Next to the UNITV proposal, another one has been developed
based on the Millennium
Meal concept.
This proposal was planned as a TV-program for 1998/99. Alas, the people who promised to introduce me for a presentation did not fulfil this request.
The proposal is based on an idea presented in the book 'Tree Island' by Linda Grover. I met Linda first during a conference for a celebration she co-organized for a 'Day500 before the Millennium' in August 1998 in Klamath Falls OR, USA. The tv-concept is worked out independently on my own account, it hopefully can be developed further in brainstorm sessions.
Would it be possible in the new Millennium to assure that each and every of the six billion earth inhabitants will have enough to eat, to begin with January 1st 2000? This was the provoking proposition of the book. The plan was proposed in the form of a 'Millennium Meal'.
To make this incredible task accessible on a smaller scale, planet Earth was divided in the 24 natural timezones.In other words: the Netherlands for instance is situated in the zone covering zero to fifteen degrees Eastern Longitude. It consists a big part of Western Europe and a central part of Africa.
The title of my TV-program accordingly would be: 0-15° EL.
The challenge remains to care for enough food for everyone on January 1st (2000 unfortunately was not possible as the most imaginative datum). Because this situation has all the ingredients of an infrastructure not yet in place, this is of course but a first attempt to establish more permanent solutions.
In a first phase, the (to begin with: European) TV-stations can use existing connections with African countries in the named longitudes to introduce the project. In a later phase, TV sister-organizations in other European and African countries can link and further develop the program format. Co-operation and attunement with existing aid- and relief networks here and there will be initiated and are essential.
This concept is a unique opportunity to profile especially the public broadcast networks, as an answer to an overwhelming influence of commercial stations. It offers a select opportunity to introduce a potentially strong formule of educative entertainment, which could last for years.
The best and most actual content in culture (music, dance, poetry, literature, movies, art, etc.), science and news coverage from the participating countries will become an essential part of the program.
And while writing this, more ideas develop. I hardly can wait to brainstorm further on 0-15° EL.