Tag Archives: USA Pavilion

Avoiding the Disconnect of Connection

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This post was written by explorer, social entrepreneur, and environmental advocate Philippe Cousteau. Philippe co-founded EarthEcho International with his sister Alexandra with the purpose of empowering youth “to take action that restores and protects our water planet.”

Philippe Cousteau in the Great Barrier Reef (Photo credit: CNN)

Philippe Cousteau in the Great Barrier Reef (Photo credit: CNN)

Leaving the house in the morning I have a simple check list that usually starts, in order of importance, with my smart phone, tablet or laptop, wallet, and my keys. Okay, sometimes I forget a few things on my list. If I only leave the house with my phone, I am pretty much set for the day with work, schedule, entertainment, and access to my friends, family, and team anywhere in the world. I am connected; the world is in my hands… well, sort of. And then I remember something my grandfather Jacques Cousteau used to tell me – he firmly believed the only way to appreciate the amazing world we live in is to experience it firsthand, whenever and however we are able to do so. Today we all face a new and exciting dynamic – how do we balance the access and convenience of technology with hands-on experiences and relationships with nature that inspire action and change? Basically it is not about disconnecting; it is about making room in our busy lives for a deeper connection.

USA Pavilion Spokesperson Philippe Cousteau takes a photo with Student Ambassadors Brittany Alexander and Anne Clay at the evening reception in the Korea Pavilion of the United States National Day at the 2012 Yeosu World Expo, July 4th, 2012. (Official USA Pavilion 2012 Photo by Cathy Xie)

The good news is we do not have to give up one to achieve the other. From planning trips to coordinating a night out with friends, most of us have integrated our virtual and real worlds to some extent or another. I was reminded how powerful finding a balance between these two worlds can be through my work with USA Pavilion (www.pavilion2012.org) during Expo 2012 The Living Ocean and Coast in Yeosu, Republic of Korea. Many Global Conversations followers may be familiar with the forty American college students who represented the United States during the Expo as Student Ambassadors. They shared their experiences in people-to-people diplomacy with visitors from Korea and around the globe through blogs and social media platforms on a daily basis. However it was the beach cleanups, trips to community centers, schools, and daily interactions with thousands of visitors that left a lasting impact on the Student Ambassadors and the people they met. These experiences formed friendships, helped strengthen a bond between the people of two nations, and aided local communities through the Student Ambassadors’ volunteer efforts.

Philippe Cousteau diving in the Great Barrier Reef (Photo credit: CNN)

Philippe Cousteau diving in the Great Barrier Reef (Photo credit: CNN)

For me, the true adventure starts when we make the shift to that deeper connection of real world experiences and relationships. Passports, lengthy travel or the latest smart-tech not required; some of the most rewarding experiences can happen in your own backyard. Taking time out to go on a hike and reconnect with nature, volunteering with a nonprofit organization to work on community project, or getting a group of friends together to help a neighbor in need can be everyday adventures with positive impact.

I like to think of it this way – technology has the power

to inspire and engage; experiences have the power to change our world. They both have a place in our lives; it is just a matter of finding a balance that keeps you connected online and off.

This entry reflects the author’s personal judgments and does not represent the views of the United States Government or the Department of State.

Black Sand Beach Clean-up

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By Seo Yoon Ok, Student Ambassador at the USA Pavilion at the viagra price

t=”_blank”>Yeosu World Expo.

Four USA Pavilion Student Ambassadors cleaning up the Black Sand Beach in Yeosu, South Korea (Courtesy Photo).

Four USA Pavilion Student Ambassadors cleaning up the Black Sand Beach in Yeosu, South Korea (Courtesy Photo).

The first time we laid eyes on the Black Sand Beach, it saddened the four of us who had volunteered to help clean it up. The weather was gloomy and it had begun to rain by the time we had finished preparing and begun cleaning. Trash practically littered every speck of the beach. The emotional intensity of the task set before us was magnified by the rainy weather. Also, most of us were neither particularly passionate nor involved back home in protecting the environment. There have been several occasions in which I had volunteered to clean local highways, but I do believe that this particular activity struck each one of us more acutely. Participating in the Yeosu Expo and visiting many pavilions centered on the theme of the ocean have affected us more deeply than any of us expected. It has made us more conscious about our actions and, hopefully, has invoked a hidden passion for ocean conservation.

Cleaning the beach was a difficult task particularly because there were not many of us to help. However, what we lacked in numbers we made up for in spirit. By the time we had finished, we were all exhausted and each one of us had to return to the USA Pavilion in the afternoon to work a shift. Nevertheless, it was a heart-warming sight to see the once trash-littered beach in a better state than before. To have done our part in some way to protect the environment made us proud. I felt better knowing that my actions can effect change, no matter how small.

This entry reflects the author’s personal judgments and does not represent the views of the United States Government or the Department of State.