Search for Common Ground Update
October 2005

Search for Common Ground - Nestle Partnership in Nigeria
Recognized by Former President Bill Clinton
at Clinton Global Initiative

Last month in New York City, 40 heads of state and almost 1,000 religious, business and nonprofit leaders came together at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) for three days of in-depth discussions in an effort to address and seek solutions for the world's critical issues: extreme poverty, climate change, problems in governance, and religion as a source of conflict. The talks concluded with the announcement of "commitments" totaling $1.25 billion in pledges for specific initiatives that address these global problems.

Described as "Davos with a difference," Clinton said this is just the beginning. The former president's goal is to secure between 500 to 1,000 commitments to action each year. If this can be sustained for a decade he believes "we can make a huge dent in some of the world's biggest problems."

Clinton singled out the commitment from Nestle to fund Search for Common Ground's TV drama series in Nigeria, and invited SFCG President John Marks and Klaus Wachsmuth, Managing Director of Nestle Nigeria PLC, to the stage to recognize this model of corporate and NGO partnership for effecting positive social change.

Search for Common Ground TV Series in Nigeria
SFCG is currently producing two TV series in Nigeria. Our aim is to promote inter-ethnic tolerance and respect, and to encourage non-violent resolution of conflict. The Station is a 26-part drama about the adventures of a multi-ethnic, multi-religious group of Nigerian TV reporters - Yorubas, Hausas, Ibos, and others - working together as a news team to cover Nigeria's most pressing problems, such as AIDS and corruption, through the prism of finding common ground. The series focuses on socially relevant themes through entertaining soap opera drama that will appeal to large audiences. The initial production is a 20-part reality series called The Academy, which is intended to build an audience for The Station. The Academy is centered on a nationwide talent search leading to the final selection of the cast for The Station. Over 50,000 applicants answered the open casting call. Both series will be aired on Nigerian national TV, with the direct support of President Obasanjo.

The scripts were written by Nigerian writers who worked within a common ground framework. Both reality TV series and the drama series will be aired on Nigerian national television, with the direct support of President Obasanjo.

We have the power to do more
At the end of the extraordinary three days, Clinton said in his closing comments, "I asked you here because I think that all of us have an unprecedented amount of power to solve problems, save lives and help people see the future. I hope you will leave here with a sense of humility about how much better we could do. We are so arrogant because we are obsessed with the present. I've reached an age now where it doesn't matter whatever happens to me. I just don't want anybody to die before their time anymore."

To read more about this story please visit our website www.sfcg.org.