Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

From the Arctic native peoples, a new educational model for schoolchildren all over the World. Comparison of human environments.  (KINAUVIT ?)

Outline
Lectures address children between 6 and 14 years of age. FOREWORD My contribution to the schools world-wide is a report on what I have learnt by living together with Arctic people inhabiting the most extreme environments. It is a live report of how I came to break through the invisible barriers separating us from the “others”. I wish to contribute to the awareness of a liberating truth I have discovered after much travelling, many encounters and much dialogue: despite diversities, all human beings share the same vital needs, always and everywhere. The need for a roof and food, the need for love and having children, the need for expressing one’s abilities, the need for believing in god or some kind of divinity. That sense of universal belonging generates harmony, freedom, compassion and inner space… Everywhere on Earth, in addition to the family, the school plays a major role within society, although it is often underestimated. Teachers are responsible for educating and training future citizens. Sitting at school desks in any country and at any time, children learn about peace or war, death or life, hatred or love… As adults, they pass on such feelings to their children and grand children, so to the whole world. GOALS The nomadic peoples of the Arctic circle live in an extreme environment, fight for survival every day and still live in harmony with nature and its pace. The white Northern deserts are only apparently empty and still preserve the last precious tokens of mankind whose vulnerable existence reminds us of our origin and where we have come from… By starting from the study of the culture and traditions of the indigenous people of the coldest regions, my lectures are aimed at stimulating children to reflect and reason about themselves and the different forms of life, focussing on the meaning of the expression “citizen of the world” so that one day the may become “free” adults… Though the analysis of the issues of the respect for others, cultural diversity, universal harmony, racism, inner freedom, religions, the final goal is highlighting the important role played by the variety of human beings as a vital and necessary means enabling evolution in general. RESULTS The outcomes of this project are: • a book made up of children’s written thoughts collected World-wide during the conferences held during the IPY period. The book will be translated into different languages; • a World-wide itinerant exhibition of children “products” on Arctic made after participating to lectures, i.e. drawings, essays, pictures, poems, etc.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Children constitute the founding base of any society. It should never be underestimated they represent the future in any country. If children get to know not only issues about the Arctic and its indigenous peoples, but above all about the positive historical, cultural, social, scientific and human value they represent, we prepare a well-seeded ground for future generations. Raising awareness in children means lead them to become sensible adults for everything happening on the Planet, guide them to enhance their outlook so that they do not remain confined into their limited environment. Reindeer breeders’ children who live in the Siberian tundra, Inuit hunters’ children and Mongolian nomads’ children learn already at three years of age to be clear-minded, aware of the space they live in and accountable for their actions. They provide us food for thought about our children and our societies.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Though no partner was involved in this project, whenever I left for an expedition to develop material for lectures I involved local temporary partners to get operational and specific support, i.e. Department of People’s Affairs and Federative Relations of Sakha Republic, RAIPON – Russian Association of Indigenous People of the North, Association of the Russian Polar Explorers.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The project does not provide any field activity in this stage since it is the outcome of past field activities in Canada, Siberia and Mongolia. However, the project will be developed World-wide: lectures for children will be hold in schools, theatres, cinemas, Arctic Institutes, Museums, etc. in any Country.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: June to Aug. 2007      Dec. 2007 - Jan. 2008      June to Aug. 2008
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
This project does not require extensive material. We will only need a videoprojector, a screen, a microphone, a music CD reader, a darkened room. Of course, no resource will be shared with other projects since they are required to the hosting venue.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Despite it is not an actual infrastructure to be left as legacy, the product of the lectures will be a book to record children’s feelings about the life of native peoples in the Arctic regions to be available on request to the entire IPY community.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project I am proposing to IPY has already been implemented by me in Italy for twelve years. All lectures are “endorsed” by the Italian Ministry of Education, each single Italian school normally pays for lectures. At the occasion of IPY 2007-2008, I am proposing it at international level.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

My project is a new autonomous proposal. It explores an innovative approach to disseminate awareness about Arctic peoples among young generations.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Lectures are addressed to children aged between 6 and 14. They start in the morning and envisage the projection of slides during 1.5 hours followed by a debate which may last 2-4 hours. Upon request, the topics dealt with in the morning may be analysed further in the afternoon until 5 P.M. in separate groups Lectures can be given to children of the same age and school level (i.e. all children aged 6), of similar age and school level (i.e. from 6 to 8), of very different age and school level (i.e. from 6 to 14). Topics are Inuit people, Siberian indigenous people and Mongolian nomads. I can hold lectures in Italian, French, English and Portughese. Every lecture will be videorecorded and pictures will be taken to describe the setting.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
My project is fully based on education.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
In this case, there is no real data collection, but at the end of each lecture, I ask children how they would interact if an Inuit or Siberian or Mongolian child got into the classroom. Answers given by children will be collected in a book. This book will be the result of an intercultural survey World-wide.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project is proposed to be funded by two possible streams: • if IPY evaluates the project as eligible, IPY may decide which countries will receive lectures and then seek for funding; • Whoever interested in lectures will directly buy them through my office, and then IPY will only have to publicize them World-wide.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Before the lectures cycle begins in any Country, I will provide to publicize the event on the national and local Press.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Livia Monami
Professional Journalist and Photographer, Lecturer
Via Livorno 51 Rome,
00162
ITALY

Tel: 0039-0644290255
Mobile: no
Fax: 0039-0644290255
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation