What Can the West Learn from Africa?
By admin | September 3, 2009 at 12:19 am
The producers of “Noble Exchange: Africa” have set off for an eight-country, seven-week trek through Africa with a few bloated bags and one big question: What can the West learn from Africa?
As our world grows increasingly connected and national issues seem all the more complicated we suspect we’re desperate for answers beyond our borders.
So, Tyler, myself and a small crew are traveling from the south of Africa to the north on search of answers, and ultimately on the look out for people who can give insights and inspiration into the questions of our day.
We have chosen to come to the African continent for a collection of reasons. Tyler and I have visited Africa and observed the innovation, resilience and sheer joy of the people. Especially during this economic crisis, we believe Africans have much to say to our times. We also have been frustrated by the kind of images and stories that tend to be shared from the continent. Africa is too often spotlighted as a place of disease, poverty and corruption, and rarely portrayed for its distinct offerings.
As we complete our first leg of the journey time and time again people’s initial response to our question, “What can the West learn from Africa?” has been this: “I have never been asked that before.” While it has been sobering to realize this question is foreign to many, it’s been such a privilege for us to ask it and all the more amazing to hear what the people we’ve met have gone on to day. We can’t wait to share their stories with you!
Tamara Park is a co-producer of “Noble Exchange: Africa.“
Follow @tamarapark and Facebook for daily updates, and watch for blog updates written by the producers for this site. There’s much more to come from this exciting series-in-the-making.
