On this page you can find more about:
What Globals is
The people behind Globals
     The Management Team
     The Global Ambassadors
The vision of Globals
How you can support Globals

What is Globals?

Globals believes it's possible to create a global society of informed people; people who look beyond their own borders and care what's going on in the world. To stimulate that global society, this website  brings people from all over the world together and offers easy background information on conflicts.

By talking with other people from all over the world and sharing your opinions with them, everyone will get to know more about each others cultures, habits, interests, religion, beliefs... And once you know more, you'll start to understand more. Globals Foundation believes that understanding is the first step to tolerance and a more peaceful world.

That's also why the easy articles in our database explain the basics of conflicts that are going on right now. Awareness of these conflicts will not make them stop immediately, but being aware of what's going on is important. To understand why people flee from their home countries, why your government is sending troops to a foreign conflict, why the United Nations passes resolutions, and why terrorist attacks happen.

So sign the Globals Contract and show you're a global citizen that cares about what's going in the rest of the world and get started by contributing your opinion and reading others opinion!

Just surf around this website and enjoy the Globals Experience!

People behind Globals

Globals Foundation is an initiative of Steffy Roos du Maine. With help from several other students, she developed this foundation. Below you can discover the people behind Globals. We all believe that understanding and contact are the mechanisms that lead to understanding. And a world with more understanding, is a more peaceful world. That is why we believe in the concept in Globals. Because with optimism, chatting with each other, and being more aware of things going on in this world, we can make a change. It doesn’t matter how small that change is, it’s a positive change!

The Management Team

Steffy Roos du Maine
Founder, Coordinator of the Management Team
I’m Steffy, born on the 30th of October in 1986 and living in Amsterdam.  I'm doing my masters in International Relations at the Graduate School of Social Sciences. Furthermore I studies at the University of Groningen and the Sorbonne. While living in Paris and meeting so many different people from all over the world, I noticed that talking with these people changed my view of the countries they came from. I became more open minded, understanding more about different cultures, religions and national habits. I also noticed that my friends who did not study IR, knew hardly anything about the current conflicts in the world. When asked whether they were interested in it, they told me they found it hard to understand what was happening by only following the news now and then, but did not know how they could find simple information about it. In search of a way to make these people more aware of the conflicts going on in this world, to provide them with clear information, and to make young people all over the world connected so they can talk and develop a more tolerant state of mind, the idea of Globals Foundation emerged. When I’m not busy for Globals or my study, I work as 925.nl's partygirl, I’d like to make music with Ableton Live, debate, travel, read, sit in the park, dance with friends, go to a concert or festival, shop or make a pick nick.

Jason Gershowitz
Business Manager
Hi! I'm Jason, born 5th of August 1987 and living in Washington, DC. I graduated from the University of Rochester with a bachelor of arts in political science while also focussing studies in the areas of green engineering, entrepreneurship and legal studies. Throughout my experiences debating nearly any topic you can imagine in the U.S. and internationally, I have come to have a unique understanding about conflict and tolerance. I think that when individuals and groups can "own" an idea it becomes unboundedly poweful.

It is my job to work with Globals providing strategic guidance to assure that YOU can share and learn about the realities of OUR world, so that we can understand them, own them and work towards positive change together.

Floor van den Heuvel
Conflict Database Manager
I was born on the 4th of April 1989 and am currently studying International Relations in Groningen. Due to my fathers work, I've lived in Norway and Nigeria as a child, and I think that has stimulated my interest in international affairs. After high school, I've spent six months abroad, travelling and working. I'm involved with Globals because I am convinced that the knowledge of each others habits and cultures is the basis for mutual respect. In a world that becomes smaller and smaller, the internet is the most ideal place for the youth to meet and keep up with international contacts.

In my function as Conflict Database Manager, I am responsible for writing and updating the Globals Conflict Database and for searching writers to help me do so. Are you interested in writing for Globals? Just send an email and motivation to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Marijke Speelberg
Network Manager
Hi! I'm Marijke and was born on May 15th, 1989. Dissapointed with the rain and cold as a toddler, I soon left the low lands in search of warmer weathers. Currently I'm studying liberal arts and sciences at the university college in Utrecht. Majoring in social sciences, I focus on global development studies, economics and international relations. In addition, I hold a minor in rhetoric.
My interest for global affairs has been further stimulated through life experiences and participation in Model United Nation conferences and debates. I beleive that knowledge is the most powerful tool one can possess to change the world. And what better way to spread knowledge than Globals?

As the Network Manager, I look to expand the current network, establish a global database, and arrange for partnerships so as to keep you connected. Do you have a great idea or ways in which you could help? Scribble it on our Facebook wall or send me an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ! Looking forward to hearing from you.

