CHANGE Initiative

The CHANGE Initiative is a highly competitive national program that trains college students to become actively engaged in Oxfam America's social justice mission. CHANGE develops capable leaders who are informed voices for positive social change, and who inspire greater global awareness in others.

CHANGE Leaders are brought together for an intensive week of leadership training that equips them to be effective advocates. Students are introduced to social justice issues directly related to Oxfam America's mission, and are asked to work on one or more of these issues on their campus during the academic year. Oxfam assumes the cost of training, room and board, and travel.

CHANGE Leaders are assisted throughout the year by their CHANGE campus adviser and Oxfam America Outreach staff.

The CHANGE Initiative complements Oxfam's work, challenging injustice through political action and organizing for change. We invite you to join one or more of the following focus areas to contribute to our global justice mission:

Oil, gas, and mining

Many of the world's basic needs currently cannot be met without the oil, gas and mining industries. Yet too often, the people who share their communities with oil, gas, and mining projects suffer as a result.

Oxfam America's oil, gas, and mining work addresses this conflict by promoting the role of communities in determining whether and how natural resource development happens. Oxfam's Right to Know, Right to Decide campaign will help communities play a decisive role in their futures with the information and agency necessary to exercise self-determination.

Oxfam activists involved in Right to Know, Right to Decide will call on oil, gas, and mining companies to publish what they pay to the countries where they operate so that poor people in those countries can hold their governments accountable. Right to Know, Right to Decide activists will also put a spotlight on oil, gas and mining projects around the world where the voice of local communities is being ignored.

Climate change

From floods in Bangladesh to droughts in Kenya, glacier melts in Peru to hurricanes in the Caribbean, poor countries are already suffering from the effects of climate change. Oxfam America is undertaking a campaign to address the disproportionate impacts of global warming by creating equitable solutions to the crisis. We are asking that the US cut greenhouse gas emissions and provide financial assistance so that the most vulnerable communities can adapt.

Oxfam America is campaigning to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and increase funding so that poor people can survive the effects of global warming. Our campaign will engage with the public, government, private sector, and international community.

Hunger and poverty

Hunger is one of the most visible symptoms of social and economic injustice in the world. It continues to plague more than 850 million people, including over 37 million in the US. Every day, 30,000 children die of hunger and preventable diseases. And yet the world produces enough food and wealth to free everyone from hunger and extreme poverty. If we share our resources and the control over those resources more fairly, millions of poor people could enjoy new opportunities to enhance what they can do and who they become. We believe that everyone has the right to a dignified livelihood and that it is possible to sustain such livelihoods on our limited global natural resources.

Oxfam CHANGE Leaders work to address the inequities of hunger and poverty through our Fast for a World Harvest campaign organizing Oxfam America Hunger Banquet^® events, Dining Hall Fasts, benefit concerts, and more. CHANGE Leaders also use hunger- and poverty-related events to connect others to their campaigns on climate change and extractive industries.

The 2009-10 application period has ended. Please sign up to receive notification when the 2010-11 application process begins.

 If you are a CHANGE member or Alumni then please signup for the CHANGE 10th Anniversary celebration.

Contact us

If you have any questions about CHANGE or the application process, please contact us.

• Phone: 1 (800) 77-OXFAM ext. 2464
• Email: change@oxfamamerica.org

10 years of CHANGE!

CHANGE is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

In honor of this milestone, Oxfam is hosting a celebration for CHANGE Leaders on Friday night October 2, followed by an alumni conference on Saturday, October 3.

Register to attend

Sign up to attend this milestone event.

Frequently asked questions

What is the CHANGE 10th Anniversary Celebration?
CHANGE is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its initiative to train and educate college students on the global and development issues that direct Oxfam’s work and give them the tools to effect change in their local communities and college campuses nationwide. In honor of this milestone, CHANGE is hosting a celebration Friday night and an alumni conference Saturday for CHANGE Leader alumni and special guests of Oxfam America.

Where will the weekend events take place?
The Friday night reception is located at the Oxfam America Boston office at 226 Causeway Street next to North Station. The Saturday conference is located at the Lavine Civic Forum at City Year, located at 287 Columbus Avenue in Boston. Both locations are close to Boston subway stops.

When do the Friday night and Saturday events start and end?
The Friday celebration is from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm The Saturday workshop is from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.

How will I get around in Boston?
The Boston subway (known as the T) is accessible throughout the city and is color-coded into the silver, orange, green, red, and blue lines. For more T information, see www.mbta.com.

How much are subway passes?
"Charlie tickets" are $2 per ride.

Do I have to pay for travel and hotel accommodations?
Yes. Unfortunately, Oxfam America cannot cover the costs of travel arrangements. However, if you would like to attend the event but the cost would represent a financial hardship, CHANGE is able to offer a limited number of travel scholarships. To learn more about this scholarship and apply, please contact changealumni@oxfamamerica.org.

When should I make my travel arrangements by?

Please make your travel arrangements as soon as possible!

Flying: Check out these travel sites for low airfares: www.travelocity.com, www.hotwire.com, or www.kayak.com.

Driving: There may be other CHANGE Leaders in your area who are driving to Boston and are willing to carpool. Check back with us once the registration page is up for more info on carpools.

Bus/Train: Boston's bus/train station is called South Station, and there are many buses and trains that come into Boston every hour, especially from New York, Washington, DC, and other major cities. Go to South Station's site, www.south-station.net, for more information.

When should I RSVP?
Whether or not you are planning to attend, please let us know as soon as possible, no later than September 15th.

How do I register?
Register for the CHANGE 10th Anniversary Celebration online.

Is there a registration fee for the event?
No. The event is free to attend.

What is the dress code for the Friday night event and Saturday workshop?
Business casual is the appropriate attire for Friday. Casual is the dress code for Saturday.

Can I bring a guest?
Due to budget constraints, we are unable to accommodate guests at the Friday and Saturday program.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Jill Sarber, event coordinator, at (617) 728-2446 or email her at changealumni@oxfamamerica.org.