Why the name?
Our name is inspired by a simple principle that many small actions can make a big change. Just like the saying that “many drops make a bucket, many buckets make a pond, many ponds make a lake and many lakes make an ocean” the words on our platform are part of something bigger.
With this principle in mind, we talk about global issues from a local standpoint through our growing community of people working to create a better future.
We provide a platform for local perspectives and informed views, giving a voice to academics, researchers, concerned citizens, human rights activists and experts.
Words in the Bucket believes that raising awareness, informing people, and encouraging discussion about global issues is fundamental for promoting change.
In order to ensure the content we provide is dedicated to giving a voice to neglected issues, we do not seek advertising on our website.
Our Principles
Inclusivity
We invite anyone, of any culture, race, gender and sexual orientation to write for us. We are interested in the connection you have with the topic you want to write about and we want to know why it is something worth spending your time on. We value passion, commitment and dedication.
Connection to the piece
Our contributors are connected to the issues they write about. They are either based in the country or region of focus, work in an organization that is related to the topic they are writing about, are activists or academics. Their expertise and local knowledge is what makes WIB unique.
Transparency
We are transparent about our editing process, we are constantly learning and are keen to listen to any constructive criticism or feedback our readers may have. We also value transparency in our articles and include the bios of authors so that our readers can see how they are connected to the issue they are writing about.
Our approach to editing
We believe that editing should be a constructive process where the contributor and the editor learn from each other. We provide suggestions, we don’t cut through your piece without explaining why, and we provide a one-on-one editing process that begins at the idea phase.
Our contributors are guided from their pitch until publication. We are here to create an informed community and provide a platform which includes writers who may not be used to writing in English.
What we do
We provide a platform for local perspectives and informed views, giving a voice to academics, researchers, concerned citizens, human rights activists and experts.
Our editing team works hard to help our contributors, who don’t necessarily have journalistic experience, to voice their concerns in an accessible and concise manner, to get their message to as many people as possible.
We want to facilitate the connection of people with issues in the world today. Our ultimate goal is to build a community of people who are aware and are inspired to take action towards tackling issues affecting human rights, gender equality and the environment.
Words in the Bucket believes that raising awareness, informing people, and encouraging them to participate in the discussion about these issues is a fundamental basis for promoting change. We provide accessible articles on complex subjects regarding our three main themes.
To know more about our articles and editorial line, as well as how to submit an article visit the Write for Us page.
Meet our team
Marco Principia and Virginia Vigliar, the two founders, are old friends. Both were born and raised in Rome.
Virginia went abroad, graduated in History and Politics of Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London and then, after a short experience in Malawi, she spent two years at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) in Kenya, working for Somalia. After collaborating with NGOs like Results UK, Amnesty International, and Oxfam she is currently based in Barcelona working as an independent consultant in projects in the field of international development and human rights. She is also a freelance journalist and has written for Devex, Al Jazeera, Vice and The Guardian.
Marco graduated in Political Science and International Relations at Università degli Studi “Roma Tre” in Rome. He then worked for three years in the Model United Nations program in New York, Rome, and Brazil. Through this experience, he honed his knowledge of the UN system and fed his interest in international affairs. Currently, he is employed at CIES – ONLUS as a Fundraising Manager.
In 2015, the team was joined by Francesca, who is currently working for the International Fund for Agriculture and Development at the United Nations.
Our six editors are spread around the world. Anne is an anthropologist living in Budapest, Hungary, and she is passionate about editing and working together with our global team. Eleanor has worked as a journalist and editor in India and the UK and in the NGO sector focusing on healthcare in Ukraine and disability and youth development in the UK. Sofie, from Stockholm but currently based in Iceland, is helping us with our social media and outreach activities. Shiva, Iranian-American who grew up in Rome, is the newest addition to our editing team. Akilah, from Trinidad and Tobago, leads and curates our Caribbean Connections column. She has focused her research on the Caribbean region and is involved in local cultural development projects.
Words in the Bucket is also formed by a vibrant and international team of contributors. Have a look at who they are.