Connected Minds launched the 2002 pilot program by connecting students worldwide with great success. Volunteers from communities in Bulgaria, Canada, Japan, Romania, and the United States were recruited and trained to help facilitate the program in their local schools.

Through the evaluation process, Connected Minds realized measured benefit in the area of cultural curiosity to teachers and students. Teachers benefited from utilizing the comprehensive curriculum guide to present complex and sensitive cultural issues in their classrooms. Most importantly, students demonstrated increased levels of global curiosity after completing the program.

The curricula development team utilized the UNICEF three-step global learning methodology of exploration, responding, and action. This methodology encourages students to think critically while forming their own views and opinions.

The 2002-03 collaboration between Connected Minds and Project Harmony completed with astounding success, as students from sixty U.S. schools communicated regularly with students from sixty-nine Armenian and Azerbaijani schools. Education World rated the content of the program as “A+”, the highest possible rating. You can imagine how thrilled we were.

Collaboration between Project Harmony and Connected Minds has continued through 2004. For example, we’ve developed a set of lesson plans regarding the history of conflict between Iraq and the United States. Students from the United States, Armenia and Azerbaijan analyzed the history of the conflict using a methodology for conflict resolution presented in the Connected Minds curriculum. Then students offered insight and suggestions for resolving the conflict. Their ideas for resolution were nothing short of genius and have proved our collaboration to be an ultimate success.

Connected Minds is about people. Our volunteer staff and directors are among the brightest and most dedicated people, from many diverse backgrounds and industries.

At Connected Minds we build cultural awareness, starting within our organization. We are people with diverse backgrounds, race, ethnicities, religions, ideas and occupations. While we are based in New York, Connected Minds consists of volunteers around the world that share our vision. Each Connected Minds' volunteer brings their unique background to enrich our program. We’re always looking for passionate people to join the growing Connected Minds family.