I wanted to share a bit about our screening at BUILD PEACE 2014 and my short time taking in the Ignite sessions. First, big thanks to the organizers of BUILD PEACE for creating this venue for peacebuilders from around the world to convene, share and inspire. They also created time and space for our screening very short notice which is much appreciated.
Our first goal for the screening was to share the current rough cut with folks in the field and working to promote peace and development and to bring back some feedback from this niche audience. Thanks to everyone who wrote down their post screening thoughts and suggestions and for sharing during our Q&A. I am now getting back to the edit and this feedback will help us improve the film as we get closer to final cut.
I also had a goal to meet potential partners and learn more about the peace-tech community and networks to help us make plans to engage audiences, hold grassroots screenings and use the film to promote peace work in diverse contexts. These are ongoing conversations and we invite you to contact us with ideas and questions about using the film to advance peace, development and human rights.
It was great meeting folks Saturday morning and taking in over 20 Ignite presentations. Not only had I never heard of Ignite sessions, I had not heard about the many grassroots and important initiatives to promote peace work globally. Some presentations rreally esonated with me and the film message – especially the grassroots mAVU media work of Interpeace in partnership with PDRC and the use of SMS and crowd mapping by Search for Common Ground in Nigeria. There were so many other inspiring, important presentations – all only 5 minutes! Other themes focused on youth engagement and advocacy, tech for civic education, social media tools for peace, storytelling in post conflict communities, and uses of big data to better understand conflict. An important takeaway from many Ignite presenters is one highlighted in PEACE IN OUR POCKETS – technology is just a tool, grassroots engagement and deep connections with organic leaders is essential.