CONTENT TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION
ECW Case
Education Cannot Wait is an international fund of the United Nations, administered by UNICEF, to address education in emergencies and protracted crises.
In Colombia, ECW is implemented through the collaboration of multiple organizations working together.
This project aimed to showcase the impact of this collaborative effort on the lives of girls, boys, and adolescents benefiting from ECW initiatives in Colombia.
Content featuring minors must be approached with responsibility and a commitment to protecting their identity and rights.
The video production needed to showcase the addressed needs and the real impact of the work carried out by the organizations involved in the ECW program: Norwegian Refugee Council, Plan International, Save the Children, UNICEF, and World Vision.
In Colombia, there are girls, boys, and adolescents for whom going to school is not an easy task.
Therefore, the video had to demonstrate the results of the implemented actions by the organizations, include testimonials from beneficiaries, and ensure equitable representation of all participating organizations.
WHAT SHOULD THE CONTENT ACHIEVE?
To show the positive impact of the actions of the “Education Cannot Wait” program in Colombia and sensitize the audience about the need for the program’s continuity.
The goals were to::
1
To show the impact of the program on girls, boys, and adolescents while protecting their identity and rights
2
To gather key testimonies that provide a comprehensive view of the program's impact as much as possible.
3
To showcase the different areas of action of the program.
4
To achieve a smooth and understandable narrative by connecting different contexts, actions, and individuals.
5
To provide equal treatment in terms of gender, regions, and organizations.
The pre-production was carried out in collaboration with all the organizations involved. During this stage, potential testimonies, locations, voiceover narration, statistics on the issue and the program’s reach, among other details, were considered.
It was a process where communication and shared working tools played a fundamental role.
While time is often a pressure factor in all content projects, having multiple opinions and approvals from all organizations posed a greater challenge. Therefore, effective communication and collaborative work in the pre-production phase were vital to ensure alignment for the production phase.
During the filming sessions, minors were always accompanied by a guardian or teacher, and the production team had the constant presence of staff from the organizations.
Girl in Colombia
Being in contact with different realities and witnessing the efforts of children to learn is inspiring.
Boy in Colombia
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the educational processes of thousands of girls and boys in Colombia.
HOW DID WE TEAM-UP WITH ECW COLOMBIA?
We established constant dialogue to channel all the requirements and expectations of each of the different organizations.
We utilized our full creative and operational capacity to meet the expected deadlines and quality.
Additionally, at Doinmedia, we have always had a special dedication to projects related to the well-being of children. It is a topic that touches our hearts, and we feel deeply grateful to be able to participate and contribute our expertise.
THE RESULT
In projects that document real life, it is common to encounter situations that change the original plans and either facilitate or complicate the production process. In this case, we experienced some unexpected and emotional moments during the filming. One of those moments was the graduation day of one of the protagonists. Although unplanned, we seized the opportunity to add an even more emotional touch to the video.
Lessons learned
it is important to plan as thoroughly as possible. However, it is equally crucial to remain open to changing course during production without losing sight of the objective.
Respectful and fluid communication among all parties involved is essential. When in doubt, it is better to ask.
We should always approach different life stories with empathy, connecting so that the camera doesn’t become a wall but rather a bridge.
The guidance and direction should always be done taking into account the will of the person as well as the objective of the video. Sometimes, it’s a challenge to connect both aspects, but success lies in efficient and rigorous pre-production.
Every effort to improve the living conditions and access to rights of our girls, boys, and adolescents should be known, valued, and supported. Progress is being made, but there is still work to be done.
Education is the best opportunity for the new generations.
The work of five organizations coming together, pooling their efforts and resources for a common cause, was inspiring for us.
Working as a team is not easy, but it brings greater benefits and allows us to go much further.