What a great idea (link via glassdog) — America Looks Beyond:
At PEW Charitable Trusts, we build futures. And thanks to a partnership with Bill Gates and The Gates Foundation, that future is looking bright. Together, we have pooled our resources to launch a $1 billion dollar a year plan for peace. America Looks Beyond provides tomorrow generation with opportunities today. Starting in 2005, every high school student in America is going to be offered a six-week trip to a third world country. To broaden their horizons. To gain a more intimate understanding of the world. And to fight the global War on Terror in a positive way, through education and first-hand knowledge of how so much of the world struggles to survive.
If America wants to help end the violence of war and terrorism, we need to build bridges to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, many Americans have little knowledge of what life is like in other countries. A study by the National Geographic Society found that eighty-five percent of Americans aged 18 to 24 could not find Iraq on a map. More than half could not locate India, and almost thirty percent could not identify the Pacific Ocean.
In the worst case, this ignorance can lead to an inability to consider perspectives and interests other than our own. We believe the best way for young people to learn about the world is not in a classroom, but through first-hand experience. Through America Looks Beyond, students will gain invaluable knowledge about different cultures and countries.
America is a vast country, and we have to work hard not to lose touch with the rest of the world. The knowledge students gain from spending six weeks in a third world country will not only enrich their lives, but will help close the gulf of understanding that currently exists between America and the rest of the world.
We believe America Looks Beyond is the first step toward winning the war on terrorism and building a more peaceful world. We're excited about this project, and we hope you are too.
A big improvement on the 'War teaches Americans geography' (Rhode Island graffiti) approach. For sure — only, it's a hoax. As glassdog quickly reported:
This could possibly be one of the most inspired investments in the future of the country seen around these parts in years. Named America Looks Beyond, it's described as being "explicitly an alternative to the militaristic take on the war on terror." Sound too good to be true? It is. A quick look on ARIN's domain whois records reveal the site is registered to pranksters Ad Busters. Dare to dream, anyway.
Dare to dream, indeed …
