Impact Journalism Day by Sparknews

Stories of change: 55 media outlets unite to celebrate changemakers

Our world is changing - in many ways for the better. Poverty and child mortality rates are declining, increasing numbers of primary- age children attend school and world leaders are taking collective action to counter climate change.

The media is uniquely placed to tell the individual stories behind trends like these.

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (Wan- Ifra) has also identified solutions journalism as a growing pillar for the media. In our challenging times, the public is eager to read news about hope and positive impact.

So are we, at Sparknews.

That's why we invited the world's leading media to do something different: report on initiatives that are improving lives.

When they first answered our call four years ago, inspired by our track record in the field of solutions journalism, Impact Journalism Day was born.

This year, 55 international print and digital media partners have come together to share stories of innovation and success.

You and 120 million other readers around the world will find that today's news covers the same places and issues as usual, but in a different light.

Meet those who have successfully brought answers in the fields of health, water, energy, finance, education, employment and more.

Allow these stories to change your perspective on what citizens can accomplish. Be inspired.

Together, our 55 media partners believe they can be part of the change they want to see in the world.

If you feel the same way, join the conversation. We want your feedback. That's why we've developed new widgets, including one that many newspapers will incorporate at the bottom of articles in their Web sections.

Tell us if similar problems affect you, and if you want to see these solutions implemented in your country. Follow the changemakers featured in the articles.

Write to us and to your newspapers and share your experiences. To keep up with all the activity that is taking place during Impact Journalism Day, follow our hashtags and accounts on Facebook and Twitter (#ImpactJournalism, #StoryOfChange, @Sparknews) or e-mail contact@sparknews.com

To discover more inspiring stories, follow the AXA People Protectors Facebook page, where AXA, as a founding partner of Impact Journalism Day since 2012, spreads innovative solutions to better protect people and the planet.

If you know entrepreneurs, companies or projects that deserve to be featured in Impact Journalism Day next year, offer your suggestions at tellsparknews.com

Anyone can become part of the story.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 25, 2016, with the headline Stories of change: 55 media outlets unite to celebrate changemakers. Subscribe