This film needs to be seen by our elected leaders in Washington!
-Renada, Oklahoma City, OK
Financial Executive
Here’s a brief overview of some recent developments – in headline form. As we depend on our advisors and friends for ideas and contacts, please do not hesitate to let us know of your interest in being involved in our projects. CITIZENARTS is an absolutely open, collaborative educational enterprise.
PACIFIC DESTINY DEBUTS AT CHINESE CONSULATE GENERAL RECEPTION IN NYC
Pacific Destiny, the newest CITIZENARTS documentary, is just being completed in recognition of the 40th anniversary of China-US diplomatic relations. This unprecedented educational program presents Chinese and Americans sharing insights into what they do and do not understand about each other, how their histories and cultures are reflected in their governing, business, education and other aspects of everyday life – and their hopes for the future. We meet academics, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, students, professionals, laborers, artists and many others in their homes, schools and at work and play.
An abbreviated version of Pacific Destiny was presented in February 2019 at the Chinese Consulate General’s gala 40th anniversary reception in New York City. Jill Gabbe, shown above with Shen Xi, Vice Consul, represented CITIZENARTS. The documentary’s first full presentation will be at the China Institute in New York in early spring 2019. Planning is underway for Pacific Destiny forums throughout the US and in China – and we welcome your suggestions for academic institutions and civic, business, policy and culture groups that may be interested in hosting an educational forum.
PRODUCTION BEGINS ON UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY (working title)
Europe, the crucible of Western civilization, took thousands of years to form and show itself. And when it burst forth, it was unlike anything ever seen. From the Greeks and Romans to the Renaissance, Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution, Europeans showered the world with often revolutionary and glorious ways to think about and shape life. But then, as though unable to contain its appetites, energy, genius, it consumed itself in ferocious tempests. And the world’s maestro became something different.
What is Europe today? What might it become?
CITIZENARTS seeks to unravel this mystery by undertaking its first Europe-focused educational project. Completion is targeted for 2020.
FORUM TOURS FOR TO THE MOUNTAINTOPS DRAW NEARLY 3,000 ATTENDEES
To the Mountaintops is an intimate, unvarnished and provocative exploration of the largest and in many ways most remarkable societies – China and India, revealing how their wholly distinctive characters are shaping their future — and the world’s. Forum tours in 2018 and in early 2019 in India, the US and China involved more than 40 academic institutions, think tanks and business and culture groups. Forum presentations continue.
(Photos clockwise from upper left) Jim Gabbe speaking on a panel at The Dragon and the Tiger, an educational forum in Mumbai hosted by Essar/Avid Learning. Jeff Lewis of CITIZENARTS leading a forum at Ashoka University in Delhi. CITIZENARTS Advisor Arvind Bhorilal and Polly Arvind joined students and faculty for a forum at Loreto College in Kolkata. Lily Wang of CITIZENARTS engaging with students in Delhi.
POINTS OF VIEW: WOMEN IN CHINA, INDIA AND THE US PRESENTED AT NISHAN WORLD CIVILIZATIONS FORUM
Points of View was created in partnership with the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations and first presented at the Nishan Forum in Qufu, China in 2018. It presents inspiring, informative and touching comments by women about their countries, professional challenges and successes, families, dreams for the future – and more.
(Photos: Center) Jim premieres Points of View at the Nishan World Women's Forum. (right) The CITIZENARTS team with Advisor Guozhong Cao (second from left) and Madame Zhang Yinjun, Executive President of the Nishan World Women’s Forum (center).
US EMBASSY IN CZECH REPUBLIC AND PRAGUE WRITERS’ FESTIVAL HOLD FORUMS FEATURING A MORE – OR LESS – PERFECT UNION
Over 200 citizens in 32 states were interviewed by CITIZENARTS for A More – or Less – Perfect Union, making it the first documentary of its kind to explore in-depth the state-of-mind of the United States of America, whose Constitution was penned to “form a more perfect union.” It is being presented throughout the US and was shown in Czech Republic cities as part of a US Embassy program on US democracy co-sponsored by the world-renowned Prague Writer’s Festival (PWF).
(Photos: left) PWF Founder and President Michael March and Jim at a Prague forum hosted by the US Embassy. (center and right) Forums in Pilsen and Brno.
JOURNEY WITH THE GIANT APPROACHES 100TH FORUM
Journey with the Giant, completed in 2012, continues to be updated and shown around the US and in China. This one-of-its-kind educational documentary tells the story of China's rise from Third World doldrums to global super power in an insightful, informative and entertaining way.
(Photos: Recent educational forums built around Journey with the Giant include left) Harvard University, (center) Huaiyin Normal University in China, and (right) California State University, Los Angeles.
UNIVERSITY AND OTHER INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATIONS CONTINUE TO EXPAND
Among our affiliations are:
COLLABORATION ON SHORT DOCUMENTARIES FOR UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN CHINA AND CZECH REPUBLIC
In production or being planned for start-up in 2019 are the following:
(left) The AIDS Prevention Education Project for Chinese Youth (APEPCY), an NGO based in Beijing, instructs educators on presenting sex education and HIV/AIDS prevention to teenagers in China. CITIZENARTS is supporting this initiative by developing a promotional documentary for use in its social media and other outreach.
(center) Yunnan Project Hope for the Minorities was founded in 1994 to provide better educational opportunities for children in remote areas of Yunnan Province. CITIZENARTS is planning to work with the organization on developing a brief documentary about its work - especially with girls from poor minority families, who have historically been underserved.
(right) Working with Dr. Pavel Hlavacek of West Bohemia University, we will be creating an educational documentary that explores the evolution of democracy and influence of the US on civic discourse and practice in the Czech Republic.
ON-LINE PRESENTATION OF EDUCATIONAL DOCUMENTARIES IS PLANNED
At the request of affiliated universities and colleges in the US and India, CITIZENARTS is planning to broaden access to its educational documentaries by making them available on-line. These programs would be presented in classrooms as part of course curriculum and could include real-time, online discussions with CITIZENARTS staff. Our first "virtual" forum will be presented in mid-2019.