Someone asked how will Project FORWARD, a documentary, help in any way. An absolutely valid question.
The answer I gave is a bit complex and I decided to paste it here as well:
True, a documentary can only open our eyes if we choose to learn from it. In some fortunate and brilliant cases a documentary opens our eyes AND changes us. And in very few, but powerful instances, it can change policy and even cultural aspects of human life.
Yes, this can take time. Rarely is the impact nearly immediate, but it does happen.
So how is my project going to change anything?
Here is my plan. And it is not a long term plan, but also not a short term plan. Time is not of the essence in this case; involvement is, participation is.
The concept of bringing one voice from each country in the world aims to be a beacon, clearly signaling to younger generations the possibility of connections beyond borders.
Second, such a global display of hope and vision will trigger conversations. Some will be educational conversations in schools, some will be generational conversations inside families. All if this means thinking from an angle most of us are oblivious to because we are all engulfed in our own reality and struggles.
Another aspect of being a beacon is to REMIND people that thinking about the future is planning for the future. It's not just daydreaming about utopia.
If we discuss how healthcare should or could be delivered to all the people equally, we inevitably must acknowledge the current systems. This creates a cognitive contrast which in turn changes our perception of the reality of such systems.
So far, the project accomplishes a mere intellectual activity centered around civic participation. Not a small task, but also not an immediate solution to current problems.
We must also remember that processes that took decades to create cannot be solved instantly.
Next, out of the intended awareness generated by the project (with an approximate timeframe of 1 year), the plan is a system of communication and cooperation delivered via two mediums - an independent collaborative media platform and a social networking process unlike any other attempted at such large scale.
For the youth involved, the effects will be immediate. For the global situation it will have minimal impact, if any - in the short term.
On the longer term (10+ years) the project can and intends to be the catalyst for multiple peer-driven social programs, entirely bypassing government policies.
The project has three massive obstacles: visibility, willingness to contribute in some capacity, and the current self-destructive path humanity seems to accelerate on.
So, from my perspective, the documentary series is the tip of an iceberg, and I'd rather do something than pretend the issues do not exist. I wish to offer hope, but more than that I wish to create springboards and mechanisms for change.
At this stage I'm in what's called "development". This requires research, acquiring at least partial funding, and awareness campaigns. The best way to help the project is a combination of at least $5/mo + around 10-15 minutes/day of micro-activism which could include brainstorm participation and/or helping with sharing the project via any means available to you, and a few other ways to bring personal skills into it when possible.
I am stubbornly pursuing peer funding instead of any corporate sponsorship. In order for the final stage of the project to remain fully independent, it must be financed by regular people invested in helping to bring about change.
I am also a huge believer in taking money out of politics and taking politics out of journalism.
To start, here is the contribution page, then we can explore the many ways everyone can be involved without adding strain or stress to their life.
Contributors will be invited to a private group and will also receive updates about each step taken during this journey.
Contribute today, join the brainstorm 💡
https://www.project-forward.org/donate
Share this post