Why Afghanistan Matters: A NATO Sponsored Video Contest and Tribute
This "new media" initiative will allow public interaction and participation about Afghanistan in a new, innovative manner. As the contest website succinctly states, NATO is hoping for a "boots on the ground perspective of the military mission in Afghanistan from the point of view of those most closely involved. We will not edit clips for content, but will exclude contest submissions that jeopardize troop security, or show offensive material."
Videos must be mailed or uploaded by September 30, 2009 and viewers will rate the top 4 videos by October 31, 2009. The top 4 videos will earn new camcorders. More importantly, the video contest provides an opportunity for the international public to witness a first hand report of why Afghanistan matters. An image or video can be so much more powerful than the written word. Viewing Afghanistan through the lens of someone on the ground there conveys a very, powerful message.
With the NATO mission in Afghanistan reaching the 8-year mark this fall, it is important to remind the public of the importance of the mission. The best people to present this case are those that have served in the region and understand how to present compelling reasons. A video format in today's digital age is a brilliant idea. With high speed Internet access and Youtube, the contest can be organized and managed in a relatively, simple manner.
Contestants can utilize the NATO sponsored Rumblefish to download songs for their video essays. Several current videos use light background music to highlight their footage with the best two videos being "A Little Story of Hope - Remix!" and "This Is Why Afghanistan Matters". Both videos emphasize photos and images of the people of Afghanistan, particularly children. The "Remix" video mixes in Afghan people with NATO soldiers in various settings such as farms, schools, and construction projects.
Vote and view comments on video submissions at www.youtube.com/AfghanistanMatters.
Sources:
http://contest.afghanistanmatters.com/
Published by Chris LeCron
Army reserve officer, adjunct professor, tutor, writer, semi-pro soccer player, father, and husband of a nurse practitioner. My views and opinions do not represent the U.S. Army, DOD, or U.S. government's o... View profile
- President Obama and the War in Afghanistan: A PoemPoem critical of our involvement in Afghanistan.
- Air Force Strike Team Pushes back Enemy in AfghanistanIn a statement released by the U.S. Air Force, the Combined Air and Space Operations Center says that during operations yesterday in Afghanistan, coalition air and ground forces combined with International Security As...
Retiring Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Pace, Pays Farew...The General spent his time in Afghanistan with the members of the Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team and with the paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division.- Support the Troops and Their Mission in IraqI start by proudly saying I support our brave troops and their mission in Iraq and I know they will see victory one day. What is victory you may ask? Victory is a free and stable Iraq that will be our ally in the war...
- Musings from an NGO Worker in Afghanistan
- NATO Troops Secure Taliban Stronghold in Afghanistan
- The Evolving Nature of the Allied Forces, NATO and the North American Union (NAU)
- Schools in Afghanistan Disrupted by Ongoing Attacks and Killings
- The UK's Involvement in Afghanistan Requires a New Approach
- The Case for the Use of Nukes in Afghanistan
- Weapons Smuggler Killed in Afghanistan Military Mission