Life Bridge: An Epic Journey
A$2,135
of $2,015 targetyrs ago
Successful on 17th Sep 2012 at 2:00AM.
This sale of the book Life Bridge featuring 100 photos of human bridges is enabling an epic journey called the 10 City Bridge Run which asks: "how might we use our networks to improve the delivery of child survival?" Visit http://10citybridgerun.com for more details about the initiative.
This epic stunt involves Matt Jones running 10 sub-marathons each of 24 km in 10 cities across 10 countries to draw attention to a global Design Forum called the D20 which will be held in Seoul at the end of the journey.
Images of 'human bridges' will be the theme of this journey, and the best 100 photographs co-created through collaboration with a global audience will be published in the inspirational book Life Bridge.
We need your help to extend this idea to representative leaders of the three global institutions able to best effect the change identified: G20, Commonwealth and UNDP.
Please pre-purchase a copy of this book to the right of the screen for yourself, and a copy will be sent to the leaders for each of these member states.
Bill and Melinda recently wrote that they are disgusted by child mortality, Tony Lake the Executive Director of UNICEF, describes it as a moral obscenity, and Ben Affleck says that while encouraging progress has been made, the reality is abhorrent. Strong words, and understandable by three statistics recorded by UNICEF in 2012:
* In 2014, we can expect over 17,000 children to die every single day mostly from six preventable causes.
* Thirty percent of these under-five deaths globally will occur in only two countries.
* Only 15 of the 66 countries with a high under-five mortality rate (more than 40 deaths per 1,000) are on track to achieve United Nations Millennium Development Goal 4 due in 2015.
The 10 City Bridge Run is grounded in an idea that it is through the triumph of imagination that we are able to achieve new possibilities. Bill Shore in his 2010 book: "The Imaginations of Unreasonable Men" describes a "narrow but vitally important space between the impractical and the impossible" which he calls the "imagination gap". He writes:
* (Quote from Bill Shore:) The imagination gap is a place where hope lies waiting to be discovered, and cannot be extinguished once it has. Most failures in life are not failures of resources, or organisation, or strategy or discipline. They are failures in imagination."Our networks are possibility factories.
Adam Spencer who relaunched this initiative last year, made this observation when speaking at TED recently: “We live in an age when some of the greatest breakthroughs are not going to happen in the labs or the halls of academies, but on laptops, desktops and in the palms of people’s hands who are simply helping out for the search.”
Human bridges are about seeing the possibilities through a triumph of imagination.
It is between the you and me in this equation, the greater us, that solutions to crush this problem will be found. Bill Gates recently said: “I’m convinced that getting our brightest minds to focus on our biggest problems will solve lives and make the world a better place.”
The initiative is inspired by the Bantu (Kenyan) proverb:
This epic stunt involves Matt Jones running 10 sub-marathons each of 24 km in 10 cities across 10 countries to draw attention to a global Design Forum called the D20 which will be held in Seoul at the end of the journey.
Images of 'human bridges' will be the theme of this journey, and the best 100 photographs co-created through collaboration with a global audience will be published in the inspirational book Life Bridge.
We need your help to extend this idea to representative leaders of the three global institutions able to best effect the change identified: G20, Commonwealth and UNDP.
Please pre-purchase a copy of this book to the right of the screen for yourself, and a copy will be sent to the leaders for each of these member states.
Bill and Melinda recently wrote that they are disgusted by child mortality, Tony Lake the Executive Director of UNICEF, describes it as a moral obscenity, and Ben Affleck says that while encouraging progress has been made, the reality is abhorrent. Strong words, and understandable by three statistics recorded by UNICEF in 2012:
* In 2014, we can expect over 17,000 children to die every single day mostly from six preventable causes.
* Thirty percent of these under-five deaths globally will occur in only two countries.
* Only 15 of the 66 countries with a high under-five mortality rate (more than 40 deaths per 1,000) are on track to achieve United Nations Millennium Development Goal 4 due in 2015.
The 10 City Bridge Run is grounded in an idea that it is through the triumph of imagination that we are able to achieve new possibilities. Bill Shore in his 2010 book: "The Imaginations of Unreasonable Men" describes a "narrow but vitally important space between the impractical and the impossible" which he calls the "imagination gap". He writes:
* (Quote from Bill Shore:) The imagination gap is a place where hope lies waiting to be discovered, and cannot be extinguished once it has. Most failures in life are not failures of resources, or organisation, or strategy or discipline. They are failures in imagination."Our networks are possibility factories.
Adam Spencer who relaunched this initiative last year, made this observation when speaking at TED recently: “We live in an age when some of the greatest breakthroughs are not going to happen in the labs or the halls of academies, but on laptops, desktops and in the palms of people’s hands who are simply helping out for the search.”
Human bridges are about seeing the possibilities through a triumph of imagination.
It is between the you and me in this equation, the greater us, that solutions to crush this problem will be found. Bill Gates recently said: “I’m convinced that getting our brightest minds to focus on our biggest problems will solve lives and make the world a better place.”
