JourneyToPeace/YouthLetter

August 27, 2004

Attn: Youth Leader

I am the director of a feature documentary that shows how five ordinary citizens and one world leader choose simple, non-violent action in the midst of tremendous conflict.

The film reveals to viewers how a secretary, a waitress, an art teacher, a homemaker, an attorney and a monk act simply, yet potently in one moment and unleash a chain of events which change the world. Nobel Peace Laureates Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Betty Williams, Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Aung San Suu Kyi, Shirin Ebadi and His Holiness the Dalai Lama invite us to experience this freedom and power.

This is an invitation to collaborate. I think if we work collectively, we can leverage our individual and mutual missions to greater visibility. Where youth bring passion, drive and optimism, the Nobels offer seasoned expertise in teaching us how to change the world. They are doing it now, tackling the complexities that can thwart the rest of us.

Consider the following proposal as a suggestion for how we may work together. I welcome a conversation regarding your thoughts or questions. I thank you for your time, and wish you the best in your endeavors.

Kind Regards

Valerie Mrak

A Unifying Concept which Enhances Visibility Journey to Peace offers youth around the globe a clear and mobilizing platform for change. The film explores specifically, in the actual decisions of the Laureates and conceptually, in the larger discussion of peacemaking, the skill of peacemaking. The Nobels explain why peace is possible, powerful, practical and personal. They show us how to “do” peacemaking and invite us to practice a skill and experience its power. Journey to Peace offers local youth organizations a chance to connect and work together towards a universal vision for change that has the potential to unify youth across the globe as well as educate the world about their individual endeavors.

Create International Networks Consider the capabilities that a network provides. When one thinks about organizations such as the Peace Corps or Habitat for Humanity (MORE/DIFFERENT EXAMPLES). Youth who bridge national and ideological boundaries now are forging international alliances for the future. We propose the creation of an international, youth-led fundraiser on the topic of peacemaking. I am currently in contact with leaders who may be able to facilitate this in such a way that the payoff is tremendous.

Each participating group will receive a free copy of the Journey to Peace Documentary with name listed in the credits. Additional the free youth-led documentary discussion is a great way for your young people to facilitate a conversation with other youth, adults and community partners to discuss what peace means to them, how their youth project creates peace locally and as a result is creating Peace in larger world.

How Journey to Peace can benefit your youth:

1.	Local community youth project:
•	Fundraiser for your local project 
•	Receive Youth-led fundraiser and discussion guide about the 7 Nobel Laureates 
•	Receive 50% of all funds
•	Receive educational curriculum for making your own documentary
•	Youth media opportunities to showcase community projects and tell their stories

2.	Fundraiser for the production of the Journey to Peace Documentary 
•	Ties local youth to global peace project 
      (Without taking time away from your programs)
•	25% of all funds 
•	Organization name listed in film credits
•	Receive free copy of Journey to Peace documentary film & discussion guide

3.	Establishes a Journey to Peace Youth Fund (where all participants are a member of the public charity and funds are used for collective efforts) : 
•	25% of proceeds goes to Youth Fund
•	To develop youth-led documentary discussion guide 
•	To develop youth-led educational curriculum for making your own documentary
•	To fund youth-produced documentary awards competition
•	All excess funds will be distributed to participating groups or participating groups can come together and decide how they want to use their funds

Additionally, there will be opportunities for intermediaries, networks and agencies to engage young people from their affiliations to co-produce educational materials to use with their local youth groups and organizations.