A few months ago, I devoured Ludovic Hubler's book until the last page. And in this last page, the author mentionned the project he had in mind: Travel with a mission
I quickly contacted Ludovic to learn more about his project and offered to lend him a hand.
Building bridges between teachers who are keen to welcome globe trotters and those who are globe trotting and are keen to visit the schools of the world, is what www.travelwithamission.org set itself as an objective.
The plan in a few words
A first notice about travelers using this website
There are more and more young (and sometimes less young) cultured and open minded people willing to travel a few months or a few years to increase their knowledge of the world surrounding them. These, often polyglot, fully licensed globe trotters, are more and more frequent on the world's roads. Before leaving, or on their way, they often realize that their journey could be useful to others as well.
This is "Travel With A Mission"'s (TWAM) "raison d'etre"
Our western consumer society is too individualistic, too self centered, let's say: too selfish!
And yet, more and more young people wish to be useful to help cure our sick planet, suffering from environmental problems, wars, and all sorts of social disorders.
The TWAM site will be a useful tool to all these young altruists, wishing to travel for a specific goal.
A second one about homebody's using this website
The development of new rechnologies across the world (and more recently the growth of social networks) has shown the need for people to learn from each other, in order to respect each one's right to be different.
Teachers have a crucial part to play in this field, as they train youth and encourage cultural exchanges.
Thoughout the world, teachers and training officers seek for means to allow youth to mix with other people originating from different social and cultural backgrounds.
TWAM will help teachers to meet this need.
Concept and Objective
TWAM is an interactive website that allows links between people willing to perform lectures throughout the world in every social or cultural environment (schools, universities, various organisations) and those likely to accomodate these lectures in their institutions.
It will promote :
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Intercultural dialogue and exchange of knowledge between nations/ ethnic groups/ communities/ religions...................
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"Intelligent travelling" and encounter between travelers and natives.
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Knowledge and "know-how" exchanges between individuals whatsoever.
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Help to globetrotters media coverage of tehir journey by means of a data base of journalists throughout the world, who are eager to publish orginal initiatives carrying a positive impact on the community.
If you wish to support this beggining project, or if you approuve of it, linf to the facebook page or send an email, and come discuss it at the first meeting in Paris on December 10th and 11th.