Global Citizenship: Social Responsibility
“Learn to do common things uncommonly well; we must always keep in mind that anything that helps full the dinner pail is valuable.” ― George Washington Carver
What does it mean to be a responsible traveler? It means much more than just traveling light, recycling plastic bottles or even reusing your hotel bath towels. Those things are great first steps but being a responsible traveler is a “heart action”.A socially responsible traveler has a heart for people. He/she ensures that negative social, economic and environmental impacts are minimized and that positive footprints that enhance economic benefits for local people and host communities are the only thing left behind. Bottom line, a social responsible traveler is a global citizen and ambassador for humanity.

Author Janet Cheatham Bell on Civil Rights, Empowerment and Travel
Author Janet Cheatham Bell has lived through both the Civil Rights Movement and today’s Black Lives Matter movement. She joins World Footprints to share her thoughts on the progression of racial equality in the United States. Janet is also the mother of W. Kamau Bell, host of CNN’s United Shades … Read more Read more
United States Insights Social Responsibility
Philanthropist and Author David Rubenstein on Leadership and Travel
David M. Rubenstein, author of The American Story, visionary cofounder of The Carlyle Group, and host of Bloomberg TV’s The David Rubenstein Show returns to World Footprints to discuss his newest book: “How to Lead: Wisdom from the World’s Greatest CEOs, Founders, and Game Changers.” Read more
United States Literature & Music Social Responsibility
Exploring the Depths of Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park
By Michael FilLush rainforest and land transformed for millions of years by volcanic activity, all spread across 520 square miles of protected space. Welcome to Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park! Read more
United States Adventure History Social Responsibility
Controlling Your Narrative and Preserving Truth in Race Relations, Empowerment and Travel
Why is it important for people of color to control their own narrative? How does preserving your story support historical truths? Ardre Orie is a publisher, social activist, and ghostwriter who helps Black men and people of color discover the power of their voice. Enjoy a powerful and insightful interview … Read more Read more
United States Insights Social Responsibility
SPECIAL: Remembering 9/11
World Footprints commemorates the anniversary of the terrifying attack that changed the world and brought heroes to the front-line. You will hear from survivors their first-hand account of the events as they experienced them. Read more
United States History Social Responsibility
Indigenous Food Travel: A Culinary Postcard
By Ann-Marie CahillWhile many of my friends have turned to books or television documentaries, I have been exploring the world of culinary travel — but not just for cooking recipes. I found inspiration in the preservation of Indigenous food. And that has me planning my next adventure. Read more
Oceania Food & Drink Indigenous Preservation Social Responsibility
Glacier National Park: A beautiful place with an ugly history
By Ali WundermanIt’s been a tough summer living right next to Glacier National Park. With international borders closed to U.S. travelers, Americans have set their sights on road tripping the national parks, especially in places of low population density, and by extension low COVID-19 cases. Read more
United States History Social Responsibility
Traveling and Reporting in a World with COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter
By Sam WhiteThe world has changed a lot in the last six months—which means we must change how we interact with it. Travel is different now. Journalism is different now. Read more
The World Insights Social Responsibility
Responsible and Cultural Travel in Montana
By Tara TadlockWhitewater rafting in crystal clear waters. Horseback riding through the tall prairie grass. Purple mountains as the backdrop for local craft breweries. Sounds like a dream, but it’s actually Montana. Read more
United States Adventure Off the Beaten Path Social Responsibility
What to do about Racism and Bigotry as Travelers of Conscience and Culture
By Ian FitzpatrickWith everything taking place in the world from the coronavirus pandemic, global recession, and America’s racial reckoning, even a brief escape from these problems can be an elixir for the body, mind, spirit, and soul. Read more
United States Backpacking & Camping Insights Social Responsibility
A look through the lens of a humanitarian photographer
By Jessica BarrettFrom long, uncomfortable trips to challenging accommodations, humanitarian travel isn’t typically glamorous. Massachusetts-based social documentary photographer and Capture Humanity founder Matilde Simas recently traveled to Imvepi Refugee Settlement in Uganda to explore the ways that children are exploited due to war. Read more
Africa The Arts Social Responsibility
How we all must travel differently once the world reopens
By Audrey LimIt’s likely that all of us travellers can agree that we’re currently in a place in which we never thought we’d be. Staying at home when all we want to do is get out and explore the world is not our ideal scenario. COVID-19 has quickly brought the travel and … Read more Read more
The World Insights Social Responsibility
A letter to my favourite country: We need to talk
By Kellie PaxianAs a traveller, South Africa is my favourite country in the world. I’ve been there three times over the past two years as a solo white female traveller, including January to March 2020, and I already can’t wait to go back. I consider Cape Town to be my spirit city, … Read more Read more
Africa Social Responsibility
Viewing Today’s World Through Journalistic Eyes: Can Travel Heal The Divide?
By Ian and Tonya FitzpatrickAs travel journalists who happen to be people of color, we celebrate the cultures of the world. We share and acknowledge our common history—the good and the bad. We showcase the similarities we share and honor our differences. For years we have shared our love and appreciation for places that … Read more Read more
United States Insights Social Responsibility
Global Solidarity for Black Lives Matter
By Sam WhiteThe Black Lives Matter movement is an American-born movement that was founded after the senseless murder of Trayvon Martin resulted in his murderer, George Zimmerman, being acquitted and found not guilty of his heinous crimes in 2013. Gaining even more traction in 2014 during the historic events in Ferguson, Black Lives Matter became a … Read more Read more
The World Insights Social Responsibility