DocuPeace Training Course: A New Way to Peacebuilding through Documentary Filmmaking

�� What is the DOCUPEACE project about? ��

The 21st century has already demonstrated that stories have an enormous influence on our behaviors. Corporations, politicians, and young people alike use visual media to capture our attention and deliver various types of content.

Activists, peacebuilders, youth workers, and all individuals who are passionate about making the world a better place can do the same! We can harness the power of visual media to convey nuanced messages, promote values like nonviolence, and even connect people from different sides of conflicts.

DOCUPEACE is a program designed for those who want to learn how to use documentaries to combat various forms of violence and promote a culture of peace.

The aim of the project is to equip 28 youth workers from 7 European countries with knowledge, competencies and practical experience in alternative tools of video making and documentary making that can be used to promote peace in Europe through local and international actions. 

Objectives of the project are:

• To foster the skill development and the active citizenship of youth workers through documentary filmmaking as a non-formal tool for making them changemakers to create awareness on the issues that they define as important and to foster peace through documentaries
• To equip youth workers with knowledge and skills of concepts to be acquainted with a peaceful conflict resolution such as non-violent communication skills, the culture of peace and peacebuilding, human rights
• To develop participants’ competencies on practical 101 tools in documentary filmmaking, particularly sensitive approach to the documentary character, and familiarize with the process of pre-production, production and postproduction
• To facilitate the process of designing at least 3 documentary projectswith synopsis, recording a series of 5 interviews with activists and designing 4 follow-up documentary script ideas to be implemented in the partner countries that will multiply the participant’s project-related skills
• To create a short remake of K. Kieślowski “Talking Heads” documentary and disseminate it through YPA network channels and the Momos Film production company
• To enhance the understanding of democratic values, civic engagement, and the impact on the lives of young people

To achieve these goals, participants will undergo two 6-day training sessions:

In Munich, Germany, the focus will be on peace and nonviolence. In collaboration with the local film school, participants will also be introduced to professional film equipment and learn the basics of videography.

In Mardin, Türkiye, the focus will shift to practical videography and documentary skills. Participants will work with an experienced documentary director and engage in extensive fieldwork.

When:
6–13 February 2024 [Munich, Germany] (including travel dates)
19–26 March 2024 [Mardin, Türkiye] (including travel dates)

IMPORTANT: WHEN APPLYING FOR THE PROJECT, YOU MUST COMMIT TO PARTICIPATING IN BOTH TRAININGS. PARTICIPATION IN ONLY ONE OF THEM IS NOT POSSIBLE.

�� This project is for you if you are:

• a youth worker interested in filmmaking and documentaries, an artist, activist, youth leader, young person, teacher, university student, human rights activist, staff, youth worker, professional involved in the education or training of youth;
• a youth worker who wants to enhance your teaching, training, and youth work skills by adding video-making tools to your toolkit;
• an active trainer in non-formal education, especially within a youth organization, engaged in youth work activities or working with an NGO, and you aim to raise awareness about contemporary challenges like i.e. climate change, migrations, and hate speech;
• a young video creator eager to develop your skills in peacebuilding and interested in sharing this knowledge as a youth worker;
• someone active in the youth field, taking a leadership role in various youth activities and programs within your organization and beyond;
• a young person who believes in positive changes in your community and who is passionate about addressing local issues committed to self-improvement, and actively seeks innovative solutions to social challenges;
• school teacher in art and humanities.

The project is open to 28 participants from 7 countries, aged between 18 and 35 years old. However, we won’t rule out participants from other age groups if they align with the project’s profile.

For more information, click here