LAUNCHING THE GLOBAL SENTINELS MOVEMENT: MY WHY AND VISION
As I embark on founding the Global Sentinels Movement, friends and family often ask me what I am doing and why. My personal why is pretty simple. I’ve spent my life, studies, and career (so far) advocating in the interests of people and I'm ready to package all my learning into something of my own. Something that I think people will appreciate, buy into, support, and become part of. Something that the world needs and is fit for purpose for our current day. Something that truly and fully aligns with my values and is not directed by the vested interests of donors or senior leadership. Something that inspires, creates hope, and makes positive impact in the world.
MY WHY FOR THE GLOBAL SENTINELS MOVEMENT
I believe that global problems require global solutions, and I am currently dumbfounded by the lack of political and public attention given to the fact that meeting and resolving most of the challenges now facing people and the planet require global cooperation and coordination to solve. With many indicators of social, economic, and health progress now backsliding, it’s clear to me that we as citizens of the world must unite to reclaim civic space and vigorously defend the interests of people and the planet.
If we don't change trajectories now by fighting against the race to the bottom - and to the bottom line of profit - then our future is looking pretty, well, fucked. Sorry for swearing mom, but sometimes the fastest and best way to explain the gravity of an issue, and emotional response to it, is with a curse word. I hope it’s now clear that the brand identity of this movement is meant to be edgy and, clearly, not for institutional hire.
I'm founding the Global Sentinels Movement to address shrinking civic space, a lack of political and public awareness of global issues, an insufficient will for global cooperation, and outdated governance mechanisms that fail to protect the interests of people and the planet.
ABOUT ME
I have long self identified as a global citizen who gives a shit, and my academic and work trajectories show it. I studied and have solely worked in the global health and international development space. I hold a BSc (First Class Honours) in Health Promotion from Dalhousie University; a Graduate Diploma from the United Nations University - Institute for Water, Environment and Health; an MSc in Global Health from McMaster University; and a PhD in International Development Studies from SOAS, University of London. I've had the pleasure of bringing value to global health and international development organizations like WaterAid, Results Canada, TB Alliance, the Global Fund Advocates Network, Stop TB Partnership, UN Water, MinXray, and others! If you want to know more about me you can check out my LinkedIn, Instagram, and Bluesky.
MY VISION FOR GLOBAL SENTINELS MOVEMENT
The Global Sentinels Movement will provide a platform to connect, coordinate, equip, and mobilize global citizens who give a shit to take meaningful action both personally and politically in the interest of people and the planet. We'll do this by running targeted advocacy campaigns focused on global issues to move governments, corporations, institutions, and citizens towards sustainable global solutions for a healthier world for all.
Our campaigns will be global yet localized within nations by country ambassadors. The plan is that Global Sentinels (aka global citizens who give a shit and who join and participate in the movement) around the world rally behind three campaigns at all times across the themes of Healthy People, Healthy Planet, and Healthy Society. Global Sentinels will go as deep with their learning and advocacy action as they want to. They won't just be asked to sign onto letters or “click to tweet", but they will be empowered to engage deeply in campaign content, without having to quit their day jobs. Global Sentinels Movement issue experts and country ambassadors will be their chief of staff, giving them the intel, information, and strategic tactics they need to be effective action taking global citizens who give a shit.
Our campaigns will be focused on securing policy or practice change for impact, or on mobilizing investments for people and the planet. We won't lean hard into advocacy efforts that other organizations are already investing significant resources into. While we will light touch support aligned campaigns being run by allies, we will prioritize running complementary campaigns that fill gaps, and we will find and chase innovative solutions that are not currently being invested in by other advocacy organizations or donors with specific asks of their lobbyists for hire.
Unlike many not-for-profits and advocacy organizations, the Global Sentinels Movement won't take money from institutions like governments, corporations, or foundations that comes with strings attached. Eventually, we envision providing enough value to Global Sentinels that they become our core donor. Till then, as Founder I’ll invest what I can and will look to secure seed funding from high-net worth individuals who share our vision and values.
To make the movement financially self-sufficient by approximately year eight of operating, Global Sentinels will always have a number of different ways that they can support our work within models of fair exchanges of value. So for example, one could purchase some swag, subscribe to our Patreon, or hire us to deliver a keynote speech, training, or campaign strategy. If one does happen to hire us to build a campaign strategy, do note that we will not run the campaign for you, as that would go against our model of NOT BEING lobbyists for hire.
Global Sentinels alone will guide the direction of the movement. When one campaign comes to a close, they will vote on what campaign we do next; and they will elevate into roles such as group leaders, virtual space moderators, and country ambassadors. In this way, the Global Sentinels Movement is and will always remain a people owned and led movement. My promise to myself and all of you is that sentinels will never be the puppets of a big donor or vested interest.
ARE YOU A GLOBAL CITIZEN WHO GIVES A SHIT?
JOIN THE MOVEMENT!
ARE YOU A GLOBAL CITIZEN WHO GIVES A SHIT? JOIN THE MOVEMENT!
MY VISION FOR GLOBAL SENTINELS
Global Sentinels will feel part of something bigger than themselves, while also free to express who they are and what they think is required to realize a healthier world for all.
Leveraging digital tools, engaging content, a trendy brand, and a democratized and grassroots approach, Global Sentinels will engage meaningfully with one another in virtual and real-world spaces. They will be supported and requested to learn about the issues related to the campaigns we run, as well as equipped and mobilized to take effective advocacy action in support of each campaign.
Global Sentinels will be encouraged to act on both personal and political levels. By pushing out knowledge and actions targeting Global Sentinels themselves as agents of change, we're recognizing that how they operate in the world on a day-to-day basis matters and can make a difference, while also fostering a sense of individual responsibility and control. By pushing out knowledge and actions targeting system level power holders like governments, corporations, institutions, etc., we're defending democracy, holding entities and people accountable, and demanding our rights be respected, all while strengthening Sentinels understandings and skills of civic duty and collective action.
I have seen from past work experiences how everyday citizens engaged in the work of advocacy or implementing organizations tend to be given basic information, shallow actions, or treated like they are in grade five. While that approach might make some sense in terms of broad base public engagement, I don't think it respects the intelligence and agency of people, nor does it do our cause of creating a population with awareness and empathy for people outside of their own geographical realities any good. This is in part why I am building the Global Sentinels Movement in a way that will prioritize engaging participating global citizens who give a shit deeply. Global Sentinels will not be seen as volunteers who need spoon feeding, or who are an after thought to the “core work” of paid staff. Rather they will be treated as global citizens who give a shit, and we will give 100% of our time and energy to supporting them to be badass, knowledgeable and effective advocates for people and the planet.
We plan to have some fun and build a community (or a movement really) while doing it. I hope you will consider joining us now! Subscribe to our newsletter in the footer of this webpage or follow us on Instagram, BlueSky, or LinkedIn to stay up to date with our work. Psst - we are planning on launching our first MVP / go to market campaign soon and we will need your support to secure a win for people and the planet!
