Project Aware wa                    -     a modern human-rights organization

-         for freedom and freedom of speech

-         against torture and oppression

-         with a zero-costs philosophy

-         a bridge between pre-existing organizations

-         clear-cut and understandable

Project Aware was not             -     about money and bank accounts

-         about expensive publishing, staff, locations etc.

-         politically involved

-         just focussed on Tibet

 
Project Aware asked for          -     media coverage

-         e-mail donations as tokens of support

-         spreading the word

 
Project Aware ran on              -     goodwill from others

-         sponsorships

-         volunteering professionals

-         the power of numbers

-         awareness

-         idealism

Goal

To end torture and suppression worldwide.

 
Slogan

Project Aware cries out for attention, because we are the voice of their silence. For a free generation!

 
Why Project Aware?

Because torture still occurs globally, even though most people oppose torture and oppression. Project Aware reflected the people’s support by using a new method. As the number of supporters rises, more people will be motivated, and results will be seen.

 
This was Project Aware

Project Aware was a new, independent, non-governmental, non-profit organization, which dedicated itself to making people aware of human rights violations all over the world. By asking all people living in freedom to do something to help those less fortunate, we tried to create a world without torture and oppression. The Project Aware foundation was situated in Amsterdam and operated from the Netherlands.

 
This is how Project Aware was born

Project Aware came into being in Nepal a few years ago, when the initiators came into contact with the kindness of Tibetan refugees but also with the hardships of the people of Tibet.

The Tibetan people have been suffering from torture and oppression for half a century. This still goes on every day, and there have not been any changes. This story touched the initiators deeply, and they became aware that something needed to be done. They were Aware, and the idea to start Project Aware was born.

 
Project Aware did not ask for money and maintained a zero-costs method

Project Aware felt that a true cause does not necessarily run on money. This is why Project Aware did not use blaring bank-account numbers asking for donations, but asked instead for the donation of e-mail addresses. Project Aware also tried to maintain a “zero-costs” method.

With this unique approach, Project Aware put the emphasis on its goal, and not on money. Project Aware also helped to show that there were plenty of people out there who were willing to do something for society without getting paid for it, and that it was not just money that makes the world go round.

This new and clear-cut concept spoke to a growing number of diverse companies and professionals, who offered their resources and services for free, or just in exchange of their name being mentioned. Project Aware ran entirely on the goodwill of others: volunteering professionals, students, interns, sponsors, and of course the constantly increasing number of supporters.

 
Why awareness and e-mail addresses instead of money?

Throughout history, millions of people worldwide have given their lives for a world in which respect and freedom form the foundation of a peaceful society. This was why Project Aware asked everyone to end torture and oppression for good. By realising that things could and should be different, we can end human rights violations once and for all, because every new person who became Aware increased the strength of our voice.

Because Awareness was hard to measure, we asked people who are against torture and oppression, and for freedom and freedom of speech to support us, not financially, but by registering themselves on our Project Aware mailing list. We couldn't emphasize the importance of registering enough, so sign up online, and let your voice against torture and oppression be heard.

 

Former Project Aware projects

Project Aware tried to make people aware of human rights violations through several projects. Because of the lack of media attention on this subject, we launched a very successful radio and television campaign in 2004. We recorded new radio and television commercials later, and these were aired daily, starting May 5th 2005.

Next to our radio and television campaign, we have also started asking for Awareness in the printed media.

Another example is media coverage through entertainment: Project Aware is working with a growing number of  (music) festivals. Project Aware placed information stands there, or appealed to the audience from the stage by means of performances and short presentations. Visitors could visit the Project Aware! stands to become more informed, or to join our cause right away.

Many students and pupils were also drawn to our clear-cut policy. Teenagers from the age of twelve and up could become Aware by joining the former Aware projects, with easy and free access to information on Project Aware and similar subjects. This information could be used for school projects, essays or school presentations, through which they also helped Project Aware by spreading the word.

Children under the age of 12 could playfully experience freedom and become informed about human rights violations on the Kids Aware website. By launching this website, Project Aware build a bridge between the toy industry and social education.

Project Aware was also constantly on the look-out for new ways to reach people and make them Aware.