The initiative is inspired by the Bantu (Kenyan) proverb:
"If you want to go fast, travel alone; If you want to travel far, then let’s go together."
Seeing the Possibility
Life Bridge draws inspiration from a quote by Ophelia Dahl (co-founder of Partners in Health and daughter of renowned children’s book author Roald Dahl) taken from a graduation speech when she quoted Adam Hochschild who earlier wrote about the importance of “drawing connections between the near and the distant”:
Life Bridge will echo the pledge made by all countries which attended the G20 Seoul Summit in November 2010 where the G20 Seoul Summit Declaration records their commitment to:
This project is what Bill Shore might define as the unreasonable pursuit of a triumph of imagination:
"Linking our own lives and fates with those we can’t see will, I believe, be the key to a decent and shared future... Imagination will allow you to make the link between the near of your lives and the distant others and will lead us to realise the plethora of connections between us and the rest of the world...and this will surely lead to ways in which you can influence others and perhaps improve the world along the way."
Life Bridge will echo the pledge made by all countries which attended the G20 Seoul Summit in November 2010 where the G20 Seoul Summit Declaration records their commitment to:
"focus on concrete measures…to make a tangible and significant difference in people’s lives."In his book "The Imaginations of Unreasonable Men", Bill Shore places emphasis on working to bring existing solutions to scale rather than discovering new ones. The information we need is often known already, and we just need to work out how better to apply this knowledge for best effect.
This project is what Bill Shore might define as the unreasonable pursuit of a triumph of imagination:
"Though imagination cannot be purchased, there are ways to purposefully create a culture that acknowledges the primacy of imagination in reaching breakthrough solutions. This can be done by constantly challenging the conventional wisdom and even the most longstanding assumptions. It can be done by asking hard questions about what is possible, even if such questions seem naive, and by rewarding risk and not penalising dreamers...Great imaginations are almost always unreasonable, but they almost always triumph in the end."
The Challenges
This is a race against time, highlighting how important the first 100 days are in a child’s life.
Up to two-thirds of new born deaths can be prevented by intervention at birth and during the first week of life if known and effective health measures are provided. The first 28 days are critical to saving a child’s life, and in 100 days if we unite around a common goal we can literally change the world.
“Things can be better” as Bill and Melinda Gates recently said, but we must get involved now in order to make that change possible.
The imperative to act now was made clear to Matt more than ever recently on learning about the death of his uncle and his uncle's three grandchildren aboard MH17. Similarly, during his service as an Australian Army Officer, he saw the world change in an afternoon with the unfolding of events caused by the 2004 tsunami.
"Seeing the Possibilities" is taken from the blog title from Robert Davies who was previously the CEO at IBLF in London.
Matt reflect: "Robert Davies took a chance on me by including me in a high-level, invitation-only meeting one time in London. Two weeks later, before I could post him a note of thanks, he was dead from cancer. He had no doubt known of this all the time, and showed exceptional courage and kindness at a time in extraordinary circumstances. It remains one regret of mine not to have written that note sooner, and so the book Life Bridge is a retrospective tribute to the contribution Robert made to the lives of many."
Opportunities are fleeting. We can get lost in the enormity of 6.4 million children under the age of five dying across the course of this year. "If not us, who. If not now, when?"
To highlight the sense of urgency around this issue, the journey begins on my birthday on 9 August and concludes 100 days later on 17 November.
I am unable to complete this without the support of others. Thank you for joining me on the journey, as a supporter or by forwarding this link to others.
Up to two-thirds of new born deaths can be prevented by intervention at birth and during the first week of life if known and effective health measures are provided. The first 28 days are critical to saving a child’s life, and in 100 days if we unite around a common goal we can literally change the world.
“Things can be better” as Bill and Melinda Gates recently said, but we must get involved now in order to make that change possible.
The imperative to act now was made clear to Matt more than ever recently on learning about the death of his uncle and his uncle's three grandchildren aboard MH17. Similarly, during his service as an Australian Army Officer, he saw the world change in an afternoon with the unfolding of events caused by the 2004 tsunami.
"Seeing the Possibilities" is taken from the blog title from Robert Davies who was previously the CEO at IBLF in London.
Matt reflect: "Robert Davies took a chance on me by including me in a high-level, invitation-only meeting one time in London. Two weeks later, before I could post him a note of thanks, he was dead from cancer. He had no doubt known of this all the time, and showed exceptional courage and kindness at a time in extraordinary circumstances. It remains one regret of mine not to have written that note sooner, and so the book Life Bridge is a retrospective tribute to the contribution Robert made to the lives of many."
Opportunities are fleeting. We can get lost in the enormity of 6.4 million children under the age of five dying across the course of this year. "If not us, who. If not now, when?"
To highlight the sense of urgency around this issue, the journey begins on my birthday on 9 August and concludes 100 days later on 17 November.