Sjoerdje Smedinga
Website Manager
Hi, I am Sjoerdje. I was born on the 20th of May in 1989 and I am currently studying International and European Law in Groningen, the Netherlands. Since I've started my studies, I've been active in debating and that raised my interest in international conflicts and issues. By travelling I met lots of people from different cultures and noticed that they could change my view on things that I was very certain about at first. That's why, when I heard of Globals Foundation, I thought of this as a opportunity for young people around the world, to have this great experience too. It is very difficult to understand two sides of a story if you only know one and I think that Globals Foundation could offer the second side of the story, and by that, a more objective view of the situation, to other people. Next to my studies and Globals, I love to travel, debate, hang out with friends, play the guitar, listen to music and go to concerts.

As I am websitemanager at the moment, I am responsible for the website, the forum, moderators and Ambassadors of Globals. If you have any questions concerning one of those topics, or if you would like to apply as a moderator or a Global Ambassador, please contact me on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ambassadors of Globals

Globals Ambassadors represent Globals Foundation in their home country. This means that they are responsible for the promotion of Globals Foundation in their home countries. Besides that, they will be happy to answer any questions that you might have regarding their country or culture on the Globals Forum. Below, you can find all the current ambassadors. Would you like to be a Globals Ambassador as well? Please contact the websitemanager on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Ambassador of India

Name: Apoorv Shah
Age: 19 years
Study: Pursuing Undergraduate L.L.B. at Gujarat National Law Universit, Gujarat, India
Globals Ambassador because: I have always liked the idea of meeting new people and sharing my view with them on different topics. I believe it is a good way of learning and also to meet interesting people. Globals is a very good platform for it. It has a lot of variety even in such a small group. Its hard to imagine what will happen once the group grows. I am excited about it. Come join. :)

 

 

Ambassador of Indonesia
Name: Muhammad Assad
Date of birth: 16 January 1987
Study: Masters Degree in University at Qatar, in Doha, Qatar
Globals Ambassador because: I simply want to make my country and the world better with the capacity I have. I would also love to meet and know new people, share and exchange knowledge that would be benefiting for each other, build peace among nations and give the utmost contribution I can.

Ambassador of Ireland
Name: Cathy Dunne
Date of birth: 3 March 1990
Study: BA International with French and Music
Globals Ambassador because:
- I want to make problems internationally known and acknoweledged.
- I want to work as one and not against each other or in competition.
I have been luck y to have the opporunity to travel and meet young people from all over the world. Currently I am in France on my ERASMUS year, the international students here have really opened my eyes to prevailing problems in their own countries. It makes me realise that no matter how far a country is away from mine, there are young people who, despite coming from a different culture, still share the same thoughts and hopes as myself.
By meeting these young people it showed me not to be so closed minded and to look at the problems from new and diverse angles. I think Globals Foundation is a great way to share our thoughts and opinions whilst listening to others. Communication is something we all have and we should use it to understand the world better.
From a young age I was aware of conflicts within countries and between countries. My grand uncle served with the UN Peace Keeping Mission in the Belgium Congo around the early 1960's, and he still informs me about the importance of finding some kind of world peace.
This summer I stayed in a small village called Humjibre in Ghana, on a charity based project. Although, I had the stereotypical idea that I would be an outsider or an alien to them, I was instantly greeted and fitted in just like a family in my own country. Despite not being able to speak their language, we were still able to interact and I noticed the young people were just like me. While visiting the local school, students spoke of what they wanted to become after school; doctors, engineers, teachers! All the same as at home. It broke my heart that some of these children would never get the opportunity due to a lack of money and poverty in their country.
I have a desire to make people aware of conflicts, to make people realise that we are all the same from our own upbringings and directly from our own experiences.

Ambassador of Italia  

Vision of Globals

Globals is not just a foundation who says it wants to establish world peace and designs a website. There is a vision behind the foundation, which you can read all about here.

The problem we want to address
Conflicts around the world are obviously a problem. Millions of people are being killed, displaced, kidnapped, hurt and wounded, as a cause of the conflicts going on in this world. Globals Foundation will be created to change the vision on conflicts of young people worldwide. A lot of young people do not know why, where and with whom, the majority of the present conflicts is being fought. This lack of consciousness often exists because they just do not know where to find proper information about these conflicts. They hear a few things about a conflict on the television, but do not understand it because they are missing the basic knowledge about these international conflicts. They are not aware of the seriousness of all wrongs that are being done in this world, because of this missing information.  To achieve a change in the mentality of young people -who will be working in a more and more globalizing world, who will become possible agents of change in the future and who will interact with people of different cultures on a daily basis - they have to know what is going on, so they will respect these other peoples. Therefore, their social intercourse will improve. This change will also generate more understanding and sympathy for refugees, because they will understand the conflict situations these refugees come from.
Another issue this lack of information is causing, is the bias people have when they only know one side of the story. Media is often subjective and biased towards a particular actor in the conflict. Due to this bias, a lack of respect develops for one side in the conflict. A lack of respect is also created, when someone does not know much about a certain culture, religion or nation. This ignorance is most of the time not malicious, but a result of insufficient knowledge about how to access the right information. Globals is of opinion that this lack of respect and knowledge about international conflicts is a problem which can be solved by providing the right information that is lacking now, in a simple and clarifying way.

