Zadi Diaz - New Media Producer

Wednesday

03Feb2010

Digital Nation

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 12:47PM

Above is a recent interview I conducted with the creators of Digital Nation: Life in the Virtual Frontier for PBS's Frontline.

Producer & correspondent Rachel Dretzin and correspondent Douglas Rushkoff discuss how the Web and digital media have transformed work, learning and social interaction in ways that we are only beginning to understand. FRONTLINE's "Digital Nation" premieres Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET on PBS. Check local listings at http://www.pbs.org/tvschedules

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Global Change through Xchange

Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 2:28PM

For the next few months I will be working with the British Council in helping to develop the Multilateral Community Xchange (MCX) pilot program, a component of the successful internationally recognised Global Xchange program which was primarily developed by the BC and VSO. The program will connect youth and community activists from six countries: USA, France, UK, South Africa, Sierra Leone and Rwanda.

Global XChange is a UK program comparable to the United States’ Peace Corps program. The aim of the program is to develop inter-community and inter-cultural dialogue skills through a series of activities that involve work-shadowing attachments, skills sharing, training workshops and community events. Five incredible Los Angeles nonprofits have been selected to participate: Street Poets, Create Now, Reach LA, Homeboy Industries and LA's Best.

Here's an example of the first program which took place in between Scotland and Malawi. Inspiring.

How can you help? Well, we're currently looking for a sponsor to supply the group of kids who are participating with 2 Flip cameras to document their Xchange experience taking place in Durban and Belfast. Mad props and credit will be given where credit is due. So if you, or someone you know would like to participate, please contact me. I'll continue to update this blog about the experience.

More info about Global Xchange.

globalxchange2010

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Monday

28Dec2009

A Call to Build Cross Cultural Relationships

Monday, December 28, 2009 at 10:21PM

TN2020 in Berlin. Photo by Z_Huey

In spring 2008, thirty young professionals from the US and the UK met in Berlin to discuss how we could build stronger ties with one another both professionally and personally. In fall 2008, we grew to 100 members and met again in Ireland. The group, called Transatlantic Network 2020 (TN2020), began as an initiative of the British Council to help emerging leaders develop solutions to global issues in the areas of politics, business, arts, civil society, science and media.

My involement with this young group of activists, artists, politicians, business professionals, media professionals, scientists, and entreprenuers has been nothing short of amazing. The people involved are smart go-getters who are extremely passionate about information sharing, problem solving, and giving back to their communities.

TN2020 in Ireland. Photo by Noneck

And now TN2020 is looking for new members. From their Web site:

TN2020 seeks to target outstanding early-career professionals who are shaping, or who have the potential to shape society in the coming decades. It is the goal of the network to bring together people from a wide range of educational, ethnic, religious, political and professional backgrounds. It is essential to do this in order to have challenging discussions, real learning from others' views and international outlooks, and ultimately - the cross fertilisation of ideas which lead to action in at least one of three focus areas - sustainable living; building resilience in communities; creativity and innovation.

All members, whatever their background, should be committed to learning from each other and working together on issues. Members must be willing to give back, and see this as an opportunity to not only better themselves, but their wider networks and community.

Walking tour of Belfast. Discussing Protestant/Catholic divide. Photo by Plasticshore

If you're a young professional (between 25-35 years of age) interested in cross-cultural relations and diplomacy, I encourage you to apply. The deadline for submission is January 17, 2010. If you'd like to connect with the members and join in on the conversation, there is a TN2020 Facebook group which is regularly updated.

I'll be updating this blog more frequently on TN2020 activities leading up to the Summit in Chicago in June 2010, as well as other British Council initiatives I'm working on that I'd like you to participate in (more on that very soon). In the meantime, here are some links:

TN2020 Application

TN2020 British Council Web site

TN2020 Tumblr

TN2020 Flickr Photos

TN2020 YouTube Channel

TN2020 Twitter

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Monday

21Dec2009

Get Seen with Steve Garfield!

Monday, December 21, 2009 at 6:18PM

My good friend and long time videoblogger, Steve Garfield, is coming out with a book this January called Get Seen. If you're curious about web video you should definitely check it out. The book is thick, and knowing Steve, I'm sure it covers everything that has anything to do with online video. Steve has been around since the very beginning and has a lot of experience to share. He currently teaches all he knows at BU, Northeastern and Emerson College.

I'm also featured as the very first quote in the book (see below). There's also an interview in the book with both Steve Woolf and me. Thanks for including us Steve!