Filmmaker to discuss documentary about worldwide student civic participation during IU screening
“The World We Want” follows activists in 8 countries
Monday, March 23, 2009
The producer of a film that follows students across the globe as they work for change and to bring attention to critical issues in their countries will be on the Indiana University campus Thursday night, March 26, for a screening. “The World We Want” is an award-winning film that follows youth in 8 countries—the U.S., Bosnia-Herzegovina, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Russia, and Senegal—as they press leaders about issues of public policy in their communities. Patrick Davidson, the producer and director, will be at the screening, which starts at 7:00 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium. He’ll answer questions after the film.IU’s Center for Social Studies and International Education, the IU School of Education Dean’s Advisory Council, and the Office of the Vice President for International Programs is sponsoring the screening. Admission is free.
“This is a rare opportunity for members of the IU and Bloomington communities to view a major documentary film that is receiving critical acclaim and to hear directly from its producer/director about the importance of this work and the process of creating it,” said Terry Mason, professor in the department of curriculum and instruction, and director of the Center for Social Studies and international Education. “It is a truly inspiring piece of filmmaking and we are very lucky to be showing it here on campus. It also provides a compelling counter-example to the perception that today’s youth are disengaged and not interested in improving life in their own communities and creating a better world for all.”
The film’s subjects are all between 11 and 16 years old. Among the issues they tackle are teenage gambling, creating a community constitution in a war-torn town, and securing clean drinking water. The film follows them as they try to convince local and national leaders to take action. The film is inspired by “We the People: Project Citizen,” an international program to promote civic involvement funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
“I want kids all over the world to say ‘I want to be one of them; I want to do what they have done,’” Davidson said. “Also, I want adults to feel proud of these kids and to have a greater respect for the power of kids everywhere and to help them reach their goals.”
Davidson has worked for ABC and the Walt Disney Company. He produced this documentary independently. He said he hopes to make an ongoing television series featuring similar stories and follow up on the youth who are featured in this film in 3 to 5 years. “The film is only a taste of the thousands of extraordinary kids and stories waiting to be told,” he said.
Mason said the film should provide inspiration to all here who see it. “We hope this will encourage teachers and students here to engage in similar civic action and to gain an appreciation for what young people around the world are doing to improve life for their fellow citizens,” he said.
