Asia Video Advocacy Project

The Asia Video Advocacy Project is facilitating the strategic and sustainable use of video in community-based and regional movements to challenge and change policies and projects driving forced displacement in Asia.  The integral Video Advocacy Project involves three components: a Workshop, a  Network and a Seed Fund. The Video Advocacy Workshop The Video Advocacy Workshop (VAW) was the inaugural event of the Asia Video Advocacy Project.  IAP, WITNESS, EarthRights International, Komas, and Chiang Mai University’s Unit for Social and Environmental Research convened this Workshop for displacement activists in Chiang Mai, Thailand in September 2008.  The VAW brought together a diverse and dynamic group of 15 activists from nine countries: Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, plus a facilitation team with members from the US, UK, Malaysia, Thailand, and India! Check out a video blog from the VAW on the WITNESS Hub. Watch completed videos from graduates of the Video Advocacy Workshop! During the workshop participants learned how to design and execute a strategic action plan to integrate video into their campaign work for development justice.  The workshop featured the internationally acclaimed methodology of WITNESS, the preeminent organization that trains human rights advocates and organizations globally in the use of video advocacy as a complementary tool in human rights campaigns. The Video Advocacy Network and Seed Fund Each graduate of the VAW is now working to complete and distribute their advocacy video to their target audience by October 2009.  The Video Advocacy Network and Video Advocacy Seed Fund are providing graduates with additional support to make this happen. The growing Video Advocacy Network, composed of individuals and popular communications organizations in the region, is facilitating ongoing communication among graduates and other skilled video activists and mentors internationally who are committed to using video for development justice.  The Video Advocacy Seed Fund will enable VAW graduates to apply for small grants to complete and distribute their advocacy videos.  Check out graduates completed videos here! The Video Advocacy Project and IAP's People’s Guide initiative are complementary educational initiatives which, together, help strengthen the capacity of people and communities in the Asia region to defend their homes and rights.