Multimedia

Sheldon Himelfarb, associate vice president of USIP’s Center of Innovation for Media, Conflict and Peacebuilding, on July 29, 2009 talks about the power of the media in peacebuilding, efforts to win hearts and minds in conflict zones, the Peace Media Clearinghouse online resource, and USIP’s research and projects to improve America’s public diplomacy and media outreach.

Salam Shabab is the TV-special/documentary of 30 Iraqi youth (ages 14-18) from across the country brought together to participate in activities aimed at supporting a new and growing community of young Iraqis committed to peacebuilding.

Nowhere is the media landscape changing more dramatically than in the news business. Newspapers and foreign news bureaus are dwindling, while other information sources are exploding with the rise of the internet, the citizen journalist, and social networking.  This panel discussed and considered recommendations designed to leverage the new news business for improved global conflict prevention.

There’s no doubt that stories can make a difference—whether it’s a radio drama for girls education in Afghanistan, a TV soccer soap opera in Kenya sparking cross-ethnic dialogue, or documentary like An Inconvenient Truth pushing climate change to the fore.  This panel considered how to amplify the potential of documentary and narrative film to help bridge inter-group conflicts, and looked at innovative new models for supporting storytelling that produces positive social change. 

This panel will explored recommendations for deepening our commitment to developing next generation peacebuilders when digital media platforms are driving skyrocketing media consumption among youth globally.

Ambassador Richard Solomon, president of the U.S. Institute of Peace, delivers opening remarks at "Seizing the Moment: Media & Peacebuilding," the third in a series of events hosted by the Center of Innovation for Media, Conflict and Peacebuilding titled "Media as Global Diplomat."

President and Chief Executive Officer of Independent Television Service (ITVS), Sally Jo Fifer, delivers opening remarks at "Seizing the Moment: Media & Peacebuilding," the third in a series of events hosted by the Center of Innovation for Media, Conflict and Peacebuilding titled "Media as Global Diplomat." ITVS is a co-host of this event.

Welcome and Framing the Day by Sheldon Himelfarb - On February 3, 2009, USIP joined International Television Service (ITVS) to convene Media as Global Diplomat, a day-long conference that brought together many of the top thinkers in U.S. public diplomacy and strategic communication with independent film and media producers to identify innovative paths forward in the increasingly important effort to improve mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through communication and media.

Session 3: Framing Women and War through Media, Film, and Music
“Framing Women and War through Media, Film, and Music” is a moderated dialogue with Patricia Mitchell, and focuses on the role of media, film, and music in depicting a myriad of roles women play in peacebuilding. Speakers include Abigail Disney, Filmmaker, Philanthropist, Producer of the film “Pray the Devil Back to Hell,” Founder of Fork Films; Agnes M. Fallah-Kamara Umunna, Journalist and Radio Producer, Executive Director and Founder of Straight from the Heart Project; Morley, Composer and Singer; Femke van Velzen, Filmmaker, Philanthropist, Producer of the film “Weapon of War,” Co-Founder of IF Productions; and Sheldon Himelfarb, Director, Center for Science, Technology, & Peacebuilding, USIP.