ABOUT US
Pitt Global Brigades is a chapter of Global Brigades, Inc., an international non-governmental organization that promotes sustainable development in Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, and Ghana. There are hundreds of GB university chapters in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
HOW IT STARTED
Global Brigades began at the University of Pittsburgh in July 2011 with the founding of the Global Medical Brigades chapter and the first medical brigade in May 2012 to Honduras. On this trip, medical brigaders learned that many of the health problems they were seeing in the clinic could be attributed to environmental and sanitation issues that could have been prevented through structural interventions. The following academic year, realizing that sustainable improvements in health extend far beyond temporary medical treatment, they founded the Water and Public Health Brigades, offering students the opportunity to expand their understanding of the way multiple aspects of a community are all important and necessary areas to address in development initiatives. Since then, the Pitt chapter of Global Brigades has grown to seven brigades, tackling problems in economy, environment, health care, human rights, and water and public health infrastructure.
OUR MISSION & VALUES
Global Brigades, Inc aims to promote student involvement and education in the field of sustainable international development. Through serving communities with Global Brigades, students gain a deeper understanding of the holistic model, a model of development that emphasizes the value of addressing all aspects of a society in order to achieve long-term improvements. Students become familiar with the ways in which structural problems and factors interact to influence health and economic development, while learning how to empower community members to make long-lasting, self-sufficient changes.
On the Pitt campus, students additionally engage in a number of activities. Students involved in Global Brigades play active roles in Pittsburgh, developing relationships with local underserved communities as well as with fellow organizations who are leaders in the global sphere. During meetings, students seek to enhance their knowledge of concepts relevant to international development, engaging in small-group discussions during "coffeehouses" and challenging themselves to question the ethical basis of foreign aid and service. The goal of Global Brigades at Pitt is to open the minds of students enthusiastic about the global world and to encourage each other to think deeply about the best ways to live and serve more consciously and thus become better citizens of the world.
On the Pitt campus, students additionally engage in a number of activities. Students involved in Global Brigades play active roles in Pittsburgh, developing relationships with local underserved communities as well as with fellow organizations who are leaders in the global sphere. During meetings, students seek to enhance their knowledge of concepts relevant to international development, engaging in small-group discussions during "coffeehouses" and challenging themselves to question the ethical basis of foreign aid and service. The goal of Global Brigades at Pitt is to open the minds of students enthusiastic about the global world and to encourage each other to think deeply about the best ways to live and serve more consciously and thus become better citizens of the world.
ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE
The organization functions as a single club that meets twice a month to learn about topics pertaining to brigades, development, ethics, and service and to prepare for the upcoming brigade trips. The campus executive board is responsible for overseeing and managing the organization, coordinating events and taking care of tasks that are relevant to all seven brigades and the club as a whole. Each brigade is also led by its own board. Brigade boards are responsible for organizing and educating the club members who choose to attend their respective trips. It is important to note that Pitt Global Brigades is ultimately one organization of students, that Global Brigades members are not required to attend a brigade, and that we value a collaborative structure above all.
Finally, the Campus Council of Pitt Global Brigades is comprised of representatives from each chapter’s executive board. The Campus Council meets each semester to vote on club-wide matters that pertain to unity in a holistic manner, reflecting the approach of Global Brigades’ programs in partner communities.
Finally, the Campus Council of Pitt Global Brigades is comprised of representatives from each chapter’s executive board. The Campus Council meets each semester to vote on club-wide matters that pertain to unity in a holistic manner, reflecting the approach of Global Brigades’ programs in partner communities.
2017-2018 CAMPUS EXECUTIVE BOARD
Janice Im
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Nityam Rathi
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David Ibrahim
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