Via The Sex Workers Empowerment Project — a video advocacy training in partnership with WITNESS, for sex worker rights’ advocates will be held on May 8th in New York City.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
(video from WITNESS training with sex worker advocates in Macedonia)
The Sex Workers Empowerment Project (SWEP) and $pread Magazine are working with WITNESS to put together a full-day training on video advocacy, specifically for sex worker organizing and advocacy. This training will provide participants with a range of effective strategies for using video in their human rights documentation and advocacy, including a basic overview of filming and video editing. The training focuses on three types of projects:
(1) Setting up a “cop watch” program: Includes effectively utilizing video to present to UN treaty bodies in order to pressure responsible parties to take action to stop abuse by police.
(2) Incorporating video in legislative advocacy: Includes streaming video on the internet as part of advocacy campaigns and presenting focused, action-oriented video to key decision makers.
(3) Story-telling documentary: using video as a grassroots educational tool or as a fundraising tool.
WHO: Sex Worker advocates and organizers
WHEN: 9am – 4pm, Friday May 8th at the BAM conference center in Brooklyn. Lunch provided (with vegan-friendly options).
COST: $20 (covers the basic costs– use of facilities, lunch, etc.). If someone would like to attend and cannot afford the $20, please contact EmailSWEP@gmail.com
THERE IS A LIMITED SPACE. Please rsvp to EmailSWEP@gmail.com if you plan to come. Your input about what else might be useful to learn or incorporate in this training would be greatly appreciated. Please include any and all suggestions in your RSVP. Thank you!
More About the Training:
The workshop will include presentations around the WITNESS methodology and case studies of WITNESS’ partners’ work, as well as opportunities for participants to share their own ideas and experiences with effective video use. Interactive and small group exercises will help participants develop ideas for using video in their human rights work. The objective will be for all participants to leave with an expanded sense of the possibility for using video in their advocacy in different venues, and concrete ideas specific to their issues and work area. The training will also include how to use the WITNESS HUB. The HUB is an interactive community for human rights, where folks can upload videos, audio or photos. Over 35,000 individuals view uploads to the site.
About WITNESS:
WITNESS uses the power of video to open the eyes of the world to human rights abuses. By partnering with local organizations around the globe, WITNESS empowers human rights defenders to use video to shine a light on those most affected by human rights violations, and to transform personal stories of abuse into powerful tools of justice. Over the past decade, WITNESS has partnered with groups in more than 60 countries, bringing often unseen images, untold stories and seldom heard voices to the attention of key decision makers, the media, and the general public — catalyzing grassroots activism, political engagement, and lasting change. For more information, visit www.witness.org.
Filed under: $pread, Activism, Human Rights, Social Media, Video |
Bound, Not Gagged 
“Setting up a “cop watch” program: Includes effectively utilizing video to present to UN treaty bodies in order to pressure responsible parties to take action to stop abuse by police.”
This is an excellent idea. Do we have alliances with Cop Watch? Here’s a link to more information about Cop Watch: http://www.copwatch.com/ … and a video produced by Cop Watch http://www.mediathatmattersfest.org/films/copwatch .