Kerry team: Fight violent extremism with 'television drama series'
By Pete Kasperowicz (@PeteKDCNews) • 3/23/16 5:56 PM
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/kerry-team-fight-violent-extremism-with-television-drama-series/article/2586687The State Department on Wednesday offered a grant worth up to $1.5 million to produce a "television drama series" aimed at "countering violent extremism among young people in contemporary Afghan society."
The U.S. mission to Afghanistan put out the grant offer.
"This grant will fund the development and broadcast of a television drama series in which young people grapple with everyday frustrations and lack of opportunity, while growing and learning through new experiences," the offer said.
"The drama will be grounded in reality, but will also contain compelling creative content (i.e. storytelling, resonant narratives, strong characters, sophisticated production, etc.)," it added. "In short, it will strive to be entertaining while challenging viewers to engage in critical thinking by placing characters in situations where they are faced with a choice: support universal values of tolerance and peace or be drawn into the dark world of extremism."
The grant explains further that the characters in the drama series will be "aspirational and will provide positive role models for young people facing similar dilemmas."
The federal government intends to promote the series through social media, and will award a grant for a 15-month period that could be extended for up to two years.
