The tragedy of September 11,2001 revealed a pressing need for U.S. and Muslim youth to have more respect for, understanding of, and interaction with each other.

A USA Today / CNN/ Gallup poll taken in Muslim countries found that the "huge gulf between the West and Muslim nations ...remains deep...53% of respondents view the U.S. unfavorably." A similar poll taken in the U.S. found that "56% in the U.S. said they knew little or nothing at all about Muslim countries."

In response, iEARN-USA is launching The BRIDGE Project in April 2002 to:

• Assist 250 U.S. and Muslim schools to collaborate on academic, cultural, and community-action projects;
• Support meaningful dialogue between more than 100,000 students;
• Develop multilingual, practical classroom tools for educators;
• Disseminate print and Web-based publications produced by students;
• Train 1,250 teachers in Internet collaboration and project-based learning;
• Facilitate face-to-face interaction between U.S. and Muslim students.

PHOTO:Students at Sunnyside Elementary School in Pullman , Washington.