestra? How can you teach children playing in an orchestra positive values? In a society that is filled with violence, lack of attention span, and bombarded with multiple text messages and media messages our first show of 2013 promises to be entertaining and provide a positive message for all those who care about children and youth. Join us for my discussion with Maestro Carlo Ponti (http://www.carloponti.com/).and discover why playing in an orchestra our youth can learn leadership skills, focus, and how to work collaboratively as part of a community. Maestro Carlo Ponti guest conducts internationally and has served as associate conductor of the Russian National Orchestra from 2000 to 2010 and was music director of the San Bernardino Symphony from 2001 to 2012. Awards include Italy’s Premio Galileo Award in 2006 for exceptional musical achievement and the Lupa di Roma Prize bestowed upon him and his family in 2011 by the Roman City Council on the heels of an orchestral performance honoring film producer Carlo Ponti Sr’s work. Maestro Ponti’s work has been profiled on NPR, NBC, ABC, CBS Insider, Fox News, and his performances have been featured on American Public Media’s Performance Today and America’s Music Festivals radio programs. Listen as Maestro Ponti shares his thoughts about the teachings of the orchestra and working with young musicians. For footage to some of Maestro Ponti’s performances (http://www.youtube.com/user/carlopontivideos/videos)click on this link. Share on linkedin, facebook, twitter, or please send the link to a classical music lover in an email.