This is an outline of a project idea that is under discussion. I’m sharing it in order to get feedback and support from anyone who may be interested in being part of it. I’m keeping it short.
I am giving it the temporary title of ‘The Netstorms Project’ because Netstorms is the name of a company I’ve already established, the name of a web domain that I own, and because it is at least partly descriptive of the vision I wish to share. I do not wish to own the vision or project however, that’s why the name is temporary.
The vision is to bring people together in a number of groups across the world and to have them work together on mutually agreed projects.
The vision is one of groups talking about belonging, connection and empowerment. About how we can be connected person to person in local groups and group to group regionally and globally.
The aim is to engender understanding of belonging and connection through the sharing of experience and perspectives; to explore the idea that groups are intrinsically empowering and to consciously use groups to empower ourselves and others.
Methods include using conversation, writing and art to express experience and perspectives, and learning how to use digital skills and resources in order to share them.
In August I wish to work with a group or groups of children, young people or adults on a project involving:
- understanding the value and power of groups and sharing experience, perspectives, knowledge and skills
- creating videos and websites as media for sharing more widely and persistently
- learning the information technology and digital media skills are required to create and maintain online groups.
If anyone is interested in working with me on this project please contact me. I would like to have some discussions on this in April and May.
If anyone has a group, young people or adults, that might be interested. I would be happy to work with them online or in person. By the end of May I would like to have identified interested groups and venues.
I am not seeking funding for my own work and will pursue this on a voluntary basis but an important part of the project is recognising that some groups, particularly in less developed parts of the world, will need more support to be fully functioning members of an online mediated community and there must be a commitment to seeking resources and I would welcome help in obtaining funding for this aspect.
I am posting this to online groups, to local groups and to individuals that I have worked with and that might be interested. I am happy to discuss this in detail and even happier to develop it in detail with anyone interested. I have not detailed teaching methods and contents as these will vary according to age and other characteristics of the group or groups involved.