How did you Become Involved with Better World Info?
I was teaching English at a school in a rural community in Guatemala, and the partner of one of my colleagues contacted me to share this unique and wonderful website with me. Given my passion for knowledge, education, peace, human rights, and environmental issues they knew I would be excited about it.
After contacting Dr Norbert Stute, the founder of Better World Info, we agreed that extra input from a researcher and writer would add a lot of value to the site. At the time, I was also writing children's nonfiction books on important issues, such as gender equality, women's rights, and climate change.
When I joined, the website was primarily a directory of excellent resources. During my five years with Better World, we have transformed it into an education hub packed with comprehensive, easy-to-navigate guides on some of the world's most complex and pressing issues.
The Better World team is incredibly proud of this inspiring resource and powerful tool for people who want to make this place a better world.
Which Issues are Closest to your Heart?
My background as a teacher has taught me that education is a window for opportunity and to the world. Teaching English as a second language equips future adults with the skills they need to travel, experience different cultures, seek work abroad, open their minds and hearts, and connect with others from diverse backgrounds. Education fosters tolerance, understanding, compassion, and the skills necessary to resolve conflict in a peaceful manner.
As a vegetarian for over 20 years, I strongly advocate for animal welfare and the de-intensification of farming practices. The meat and food industry are significant contributors to our changing climate. Overhauling our food systems is crucial in combating hunger, malnutrition, obesity, the production of ultra-processed foods, and the use of plastic packaging.
Volunteering with organisations that ensure the protection and well-being of street dogs in Guatemala also cemented my love for animals and the need to protect them from dire situations and mistreatment.
Finally, the topic of peace. Underfunded and underutilised. We have the tools to handle conflicts without suffering. We also have the tools to tackle the root causes of conflicts before they even begin.
In a world which is overarmed and where stockpiling is used as a deterrent, peace will inevitably fail. It deeply saddens me to see billions siphoned into the hands of weapons manufacturers and war machines only to create further suffering for innocent civilians. This money, of course, would be infinitely better spent on healthcare, education, development, and environmental protection.
What Motivates you to Spread Positivity in an Increasingly Dark World?
As economic crises, weak and corrupt leadership, austerity measures, conflict, and militarisation spread, it is easy for citizens to become disenchanted with the world around them. As this happens, they purposely switch off from the news. This breeds ignorance and complacency.
Better World Info is here to point people towards positive ideas and projects. To help people turn knowledge into action and to remind people that information can be used as a tool for good.
If we want to fight for a better world, we need to unite and convince the disenchanted that there is light in the world and it is possible to make a difference.
What are your Goals for Better World Info?
Our impact can only go so far without the collaboration of like-minded individuals from the peace, human rights, social justice, and environmental world. By working together, we can offer mutual support and ensure that our message of positivity, equality, and tolerance reaches a much wider audience.
By continuing to provide informative and user-friendly guides on complex issues, we aim to counter misinformation and make staying informed on critical global issues not only engaging but also inviting. We encourage citizens to ask questions, verify sources, get involved, and use their voices.
As an educational tool, we are open for collaboration with institutions, universities, research centres, NGOs, independent media, and schools to offer our website as a recommended platform for researchers and learners alike. Spreading the word is key.
How Can Others Get Involved?
As an open platform, Better World Info is always seeking expert input, whether this be sharing important resources, contributing a blog or guide, or providing feedback on how to improve a category. We are a small team, and we cannot cover it all!
Contributing to the site is not only very easy, but it is also incredibly rewarding. We are also a constantly improving and flexible project. The site is designed to be expanded as situations develop, and it is easy to add additional information.
Volunteers and collaborators are very welcome to contact us here.
Author: Rachael Mellor, 25.06.25 licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0