In the spirit of change the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has launched its second Annual ExchangesConnect video contest under the theme of Change Your Climate, Change Our World.

ExchangesConnect is an international social network that promotes mutual understanding among youth and adults by highlighting cultures, commonalities and exchange program experiences through user-generated content (UGC) and multimedia tools such as forums, blogs, photos and videos.

Participants can produce a video of a maximum of two minutes describing what you or someone you know is doing to make your community a better place, and in turn doing to contribute toward a healthier, safer, cleaner and more peaceful world for everyone.

The contest is open to people all over the world, from the ages of 14 and older. For those who have already created and submitted a video the contest also provides a resources page that allows you to help promote the contest.

Change Your Climate, Change Our World resources page features widgets or online applications that can be placed on another website of which the content will update automatically. Participants could also use static images called badges or download a postcard or flyer.

The contest opened on November 17, 2009 and will be accepting submissions until January 12, 2010. The grand prize winner will receive an approximately two-week long, all expense paid exchange program.