A progress report Design Canada Awards (Canada, 1980)

O n February 27, 2002, Secretary of State Colin Powell launched "After September 11: Images From Ground Zero,” a collection of photographs by noted photographer Joel Meyerowitz, at the U.S. Department of State. In his remarks, the Secretary said: “September 11th was a very personal experience for each of us. Each of us remembers where we were when we first learned of the attacks. Each of us remembers our initial chilling impressions and our response. These images remind me that our country, our people and our families are very precious and that we must do all we can to protect them from the scourge of terrorism.” Since that time, 22 sets of this timeless exhibit have been touring the world, traveling to 118 cities and 50 coun­tries. By the end of 2002 it will have been shown in 135 cities and 64 countries. The events of September 11, revisited in these images, have touched people around the globe—evoking reactions of anger, sorrow, incredulity, fear and mourning. We know this from news articles, guest book entries, pictures and emails generated by audiences worldwide. Only a sample of those reactions, a written tapestry of support for America, is included here. Joel Meyerowitz was granted unique access to Ground Zero to capture recovery efforts in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks on New York’s World Trade Center. Of the thousands of images he recorded, the 27 in this exhibition have shown audiences around the world the true human and physical dimensions of these acts against humanity. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and the Museum of the City of New York, which commissioned the photographer’s work, are presenting this pictorial exhibition. These memorable images remind people of the enormity of the terrorist attacks and the extraordinary nature of the recovery effort in New York City. What happened at Ground Zero was an event that touched all races, all ages, all nationalities, and all religions. It underscores— beyond any difference in cultures, beyond the need for transla­tion—- that terror is our common enemy. This traveling exhibit began as an idea in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, but an initiative of this worldwide scope required many champions. Secretary of State Powell believed in the project. His leadership made believers of many. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Charlotte Beers gave guidance and sup­port. The Bureau of Public Affairs and the Office of International Information Programs helped energize and focus attention on the exhibit. The interest and encouragement of the Assistant Secretaries and their colleagues in every regional bureau of the Department of State attracted the interest of our overseas missions. Finally, a very warm thanks to Congress for supporting Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs programs, our Chiefs of Mission at U.S. embassies throughout the world, their Public Affairs Officers and the public diplomacy teams who negotiated exhibition space, organized public activities centered on the exhibit, created opportunities for local press coverage, and ensured that the exhibit’s message reached people around the globe. ★ Patricia de Stacy Harrison, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs “But for those of us who lived through these events, the only marker we’ll ever need is the tick of a clock at the 46th minute of the eighth hour of the 11th day.” —George W. Bush, President of the United States

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