Freedom is a universal right. One which millions of people in history have given their lives for. That is why Project Aware makes an appeal to everybody to end torture and oppression once and for all. These, after all, are the worst forms of deprivation of freedom.
Project Aware is an initiative of the Spanish Atreya from Barcelona and her Dutch partner Jeroen from Amsterdam. During a journey through Nepal and Northern India they met a group of Tibetan refugees who were living in banishment across the Nepalese border. Since the Chinese took over Tibet in 1949 the Tibetans have been living in oppression, many of them having to flee to survive. Atreya and Jeroen came in contact with the Tibetan culture and found a hospitality unknown in Europe. The refugees told them their shocking stories of oppression, human rights violations of the worst kind and the total destruction of the unique Tibetan culture. It was this extraordinary meeting which made Atreya and Jeroen Aware and inspired them to undertake action.
Once returned to the Netherlands, the two had great difficulty adapting to the busy everyday life and the luxury of a materialistic society. The impressions of their journey made it impossible for them to forget the situation in Tibet. Unfortunately, the majority of the Europeans were not aware of the hardships of the Tibetan people, just as Atreya and Jeroen were not before they made the journey. They also discovered that media coverage on this subject was deficient. It surprised the two initiators that there was this little knowledge about a country as large as Western Europe. That is why they thought it was of great importance to inspire others, so they would also turn on the mental Awareness switch. The idea of Project Aware was born.
Initiator and singer-songwriter Atreya wrote a special song for the Tibetans. After the recordings a video clip was shot and radio and television commercials were made. In 2004 a successful promotional campaign started in which almost all Dutch national radio and television stations participated. Project Aware's reputation grew and the number of digital signatures increased.
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Project Aware's main objective is to start a process of Awareness with as many people as possible. By now Project Aware is widely known amongst various groups of people. Several activities and events have successfully contributed to this.

2002
2003
2004
2005
2006

- The first awareness – counter: 2 (November 2002)
Initiators Atreya and Jeroen make their journey through Nepal and Northern India. At the Nepalese border they meet a group of Tibetan refugees who introduce them to the Tibetan culture. The two hear stories about the abominable conditions in which the Tibetan people live since the Chinese take-over of 1949. This experience changes them and makes them Aware. Back in the Netherlands they want to inspire people and make them aware of the oppression of the Tibetans. Project Aware is born.

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- Project Aware Release Party - counter: 330 (March 2003)
Initiator and singer-songwriter Atreya writes a special song for the Tibetans. After the recordings a video clip is shot and television and radio commercials are made, shortly after Project Aware throws her Release Party at Muiderpoort Theater in Amsterdam. During this release Project Aware presents her plans and thanks her sponsors and supporters.
- Start petition - counter: 410 (July 2003)
The Project Aware website is launched. On this website it is now possible to show support to Project Aware by dropping your digital signature. The webshop has been opened as well. Here a selection of promotional articles such as cd's and t-shirts can be bought.

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- Legal form of foundation established - counter: 500 (January 2004)
In order to further professionalize Project Aware a foundation is established. Needless to say; this has been taken care of by a notary according to the zero-cost-method.

- Project Aware at Liberationfestivals - counter: 900 (May 2004)
Initiator and singer-songwriter Atreya performs at the Liberationfestivals and events of May 5th and calls on the visitors to drop their signature. The Aware song and radio commercials are played as well.

- A thousand people Aware - counter: 1000 (May 2004)
Project Aware congratulates her 1000th supporter.

- Launch Project Aware radio & television commercials - counter: 1.100 (June 2004)
In order to reach a wider public, Project Aware has produced radio and television commercials. All the mayor Dutch radio and television stations, as well as some well-known national and regional television stations participate free of charge. The broadcasts of these commercials show positive results.

- First outdoor promotion - counter: 3.100 (August 2004)
Project Aware proudly presents the Project Aware car. This unique eye-catcher will promote our mission on the Dutch streets, on its way to Awareness. Project Aware will also contract a temporary collaboration with Wielertaxi Amsterdam. A dozen remarkable riksjas operate in Central Amsterdam. These white bicycle taxis will be pasted with Project Aware posters in order to ask for attention for human rights.
Moreover, Project Aware will ask for attention at the Gay Parade. With a small, yet eye-catching motor boat in Gay Parade style Project Aware will send out the signal: “Project Aware - Gay Rights”.
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- Aware office and recruitment of volunteers - counter: 5.000 (January 2005)
Due to the fast growth of the foundation and its tasks, Project Aware needed the help of volunteers. Volunteers are now recruited by sending an e-mail to supporters and a notice on the website and recruitment websites. Within months the number of volunteers steadily increases. Inturns are hired to develop theirselfs at Project Aware.
Because of this expansion it is no longer possible to work from the attic from which the foundation operated until now. Luckily, marketing and communications consulting agency Pleon offers Project Aware accommodation in their office.

- Launch of new radio & television (RTV) commercials- counter: 6.000 (May 2005)
In order to boost the previously mentioned RTV campaign Project Aware launches a new series of RTV commercials. The focus of these new commercials is to canvass for signatures. Again the national and regional RTV stations support Project Aware by donating generous amounts of free broadcast time.

- Ten thousand people Aware! - counter: 10.000 (May 2005)
A true milestone for a fast growing organisation: over 10.000 people support the mission of Project Aware.

- To Be Aware Party - counter: 20.000 (August 2005)
In celebration of reaching 10.000 supporters Project Aware and Hotel Arena in Amsterdam organize the To Be Aware Party. However, during the preparations this number doubles. Even more reason for a spectacular party. From 7 pm until 6 am the theme of the party is freedom. Various surprise acts, among which a live concert by initiator Atreya, a duet with Marchello, live percussions, Indian dance acts and Agent entertainment and a show by Denise Mulder make the party unique. These Dutch top DJ's supply the right beat until sunrise:
Roog, Ericke, Eric De Man, Marc van Dale, Ronald van Gelderen and Roy Rox.

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- New brand identity - counter: 24.900 (September 2006)
Foundation Project Aware has grown and matured a lot since its establishment in 2004, so it was time for a new look. This new brand identity contains a new logo, commercials and website.

- 25.000 people Aware – counter: 25.000 (November 2006)
The Project Aware counter has reached and exceeded the magical number of 25.000. After two successful days of promoting at universities in The Hague and Amsterdam the number rose by over 200 in the first days. The counter is expected to keep on rising rapidly over the next period due to various new activities.

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