Applicants are now accepted for the 2007 Video Advocacy Institute, an intensive programme on integrating video advocacy in campaigns. Find out how to participate.

Reinforcing human rights advocacy through video—this is the goal of the 2007 Video Advocacy Institute (VAI).

VAI is currently seeking 25 to 30 qualified human rights advocates across the globe who will participate in an intensive and innovative programme that will teach them how to integrate video advocacy in their campaigns. The programme will run from July 15-27, 2007 in Concordia University’s Communication Studies Program and Documentary Centre, Montreal, Canada.

The training aims to increase the capacity of human rights defenders in using video in
their efforts to change practices, policies, and laws. Specifically, the program aims to:
- Hone participants' skills in the technical and strategic dimensions of using video in campaigns and advocacy, including camera skills, audiovisual storytelling, basic editing and effective approaches to strategic communication with a range of key human rights audiences;
- Assist participants to develop a plan to integrate video into a specific campaign or project that they can initiate upon completion of the training; and
- Provide participants with a collaborative environment for learning and a peer network to support video advocacy projects.

Staff members who advocate for the protection of human rights within an NGO or a community-based organisation as well as individual activists with a record of successful collaboration with human rights organisations, have experience working in the field and a passion for righting wrongs are welcome to apply.

Deadline for application in on March 25, 2007.

The 2007 Video Advocacy Institute is presented by WITNESS, an international human rights organisation that provides training and support to local groups to use video in their human rights advocacy campaigns. WITNESS helps broker relationships with international media outlets, government officials, policymakers, activists, and the general public to make video a viable tool to advocate for change.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit <http://www.witness.org/> for more details.