Since the dawn of time, people have relied on stories to interpret the world around them. Stories have the remarkable ability to captivate our hearts and minds, leading us to fall in love with causes and shaping our attitudes. But what if there was something even better than listening to a story? It's the art of learning to tell a story, an experience that can change your life and the lives of others.

Personal Transformations Through Storytelling

Eight years ago, I left the world of PR to explore the stories of lesser known heroes across the Philippines. There, I met inspiring individuals ranging from Benjie, a former street child turned community leader, to Fabien, at the time a French university student who founded a purpose-driven toy business - on a farm! These encounters transformed my worldview, inspiring me to write a book and delve into social enterprise.

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From that point on, MAD has been dedicated to harnessing the power of storytelling to inspire students to create change. However, we recently identified a missing piece in our mission. While our 'interactive adventures' introduced young people to new ideas and role models, we wanted students to become storytellers themselves. Our vision is for students to multiply stories, sharing global issues from diverse perspectives all around the world.

Introducing Docathon: A Storytelling Revolution

To bridge this gap, we created Docathon, a filmmaking competition designed for students. In Docathon, young filmmakers select a pressing global concern related to a chosen theme that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They delve into the topic by collaborating with a local organization or NGO addressing the same issue in their community. Based on this organization's work, students create short educational documentaries. Moreover, to ensure students are well-equipped for this storytelling journey, we provide them with an online course, teaching them how to craft powerful and impactful stories.

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The process doesn't end with filmmaking. Students also organize screening events within their schools, making their stories accessible to a wider audience. Leading entries have the opportunity to participate in Interschool Docathons, held online, showcasing their work in a "Oscar's style" Film Event. The winning films not only receive recognition but also a cash prize, a portion of which is donated to the NGO or social enterprise featured in their film. Additionally, the MAD team in London transforms the winning stories into interactive adventures, ensuring that these tales continue to inspire and educate a global audience.

Empowering Students Through Storytelling

Why is storytelling so beneficial for students? It offers a wealth of advantages:

• Critical Skills: Crafting narratives hones communication skills, vital in academics and careers.
• Creativity: Stories foster creativity, encouraging out-of-the-box thinking.
• Empathy: Students develop empathy by immersing themselves in characters' perspectives.
• Passion for Learning: Storytelling connects abstract concepts to real life, making education engaging.
• Confidence: Sharing stories boosts confidence and communication skills, applicable in various life situations.

A Personal Testimony

Recently, we partnered with Doc-in-a-Day, a London-based filmmaking competition. The theme, "purpose," was drawn from a hat by one of the participants and - drawn in by the enthusiasm of the other eight teams - I unexpectedly found myself creating a documentary myself, 'on the fly.'  It was a thrilling experience, reaching out to people at the last minute, and asking them to share their stories in our documentary. While our movie didn't win any awards, the opportunity itself got me out of my comfort zone, taught me valuable skills, and rekindled my passion for storytelling.

In summary, storytelling is a transformative tool with the potential to inspire change. Docathon's mission is to empower students to become storytellers, connecting them to learning, people, and positive change. Storytelling equips students with the confidence, empathy, and communication skills needed for success in academics and life. Let's continue sharing and creating stories that shape a better world.

If you'd like to participate in the upcoming Docathon and/or organize a film festival in your school, get in touch with our team at suji@madcourses.com. If you would like to sponsor a Docathon, please contact tom@madcourses.com.

In the realm of international education, a crucial element has often been missing from the equation: genuine connection. Social enterprises like MAD have a strong foothold in local communities, enabling them to share their remarkable stories with the world. Then there are the world-class schools with dedicated teachers who possess an in-depth understanding of the curriculum and a profound commitment to equipping their students with essential skills, mindsets, and tools. Finally, there are the students, who, when given the opportunity, continually astound us with their insights and creative problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios.

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However, the unfortunate reality until recently was that these dedicated teachers, passionate students, and remarkable social enterprises like MAD would only cross paths once or twice a year, typically during a field trip, or for a fundraising activity.

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MAD's Mission: Year-Round Collaboration

MAD's mission is to revolutionize this paradigm by facilitating the continuous convergence of these three groups throughout the year. We believe that by fostering this ongoing interaction, we can all learn from each other and collectively shape a brighter future. That's why MAD has forged partnerships with five prestigious international schools for the current academic year. The aim? To engage teachers and students in the co-creation of resources that cater to their actual needs.

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Empowering Educators, Inspiring Students

As part of this collaborative effort, we are providing teachers with high-quality interactive resources to simplify their teaching of best practices related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and systems thinking. Kathryn Berkman from Munich International School, whose students will use the course to develop concepts of identity, culture, and perspective, says, "(Before this opportunity arose) I was teaching systems thinking tools on my own, without guidance or progression.” Now, she is “most excited” for her students to be part of a larger community of changemakers, and have the support of MAD courses as her students develop their projects.

Berenice Reyes from the American School of Puerto Vallarta expresses her enthusiasm, stating, "I am most excited about the possibility of trying a new strategy and having clear resources to create unique and impactful projects that transform our society”, adding that the resources “provide our students with tools and knowledge that will benefit them for a lifetime."

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By involving students in the development phase, we empower them to be active agents of change. Their insights and contributions today will lay the foundation for an even more enriching student learning experience in the future. One student from the American School of Puerto Vallarta commented, after going on an interactive adventure to learn about an indigenous community in the Philippines:

“it was a profoundly moving and important experience that changed the way I think about native communities,” while another added: “I find it amazing that the school added this class as a requirement because it will teach us to be better citizens in our (own, local) community and help those in need.”

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Celebrating the Collaborative Spirit: MAD's Journey Forward

Our mission is to continually learn and enhance the quality of our courses by listening to teachers and students. It's heartwarming to receive positive feedback from educators like Robin Neal from Frankfurt International School, who notes,

"The level of care and empathy evident in the MAD course design is immediately apparent. The interface is sophisticated and surprisingly centered around the human experience, a quality I have not encountered in other online platforms focused on design thinking." He further praises the content as "rich, adaptable, humorous, and beneficial for anyone interested in understanding how design can improve our world."

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We express our gratitude to Robin and all our development partners, along with their students, for their invaluable contributions. With their support, we are just beginning this transformative journey!

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Are you interested in joining us for the ride? We are eager to expand our network of development partners between now and the end of the year. Join us on this unique journey in service learning, as we grow a global community of educators and students who learn together, grow together, and make a positive impact on the world. 

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Contact Suji at suji@madcourses.com to build your Service Program now, and click here to register for our free course.

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