For socially responsible long-distance travel: New NGO platform launched
Many trips lead to countries that are affected by great poverty and social problems. A new NGO platform is now making socially responsible long-distance travel possible: Meetchangemakers.com.
As soon as the pandemic-related entry restrictions are lifted again, people are increasingly drawn to foreign destinations. Many people are now aware that they leave behind a large ecological footprint and accept CO2 compensation. Since many long-distance journeys also lead to countries of the Third World, a social component is added to the ecological component. Meetchangemakers.com has recognized this and proposes a "social compensation" fee to make long-distance travel more socially responsible in this way. More than that, the social compensation would benefit a so-called changemaker and his cause. At the same time, the traveler would have the opportunity to meet the changemaker and get to know his social initiative - hence the name "Meetchangemakers".
Socially responsible long-distance travel - and formative experiences
Meetchangemakers sees itself as an NGO that "does something different" to make a difference in the world. A pilot project has now been launched in South Africa. There, Changemakers include a cancer survivor who became an agricultural pioneer to feed her community, or a graffiti artist who transforms neglected neighborhoods and gets children off the streets through creative art. Other inspiring changemakers include programmers for disadvantaged children, environmentalists, reformed gangsters, and human rights advocates, all with very unusual stories.
The fact that South Africa was chosen for the pilot project is no coincidence. François Rüf and Gisela Piercey from Switzerland are behind Meetchangemakers. Piercey has lived in South Africa herself for the last 16 years and through the project she can give something back to the country that has shaped her life. She comes from the travel industry and has found a way to use tourism to support the Changemakers.
It's time for "social compensation
Social compensation can easily be implemented as part of companies' social investment budgets - to ensure that their travel expenses have a positive social impact. The meetchangemakers.com platform is therefore calling on philanthropists, travelers and the general public to visit their website to learn more about the people their pilot project supports. There are several ways to get involved - from financial contributions to volunteering to raising public awareness.