The change Globals likes to create
The change we’d like to create is threefold:
1. Making young people more aware and informed of all the conflicts that are being fought currently
2. Making young people more understanding and change their mentality of conflicts
3. Making young people global citizens with respect for other peoples, cultures, nations and religions
To achieve these three changes, several mechanisms are incorporated in the idea of Globals.
First of all, the overview of all present conflicts in the world gives visitors an easy opportunity to read about a conflict he is interested in. These stories about conflicts are short, objective and written in simple langue. This way, it will be very easy for young people to access the proper and neutral information about a certain conflict. Because it is so easy, more young people will read about conflicts and will be better informed.
In addition to this overview, the site provides access to the Global Community. This is a forum which enables visitors from all over the world to discuss informal, as well as serious matters, just according to their interests. This will bring young people from different backgrounds and cultures together. They will be able to talk about their common interests and find out they have more resemblances they’d probably expected. By talking to each other, mutual respect and understanding will be increased.
Last but not least, visitors of www.globalsfoundation.org are asked to sign a Globals Contract which makes the signatory a Global. This way, the Global declares he or she will respect all peoples regardless of their race, nationality, religion and sex. By signing this contract, the visitor will be made aware of his position as a citizen of the world and the amount of respect and understanding they should have for all citizens in this world, not just for their own friends, family and neighbours.
With these mechanisms and the intensive worldwide campaign we’ve launched, Globals believes it can achieve the three changes mentioned.
Considering the success other websites that are created for young people to communicate with each other, we are of the opinion Globals is the right media channel to address young people. They are always online and communicating with each other. Globals would like to have the same impact in the area of communication, but differs from the sites that already existing, because it is intended to bring people together who do not know each other, and whom are curious to share experiences with people from all over the world. Globals differs from normal forums, because these are usually limited to one subject or a particular country or region. The Globals Community will be worldwide and on a whole range of subjects.
So in short, our theory of change is that communication will enlarge understanding, and understanding will cause mutual respect. Next to communication, learning about conflicts through the overview on the site, will cause the visitors to be more informed, which will create more understanding and therefore more respect.

The impact we’d like to have
Globals is a foundation in the area of conflicts. However, our main objective is not make combatants to toss away there weapons. The impact Globals wishes to achieve, is mutual respect between young people worldwide and increasing their awareness and understanding of conflicts. We’re of the opinion that these things are essential to achieve a peaceful world. These young people will grow up and live in a global society, which they influence by voting, working, their opinion, travelling, and so on. That is why it is so important to develop awareness and peaceful minds at a young age.
Globals wishes to increase the awareness of conflicts of a very large number of young people globally, through informing them in an easy way by giving an overview of short and simple articles about all conflicts on the website. By giving young people the opportunity to read easy stories about conflicts, Globals believes more and more young people will read these articles and will become more understanding about these conflicts and the people that are involved in it. 
Globals also wishes to enlarge respect and understanding of young people for other peoples, cultures, national habits and religions around the world. That is why we will ask visitors of the site to sign Global-contract, to make them aware of being a citizen of the world. And that is way why the Global Community hopes to bring different people from all over the world together to share their thoughts, opinions and stories.

Why Globals is unique
Globals Foundation is unique because it is created by young people, for young people, and in an area where knowledge of the subject lacks among young people. There is no similar overview of conflicts like Globals Foundation provides on her website, an unbiased and clear source of information which will give visitors a short but complete overview of each conflict. We are of the opinion that young people need a source of information that is adjusted to their lifestyle, that’s what Globals hopes to be.
Not only the idea of the overview is unique, the Global Community will be unique in its way as well. People from all countries in the world, joined together on one website. Talking about subjects they like to talk about, sharing experiences, getting to know each others cultures, national habits and religious routines. This talking and learning about each other will make them more open minded for different cultures, religions and nationalities, which will have a positive effect on a more and more globalizing world.

Support Globals

You like the idea of Globals and want to support us? You’re more then welcome! Read here about all the possibilities of helping us.

Become a sponsor
You’re searching for a way to promote your company, business, band or website? Worldwide? This is your chance. Globals is looking for sponsors, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we’ll provide you with the options available for advertisement and sponsorship.

Become an ambassador
To reach an ever more worldwide public, we need you! Write us an This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your motivation and become the Globals Ambassador for your country. Global Ambassadors are representing their country on the Globals site and responsible for the promotion in their country.

Become a moderator
Unfortunately not all people surf to this website with good intentions. That’s why we need moderators to keep an eye on the forum. Do you want to be in control of one sub forum? This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !

Donate money
Trying to reach a worldwide public and making a website are expensive activities. That’s why we’d never mind you donating us some money. However small or big your amount may be, transfer it to our account ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and we’ll be thankful to you forever.

Spread the word
Like Globals yourself? Don’t be selfish and tell other people! Invite your friends to sign the Globals Contract, tell them about Globals, or post a link on your Website/Blog/MySpace/Facebook/Twitter/Msn.

Become an active Global
Visiting this website daily, talking in the forum, posting recipes, reading the articles in the database… In short, by becoming an intense user of this site you’ll be helping us a lot!