We are proposing to train a group of 10 youth in digital video and photography media tools, to create and experiment with different formats such as documentary and self-portrait styles. Through our series of workshops we will support the youth to explore, critique and shape a relevant social message. The project will involve learning about different kinds of media distribution strategies, including social media and community exhibitions.
Topical focus:
Country:
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
Ulaanbaatar
Describe the specific community with whom you will be working.
We work with marginalized youth that are involved in or at high risk of child labor. Many of these children have dropped out of school, have experienced abuse and have left their homes to survive on the street. We want to work with them because even though Mongolia is becoming richer because of its mining boom, the government does not see the remaining poverty of 30% of its population as a priority for its spending.
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
Initially we will provide the following scaffold “If you had five minutes to say something to the world, what would it be?” We aspire to be very participatory in our approach to working with youth using media. In this case, we cannot always predict where the project will take us but we will give training, guidance and mentorship. But they will take the lead in shaping the content, audience and purpose of their final product.
What technologies and digital tools do you plan to use in the trainings?
Describe the connections that you or your organization have already established that will contribute to the success of the project.
We have participated in two projects with Adobe Youth Voices which has helped develop the skills in our youth workers to effectively engage with the young people that we work with– by empowering them to use technology to explore and express issues that are important to them. Our workers have continued access to guidance and resources from the Adobe Essentials. We have also partnered with Akosia in 2012 in which 25 youth were trained in filming.
How many participants do you think will be involved in your project?
We will train 10 people in our project. We will ask for interest from the young people that come to our community centre. In selecting 10 people, our future vision after the project is finished is for those chosen 10 youth to then share those skills with other young people, as peer media educators with the continued support of our organization.
Besides the microgrant funding, what other resources and support are you seeking for your project to ensure its success?
Rising Voices can support our project by spreading the reach of our young people’s message, by publishing the product on their website and recommending other avenues in which our message can spread to other parts of the world. We would look forward, in turn, to learning about the youth media projects of other countries, and to be able to connect across international borders.
Contact name
Brigid Hennessy
Organization
Children and Young People's Protection and Development