I am unable to complete this without the support of others. Thank you for joining me on the journey, as a supporter or by forwarding this link to others.
* Thank You and Recognition *<br /> <br /> A special thank you sent from me to you!<br /> - Also, your name as a Supporter in the 'Life Bridge' book.<br /> - If you chose this reward, you done good! Every bit of support counts, no matter how small.<br /> - It takes 2 to build a bridge! Thanks for joining this journey!<br /> <br /> * Note that each pledge category includes the 'reward' described for that section. *
2 chosen
Est. delivery is Sep 12
* Postcard From A Special Journey *<br /> <br /> One postcard sent to you from one of the 10 cities where I will run.<br /> - A short account of where this journey is taking me at that point in time: location, personal experience, a better understanding of child mortality.<br /> - Chosen at random: not the city where you live!<br /> - Receive the personal journal of the 'Life Bridge' experience sent as an e-book.<br /> - Also includes a special thank you from me to you!
3 chosen / 237 available
Est. delivery is Oct 12
* The book 'Life Bridge': Printed in softcover *<br /> <br /> The book 'Life Bridge', printed in softcover and signed by myself. <br /> <br /> - This book tells a story of hope, with 100 beautifully presented photos of human bridges. A manifesto for change.<br /> <br /> - Your name as a Supporter in the 'Life Bridge' book.<br /> <br /> - My personal journal from the 'Life Bridge' experience.<br /> <br /> - A special thank you from myself!
7 chosen / 993 available
Est. delivery is Dec 12
* 10 Postcards Sent With Love *<br /> <br /> 10 handwritten postcards, one from each of the 10 cities I run. <br /> <br /> - Written with TLC, and plenty of blood, sweat and tears. An insight into my journey.<br /> <br /> - Also, a signed 'Life Bridge' book, printed in softcover. This a story of hope, with 100 beautifully presented photos of human bridges.<br /> <br /> - Your name as a Supporter in the 'Life Bridge' book.<br /> <br /> - My personal journal.<br /> <br /> - A special thank you from myself!<br /> <br /> - Limited to 24! Don't miss out!
9 chosen / 15 available
Est. delivery is Dec 12
* 10 Mementos from 10 Cities *<br /> <br /> Receive 10 very unique mementos from each of the 10 cities I run, posted to you from Seoul at the end of the journey.<br /> - Something different. An insight into the diversity of my journey.<br /> - Also, a signed 'Life Bridge' book, printed in softcover. This a story of hope, with 100 beautifully presented photos of human bridges.<br /> - Your name as a Supporter in the 'Life Bridge' book.<br /> - My personal journal.<br /> - A special thank you from myself!
2 chosen / 8 available
Est. delivery is Nov 12
* Hardcover Edition *<br /> <br /> Limited to 100 people.<br /> <br /> - Rare hardcover edition of 'Life Bridge' book, signed with a dedication from myself. A story of hope. A manifesto for change.<br /> <br /> - A postcard from every city I run. 10 postcards written while I am digging deep and giving my all.<br /> <br /> - Your name as a Supporter in the 'Life Bridge' book.<br /> <br /> - Invitation to contribute a photo to the book 'Life Bridge'.<br /> <br /> - My personal journal. <br /> <br /> - VIP Invitation to the 'Life Bridge' Design Forum.
3 chosen / 97 available
Est. delivery is Dec 12
* Innovation Partner *<br /> <br /> Support opportunities for innovation because of your commitment to see a difference made to the world. <br /> - Rare hardcover edition of 'Life Bridge' book, signed with a dedication from myself. <br /> - Invitation to contribute a photo to the book 'Life Bridge'.<br /> - Your name as an Innovation Partner to enable this project after the forward of the book.<br /> - Your name as a Supporter in the 'Life Bridge' book.<br /> - My personal journal.<br /> - A special thank you from myself.
1 chosen / 23 available
Est. delivery is Dec 12
* Change Maker *<br /> <br /> Receive 100 copies of the softcover book Life Bridge to distribute to your within your organisation and to your valued stakeholders.<br /> - An opportunity to talk about innovative approaches to addressing intractable issues, such as child mortality.<br /> - Your brand appearing on the running shirt design.<br /> - Your brand reflected behind the forward of the book Life Bridge.<br /> - Your name as a Supporter in the 'Life Bridge' book.<br /> - A special thank you from myself!
0 chosen / 10 available
Est. delivery is Dec 12
* Bridge Builder * <br /> <br /> Be recognised for your capacity to help build this bridge.<br /> - Your brand appearing on the running shirt design.<br /> - Written preface from you or your representative to the book 'Life Bridge'.<br /> - 240 softcover copies of the book 'Life Bridge' to spark conversation (delivered December)<br /> - A special thank you from myself.<br /> <br /> Why 11,324?<br /> This is representative of the daily child mortality target representing 1/3 of 1990 rate (12.4 million children year) to meet 2015 UNMDG4.
0 chosen / 1 available
Est. delivery is Oct 12