indonesia-voicing disaster

voicing disaster:

responding to natural disasters as global citizens

Due to the interconnectedness of our world these days, the global response to natural disasters is becoming an important key to mobilizing humanitarian relief aid. From the recent tsunami in Japan, to earthquakes in Haiti and Indonesia, to flooding in Pakistan and China, to hurricane Katrina and the 2004 tsunami, natural disasters seem to be happening not only more frequently, but also with increased severity.

But unlike natural disasters of the past that garnered little international media attention, today’s natural disasters are featured front page, and touch the lives of people watching the six o’clock news all over the world. And with these images of destruction comes an overwhelming desire to support these communities affected, although most of us are unsure of how we can really best help the situation.

The Paradigm Shift Project is digging deeper to answer the question, 'how can we most effectively respond as global citizens to natural disasters around the world?'. In this film we examine the different roles that local and international organizations play in responding to natural disasters, and document survivors’ accounts of what kind of relief aid programming has been most effective for their community. We want to share with global audiences what really happens on the ground after natural disasters, and most importantly, how each of us can most effectively contribute to the relief efforts.

Who will benefit from the project?

‣Documentary participants
Documentary participants will have the opportunity to fully express their experiences, acting as a therapeutic outlet as well as a constructive one that will help to shape NGO programming and garner support for programs that are working to help rebuild their community is a sustainable way.
‣Grassroots NGOs
Grassroots NGOs working on humanitarian aid relief will be provided this documentary free of charge, to use as a fundraising tool that will demonstrate the importance of programs like theirs. Even if not working in the same geographic area where filming takes place, the documentary will be produced to be non-exclusive and relevant to a wide range of relief organizations all over the world. We hope that they will use this to reach new donors, send with international grant applications, and raise awareness on the issues of humanitarian aid and the solutions their organization offers.
‣Canadian classrooms
After this documentary is finished, PSP will produce curricula guides and teachers kits to accompany this film to make it a relevant teaching tool for grades 1-12. These will be available free of charge, both online and in print.
‣General public
PSP places all its documentaries online for the world to view free of charge, and holds community screenings. A resource guide on how to hold your own screening of the film will also be developed and placed online free of charge.