International Work

Giraffe Heroes International

GHI brings inspiration and tools for change

to some of the most challenging

places on earth

GHI takes the vision, strategies and materials developed by the Giraffe Heroes Project over the last 30 years to countries where that inspiration and know-how can make a critical difference, helping people solve the problems that challenge their nations and their lives.

Launched in 2010, GHI is directed by John Graham, a veteran leader of the Project, former US diplomat, author of four books on leadership and citizen activism, and an internationally recognized trainer and speaker.

Working with partners in nations around the world ~

• GHI gives those partners a tested template for finding their country’s heroes and getting their stories known, inspiring other citizens to help take on public problems. Those heroes might be combating corruption, easing poverty or disease, ending conflicts, protecting the environment, advocating for women’s rights… All of them are “sticking their necks out” for the common good.

• In on-site visits, John Graham helps our partners gain the cooperation and support they need from local media, government agencies, businesses, NGOs and key individuals. He also works with partners as needed to improve their skills for building ethical and competent leadership and active citizenship in their nations.

• On-site, Graham gives public speeches, workshops and media interviews, all introducing the Giraffe idea, and the inspiration and skills it can bring to the nation.

• GHI offers its full array of books, articles, graphics, website designs and trainings developed by the Giraffe Heroes Project, all of which can be adjusted to fit national traditions and languages.

• GHI works with local partners to build programs for schools and youth organizations, helping young people move into lives of courageous and compassionate service. GHI can supply English-language civic engagement and service-learning materials that also double as texts for teaching English.

GHI programs currently include:

Giraffes Heroes Nigeria

The success of an exploratory trip to Nigeria by John Graham in 2008 led to the idea, then the plans and the launch of Giraffe Heroes International two years later. In that 2008 trip, Graham spent eleven days speaking, leading workshops and meeting a wide variety of Nigerians committed to the social and political transformation of their country.

Giraffe Heroes Nepal

Nepal is one of the poorest countries in Asia, and a ten-year civil war that ended in 2006 stalled development and left many people there uncertain and afraid. Nepal needs the Giraffe message of hope, courage and service.

Giraffe Heroes Nepal (GHN) was launched in October 2011 during a ten-day visit to the country by GHI Director John Graham, working there with GHN’s leader, Dr. Sushil Koirala, already honored as a Giraffe Hero for his courageous work with Peace for Nepal (PN), an NGO he founded in 2004 to help end the bloody civil war.

Giraffe Heroes Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is a country the size of Iowa on the bulge of West Africa. It’s a potentially rich country, but impoverished by a brutal ten-year civil war that ended in 2002--think child soldiers and Blood Diamonds. The war killed thousands of people, destroyed infrastructure, and left many more people discouraged, apathetic and fearful. Sierra Leone needs a lot of inspiration, hope and guidance.

Giraffe Heroes Egypt

GHI has been in contact with the heroes of Tahrir Square since the beginning of the Egyptian revolution. John Graham met with several of them at the Caux Forum last summer in Switzerland. They were very enthusiastic about using the Giraffe vision and methods to move many more Egyptians to help rebuild the social and political infrastructure of the country after 30 years of one-man rule.

Giraffe Heroes UK

Dealing with Muslim/non-Muslim tensions in Great Britain

In 2010, Giraffe Heroes International and the Karimia Institute launched a joint program to defuse the disaffection and anger of many Muslim youth in the UK and replace it with a growing sense of competence and hope as citizens of their adopted country.

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