~ Island America Project ~

[Jeanway 0]

~ The Expedition ~

 

The Island America Project is a round the world circumnavigation expedition. Its mission is to find a clear cultural reflection of how the "Island Continent" of America and her people are perceived by ordinary citizens across the oceans and around the globe. The United States of America, guarded by two oceans, and bordered by two friendly, steadfast neighbors, finds itself oddly isolated by its wealth, power, politics and global demographics. As a consequence we are often confounded by the cycles of misunderstanding and distrust we encounter around the planet on a myriad of issues. The Island America Project will work to illuminate those apprehensions by listening to and learning from the voices of our global neighbors.

 

The primary task of the Island America Project is to gain perspectives on American culture by objectively assessing those voices from far away shores. Employing "man on the street" interviews, and borrowing from the styles of Charles Kuralt, On The Road, and Steve Hartman, Everybody Has A Story, the Project will reach through the culturally-centric barriers forged by politics, religion, business, marketing and media, to promote mutual understanding by establishing and perpetuating a worldwide conversation.

 

The Project will offer documentary reporting enroute through various medium opportunities. It will culminate in a published book of interviews and images reflecting the voyage, the people and the lessons of the adventure. The Project further aspires to present a video documentary profiling the subjective and philosophical interpretations of the expedition.

 

In response to the events of September 11, 2001 a new dimension has been added to the Island America Project. The Island Earth Network, will be a special effort by the Project to create conversations between young people, students and class rooms from around the world with their contemporaries in the United States. Using the internet we will establish a global network of pen pals dedicated to spreading cultural awareness and mutual respect.

 

On a lighter note, over the course of the expedition the Project will simultaneously gather ingredients for two additional publications. The Island Earth Cook Book will be a collection of "down home" recipes from the ports of call. And Children's Stories of Island Earth will be an anthology of stories, tales and fables from around the globe, with an emphasis on those that teach lessons of morality and good will.

 

The Island America Project is not a race, nor an effort to break any nautical records. It is a port to port, people to people, cultural expedition determined to bring together the voices, perceptions and concerns of ordinary people around the world.

[WEAREBORG4102 0]

ummmm..... so what do we do... he he....

[fenriz275 0]

That sounds like a good idea. Who's carrying out this project?

[Jeanway 0]

There will be a book and a video available when the project is completed. I'm sure there will be some of it on the inter-net too. There has to be.

 

Edited October 15, 2004 by Jeanway