The Process

Approach, Ask, Connect, Pass it On...

Many of us make regular contributions to assist those in troubled countries via established, well-audited organizations and this is fine. A personal effort, however, results in a personal response. It also serves to show us just how distant we are from our family in the global village and then how close after the ease of contact. It is revealing that we are able to live with no consciousness at all of our all our global neighbors, let alone our less advantaged ones—at home or afar—and then how acutely involved we can become. This has been one of the fascinating results of this effort and the studies done around it. We experience, from people, the beliefs other populations hold, including those about how we live and what we care about*.

There has never been a project like this before, so there is a mild discomfort at each end — usually more at this end than is experienced by the new contact. We hear again and again from our “Starters” that they feel uncomfortable approaching a neighbor, co-worker, or an unnamed but “familiar stranger” and asking if he or she has family or friends with whom he or she can connect. We ask that individuals look at their fear of strangers (or associates) as part of this exercise. Our co-workers, for example, feel the same way about us . And whether individually or internationally, we remain fearful and misjudging regarding who we all are at heart.

How to Begin?

For the Average Adult

1. Approach someone you see periodically and explain the “chain of Alliances” project. Ask if the person would mind your emailing and corresponding with a relative or friend. Suggest that you wait until the contact has been told you will be emailing. If you run into someone else in the meantime, all the better. One “Starter” began with 3 others who sought out their own connections and that configuration grew to include approximately 300 people, from 4 countries, within 3 months.
2. Once the contact has been informed, email and re-explain the project. There is a 90% response rate.
3. Don’t worry about translation. This is another link. One simply asks someone of the same culture and language to translate. The same is automatically the case at the other end. Keep your translator(s) involved at this end.
4. Pass the project forward to two friends, relatives, co-workers...whatever. Ask two friends or relatives or associates to do the same. Print-out of this site to explain what you are doing.
5. Maintain your contacts when you have say, four going at once (We’re all busy!) but continue to pass the project forward to at least two associates, friends or relatives every two weeks to a month. The sooner the better. Ask your contacts at home and in a foreign country to do the same. to do the same.
6. Speak to your child’s school or teacher about the project (grade 6 and up) and about starting one among school children learning about each other’s lives and learning new perspectives. The subjects, areas, means and process are overflowing with opportunities to learn elements about peoples’ lives that will otherwise never be presented to them. START WITH THE CHILDREN.
7. Have your company begin a program with a similar effort in a challenged country. .Mentor the company (initially via a contact). Eventually have employees communicate with employees and families with...

Sooner than we can imagine, we will have circled our global village!