Fundamentals of Interactive Journalism

The United Nations was eerily quiet on the night it rang in its 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the east-side New York City headquarters. In one of the massive conference rooms decked with furnishings reminiscent of the Nuclear 50s, almost all the seats were empty.

A Universal Declaration without much fanfare. Photo by H'Rina DeTroy

But, instead of long, perfunctory speeches about promoting human rights, a screening of ten short films marked the 60th year of the Declaration. Perhaps the United Nations have hit upon a way to voice its good intentions as an instrument of diplomacy and accountability in global relations by relying on film makers to do what an entity like the UN can’t do as well — show instead of tell.

"A Water Tale" takes a place where there isn't any. Film by Francesco Jodice. Photo by H'Rina DeTroy

Obama’s victory is an example of how newer technologies can engage and fuel change. Here are a few ways to experience the UN Declaration with sound and visuals.

Afropop Worldwide collaborated with Amnesty International and others to present an hour-long online radio feature dedicated to the 60th year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, featuring Femi Kuti of Nigeria and other World music artists.

“Read” the Declaration via Youtube, backed by a simple beat and melody:

Last week citizens around the globe celebrations gathered to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

UN photo by H'rina DeTroy

From Pretoria to Paris panels, film showings, lectures and public ceremonies commemorated the signing of the historic document that enshrined theories of universal rights famously established in the French and American Revolutions.

At an event at the UN, and sponsored by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, ten short films were shown, each touching on one of the rights guaranteed in the Declaration. Mauritanian director Abderrahmane Sissako’s film is a mediation on dignity and justice. Finding working people going about their business in the market, in their cars, on their way from place to place, he asks them the film’s eponymous question: “C’est Quoi La Dignite?”

His respondents’ stares are arresting. Some look at the viewer with confusion,  others with defiance. “Why are you asking me,”one man demands. Though the lens of his camera, Sissako conveys the answer he seeks in the faces. This, he suggests, is what dignity looks like.

It was remarkable, and a not so subtle statement, of the UNHCHR’s concerns that among the international selection 2 of the 10 short films were from Israel/Palestine,  both addressing the absurdity of the Palestinian predicament. In A Boy, A Wall, A Donkey by Palestinian filmmaker  Hany Abu-Assad three young boys attempt to make a movie   using the only technology available: first a neighbor’s intercom, and later the surveillance cameras mounted on the Israel’s “security barrier.” When members of the IDF approach the boys in a speeding military vehicle, the boys do not run, but ask only “Where’s the tape?”

Israeli filmmakers Shira Geffen and Etgar Keret take a different approach. In their film What About Me? a magical realist take on the subject of crossing borders in the occupied territories, a Palestinian businessman is refused entry to Israel with his load of bananas, while his talking donkey is waived ahead. Like Sissako’s film, What About Me was selected to address the issues of dignity and justice in the  declaration.

Still by H'rina Detroy from the film What About Me?

Together the ten films offered a beautifully articulation of the strivings of a document that has shaped the way we think about ourselves and each other.