Pangea Day To Use Latest Delivery Media In Hopes Of Bridging Culture Gaps

Pangea
N: (plate tectonic theory) a hypothetical continent including all the landmass of the earth prior to the Triassic period when it split into Laurasia and Gondwanaland [syn: Pangaea, Pangea]

Next month, in search of the world’s first global campfire and an introductory event geared toward fostering a true global community, the inaugural Pangea Day will be unveiled. Envisioned by documentary filmmaker Jehane Noujaim two years ago, Pangea Day seeks to use the Internet, television, mobile phones and digital cinemas to help disparate people from all corners of the world to see the commonalities among all of us — instead of solely the differences.

"Movies alone can’t change the world, but the people who watch them can," said Noujaim, upon accepting the Technology, Entertainment and Design prize in 2006. "If you had the world’s attention for five minutes, what story would you tell?"


So on May 10, 2008, we’ll find out. Four-hour programs of film, music and speakers will be held in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai and Rio de Janeiro, with an impressive list of celebrities involved. In addition to being a fascinating marketing experiment and a singular, important moment in channeling technology, Pangea Day holds close the lofty goal of improving the planet.

“Pangea Day taps the power of film to strengthen tolerance and compassion while uniting millions of people to build a better future,” writes the event’s official site. In under a month, we’ll see just how realistic Noujaim’s dream and Pangea Day's endeavor truly are.