Harry Belafonte, International Goodwill Ambassador, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

Harry Belafonte's Keynote Address at IFP Envision from IFP on Vimeo.

Susan Chira, Foreign Editor, The New York Times, Afternoon Keynote Address at IFP Envision

Kiyo Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, United Nations

It's A Wrap!

Thank you to all the remarkable panelists, filmmakers and attendees who spent Saturday at “Envision: Addressing Global Issues through Documentaries.” We could not be more thrilled with the response, conversations and creative connections that were made by participants who came together to explore how to achieve universal education that is accessible and of high quality.

We will be reporting on the panels and outcomes in the coming days, but if you want to stay involved, please join our Envision list at envisionfilm.org. We'll be posting photos and videos this week, so that those who could not attend can still benefit from the conversation. In the interim, links to a couple pieces that were posted from the event here and here.

On behalf of the IFP and the United Nations Department of Public Information, thank you for your participation and support!

HARRY BELAFONTE, UNICEF GOODWILL AMBASSADOR TO KEYNOTE ENVISION

You heard it first here: UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte will be the keynote speaker at the second annual "Envision: Addressing Global Issues through Documentaries" forum focusing on the UN’s Millennium Development Goal of achieving universal primary education on Saturday July 10^th at TheTimesCenter, 242 West 41^st in New York City.

Belafonte has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 1987, and is known worldwide for his accomplishments as a recording artist and concert singer, as an actor and producer, and for his commitment to human rights. He has campaigned tirelessly for the rights of children and has been a long-time champion of abolishing primary school fees in developing nations, reducing HIV/AIDS. Belafonte received the US National Medal for the Arts, and has been widely recognized for his humanitarian work. Find his full bio here, his urging an end to school fees in Africa here and an MSNBC discussion about the importance of supporting education in developing countries here. For more about the Goodwill Ambassador program go here.

See you at the forum!

Profiles on the Impact of User-Generated Media

Envision’s panel “Telling Their Own Stories: The Individual as Documentarian and The Impact of User-Generated Media” is sure to answer questions and spark new ideas in the advancement of storytelling and documentaries—particularly in the realm of citizen journalism, human rights and ever important to filmmakers, audience building. Today’s blog is highlighting the work that our participating organizations are doing. Learn so much more by attending Envision Saturday July 10, 2010 at TheTimesCenter in New York City. Can’t make it? Follow the conversation on twitter by following @ifpenvison or searching #ifpenv.

Breakthrough

“Bringing Human Rights Home” is the key message of Breakthrough, an international human rights organization that works to transform public attitudes within equality, justice and dignity. This organization works through initiatives in India and the US to address various global issues. Breakthrough used the power of online gaming to educate players as seen in Nina Burnstein’s article Death of Detained Immigrant Inspired Online Game with the Goal of Educating Players. This game includes details and a moderately violent portrayal of the hardships of being detained. Breakthrough used this media campaign to “galvanize young people by using the new tools of popular culture to put them in the shoes of legal and illegal immigrants.” Mallika Dutt, Breakthrough’s Founder and Executive Producer, will be on the “Telling Their Own Stories” panel at Envision this Saturday. Information about Breakthrough can be found by clicking here.

Video Volunteers

Jessica Mayberry, founding director, will be representing Video Volunteers at Envision. After working in television in New York and volunteering in India as a teacher in filmmaking, Mayberry came to the realization that covering international news domestically was a one-sided and US-focused issue. At the same time, she found that many young people were creating their own films with low-cost camera and she decided to make a film that eventually transformed into the education of filmmaking in India. A conversation about Mayberry’s transition into film education can be found here and the Video Volunteers website can be found at www.videovolunteers.org.

WITNESS

WITNESS will be represented at Envision by panelist and Asia Program Manager Ryan Schlief. Founded by Peter Gabriel, Witness is most notably known for their collaborations and partnerships with individuals and communities to defend and uphold human rights. Peter Breuch from St. Thomas Magazine wrote about Schlief and his work with Witness here.

World Without Walls

World without Walls is an organization based on the fundamental idea that cameras and questions move from one acquaintance to another across the globe. This ideology transformed into a major partnership with the United Nation’s Millennium Campaign and BBC World News. Executive Producer, John Kennedy will represent the organization, and discuss how they acquired candid footage from regular people in each and every UN member nation. Info here. Additional Video’s about the work of Kennedy and World Without Walls can be found here.

UNICEF

UNICEF works to help children survive and thrive in over 150 countries and territories globally. They are the world’s largest vaccine provider and supports child health and nutrition, safe water, equal quality education, and the protection from violence, exploitation and AIDS. Karen Cirillo, Executive Producer of Children’s Broadcasting Initiatives, will be representing the organization. UNICEF also awards organizations that strive to make the lives of children better as seen in the article China and Ghana broadcasters win 2008 International Day of Broadcasting Awards.

A Global Conversation on Quality Education For All. Will you Join Us?

There are few greater pleasures for an organization than to present a program at the zeitgeist of a global conversation. Filmmakers, too, revel in presenting stories that reach the height of cultural relevance. The IFP and UN DPI’s Envision program is facilitating both at our July 10^th forum addressing global issues through documentaries.

Envision’s screening of Academy-Award winning director Davis Guggenheim’s WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” has been generating significant discussion since its launch at Sundance in January. Envision has convened leaders in the field representing an array of policymakers, educators, and activists, including film subjects and representatives from the Center for American Progress, Sangari Global Education Institute, Citizen Schools, and the Chancellor’s office of the DC Public School System.

Just last week, American Federation of Teachers President and film subject Randi Weingarten responded to a Huffington Post review of WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” by Blaise Nutter with her own Huff Post missive. This exchange pivoted off a recent screening of WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” where she participated in a Q&A with film subject and DC School Chancellor Michelle Rhee as discussed here.

It’s clear there is much to be said on both sides of this issue, and we’re proud to be showcasing this game changing film and discussion. Can’t be at the event but want to participate remotely? Follow us on twitter at @IFPEnvision, post your questions with #ifpenv, or sign up for our Envision mailing list here.