Real people building a better world
A new generation of social leaders is rising up. These are people who dedicate their creativity and passion for a better world. They are able to do this because changing political realities around the world have created new opportunities for citizen involvement. As 'social entrepreneurs', they find new ways to approach problems -- and they won't rest until they've realised their aim. This cover story of Ode is about the people that use their unique talents to create a meaningful existence, for themselves and others
David Bornstein

Africa awakening
In Zimbabwe, Marianne Knuth helps local people draw on the wisdom and talent of each other to solve problems big and small. Marco Visscher

"Any day without a new idea is a day lost"
Ervin Laszlo was a child prodigy at the piano who became a professor without finishing school. The former systems theory pioneer is now concentrating on research into the information field, which should not only shed light on inexplicable connections between man and matter, but may help create a new paradigm that will make the world a better place. "It's my job to supply the proof," he declares. Jurriaan Kamp spoke at length with this groundbreaking scientist who is pursuing his own life questions. Jurriaan Kamp

Cricket in the ghetto
Ted Hayes wondered what would keep young people in one of America's most violent ghettos away from drugs and crime? Cricket of course! Jay Walljasper

Everyone's reading in South Africa
Beulah Thumbadoo believes a simple solution can help her country's complicated problems: reading more books. Tijn Touber

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Laughter really is the best medicine
Patch Adams, a physician and clown, considers humour and friendship part of the cure in any healing process. That's why he wants to build his own hospital. Tijn Touber

Learning to fight for peace
At the School for Peace Young Israelis and Palestinians talk to, quarrel with and scream at each other. They learn more about the people they label their enemies. Not to mention themselves. Tilman Wörtz

Megaphone for the voices of street kids
In India, millions of children live hard lives on the street. Jeroo Billimoria created an emergency hotline so they can get help. Tijn Touber

More than good intentions
Peter Daglish set out not to just help to Nepal's street kids, but to hand them opportunities. Tijn Touber

Poor people's hidden wealth
Poor people often stay poor because laws are stacked against them. For 20 years, Hernando de Soto has been hard at work to change this Bram Posthumus

School for life
Children are curious by nature Hanna and Daniel Greenberg helped create a school with that idea at the heart of its radically new vision of education. Marco Visscher

The disabled are people too
Erzs Tijn Touber

The vaccine express
In Mozambique Blaise Judja-Sato shows it's possible to make vaccines available, even to poor people in remote villages. Marco Visscher

Type in: problem Find: solution
Theresa Williamson collects solutions to the day-to-day problems of poor peolpe all over the world. How does she do it? By looking at what works in other poor communities. Tijn Touber

On the right foot
The newly popular idea of Global Footprintlets us measure the ecological impact of how we live Marco Visscher

In the dark
What we don't know about clinical drug trials can hurt us Ian Chalmers

A love long
How unconditional can love be? Tijn Touber

Bow and arrow
archery offers lessons for daily life Paulo Coelho

Painting is practice
How I get to know myself -- and the world -- thanks to art Adam Wolpert

"Are you obsessed, really obsessed by an idea?"
Bill Drayton was aware at a young age that some people are capable of changing the world. He founded Ashoka, an international organisation that empowers and financially supports social entrepreneurs. Marco Visscher and Tijn Touber

Buy a thermometer and save your life
Low body temperature may be a sign of a weakened immune system. Healing begins with a thermometer. David A. and Sara Koch Jernigan

Dancing your way towards enlightenment
Former Irish playboy opens spiritual discos worldwide Tijn Touber

From Hollywood to Holywood
New spiritual cinema inspires moviegoers to become more aware of their own potential Victorina de Boer

In fact I believe that...
'ducks reduce congestion' Marco Visscher

Land of the second sun
Winters are long and dark in northern Finland, but reindeer herdsmen are happy to live there. "This is where I find freedom," says one. Heidi Bradner photographed the Nenet people. Heidi Bradner

What suburbs need
New inspiration for a comfortable life right outside town Jay Walljasper

Who owns the Internet?
Democratisation of internet promises to become a fierce battle Tijn Touber