CONCEPT NOTE
HDPI, Inc, JMU, WMRA Proposed Program
“Being Human”
Raising awareness of our common humanity in crisis situations
Zero Draft 4, 5 May – ER/PR
Proposed
Proposed: A four component initiative to raise public awareness of global humanitarian needs
and constructive efforts to meet them: “Did you know?” service radio spots (30,60 or 90
seconds) that share key facts about humanitarian realities – “Being human”, public service
radio spots highlighting human elements of crisis situations and constructive aid efforts (60 or
90 seconds) – short reels on Being Human for social media – and Being Human web platform
providing an online information basis for these activities.
Problem statement
The plight of people in major crisis situations globally, and the efforts to aid them, are
dramatic and continually evolving human stories, but are receiving little public attention,
concerns such as, large scale numbers of families facing acute threat to life, being forced to
flee, starving, and other crisis circumstances.
Purpose
With empathy, people everywhere recognize that we are all human and global citizens,
understand hunger and fear, and as such share in the plight of others in the most difficult of
circumstances. Awareness of fundamental concerns of our common humanity is the first step
in understanding, empathy and action. Enhancing availability of information aims to enable
the general public to decide how they can demonstrate their concern, countering what the
Pope has termed “global indifference”.
Capacities
HDPI, Inc is a global network of some 50 humanitarians with a high level of global crisis
experience and expertise, and which functions as a think tank, innovation hub and service
provider in the humanitarian field. HDPI is teaming up with staff and students involved in
humanitarian courses at James Madison University and which will also support production,
and with the public radio station, WMRA a local partner and NPR affiliate.
Begin as a Pilot:
The period May to Dec 2025 will be considered a pilot period. The pilot will include – proof of
concept, production of at least 25 spots each for Did you know and Being Human. We aim to
test and pilot at least 25 reels, and establish a web platform (see draft Being Human , only
Address: HDPI 1394 Two Penny Drive, Rockingham Va. 22802 USA – Cell: 202-412-2550 – email: eressler@hdpi.org
www.https://hdpi.org/
available to project taskforce). The initial distribution of the radio spots will be through
WMRA, the NPR affiliated station for central Virginia; the ultimate goal is distribution more
broadly and to other networks. From the beginning the project will explore partnerships with
others, including with AmRef University in Nairobi Kenya.
Focus and parameters
The focus will be on the human experience in global crisis situations, the realities of families,
critical issues, and positive actions to aid them. The circumstances/perspectives of children
will be given particular consideration. The focus will be purely humanitarian – non-partisan –
aiming to generate awareness and empathy – focused on the most acute crisis situations
around the world but where possible linked to local efforts. It will not include specific fund-
raising requests, or recommend support of any specific organization. –
1 st ideas for a tagline –
“Be a humanitarian wherever you are”
“care – engage – empower – act”
Collaborating focal points
HDPI,Inc – Everett Ressler, Executive Director and Global Alert task force
James Madison University – Daniel Beers (Justice Studies), Taimi Castle (Center for
International Stabilization and Recovery)
WMRA and WEMC, Matt Bengey, Executive Director and General Manager
Budget/Finances – HDPI, Inc and JMU
Annexes
a. Initial task outline with tentative timeline
b. Tentative list of topics and crisis situations/countries
c. Theory of Change
d. Budget
Address: HDPI 1394 Two Penny Drive, Rockingham Va. 22802 USA – Cell: 202-412-2550 – email: eressler@hdpi.org
www.https://hdpi.org/
Annex a
Draft Notes: Initial Task Outline – 9 months
Initial Project design considerations
Collaboration of HDPI, JMU, WMRA
Topics defined
Develop concept for each topic
Identify situation, country, people group
Agree and develop tone and impact
-develop logo, choose music, create website, select voice
Research and story development
Desk research/data collection and identification of contacts
Story development, writing, editing and final approval
Production of radio spot
Pre-production – Designing the story, voice, music
Recording – with JMU studios
Distribution/airing – NPR, website, social media
Implementation [Draft for discussion]
Project Coordinators : Everett Ressler/HDPI, Daniel Beers/JMU,
Core Project team: Angela Raven-Roberts/Oxford, Peter Otieno/London, Carlo
Scaramella/Naples, Dan Maxwell/Boston, Daniel Beers/JMU/Harrisionburg, Va,
Phyllis and Everett Ressler/Harrisionburg, researchers and students, and with
support from HDPI’s global network of humanitarians
Project and production manager: Phyllis Ressler
Advisor to the project: Matt Bengey/WMRA
Content creation and review: Angela Raven-Roberts
Content editor for “Did you know?” – Carlo Scaramella ??
Global dissemination/social media: Peter Otieno
Researchers and story generation – project team
Recording – JMU, Jenna Polk (JMU Library, Media Production & Market Services)
Radio Broadcasting – WMRA – WEMC, Matt Bengey
Address: HDPI 1394 Two Penny Drive, Rockingham Va. 22802 USA – Cell: 202-412-2550 – email: eressler@hdpi.org
www.https://hdpi.org/
Draft Timeline (3 months)