Dignified Storytelling Forum narrates stories that could change the world

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Representing the UAE’s commitment to leading a new global movement that hopes to reshape the practice of storytelling, specifically within humanitarian and development contexts, more than 25 leading voices convened under one roof at the Dignified Storytelling Forum (DSF) recently, to champion the importance of telling stories with deep respect, full transparency and social responsibility. The Forum, with the theme ‘A story can change the world’, opened in the presence of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).

The event, which took place at the Dubai Exhibition Center at Expo 2020 Dubai, was launched with welcoming remarks by Dr Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of Dubai Cares, and opening remarks from Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai. It welcomed more than 700 participants (in-person and virtually), and also witnessed the launch of the Dignified Storytelling Handbook.

The handbook provides ‘how-to’ guidance on applying the 10 DSF Principles, and is accompanied by a series of stories illustrating the Principles in practice. It can be accessed on www.dignifiedstorytelling.com. A summarised version was made available for participants attending the Forum. Participants were also encouraged to take the Dignified Storytelling Pledge as an advocacy tool aiming to build momentum for the initiative by expanding the network of advocates and practitioners.

The Pledge commits organisations and individuals to positive social change, by being mindful of the manner and context of the stories they share. Al Hashimy said: “In the UAE, our striving for human dignity for all can be traced back more than 50 years, to our inception as a nation, one infused with the values and vision of our Founders.

“More than 100 individuals, in their role as Alliance Members representing international development agencies, INGOs, NGOs, foundations, charities, corporations, universities, and media companies as well as freelance photographers and videographers, have inspired us with their tenderness and tenacity, their strength, their clarity and their insistence on the value of open communication and full explanation, so that we are able to minimise risk in the way that stories are told.” Al Gurg said: “The practice of storytelling, if not approached with sensitivity and care, runs the risk of putting contributors in mental and physical danger, as well as limits their rights and ultimately creates inequitable systems.

“The Dignified Storytelling initiative was launched with an aim to address these issues and enable professionals working in the humanitarian and development contexts to tell stories with dignity. “I urge everyone involved in this space to always remember that a story can truly change the world; so let’s contribute to changing the world by changing how we tell our stories.” The Forum’s agenda featured high-level speakers from diverse sectors who shared best practices as well as viable content, stressing the importance of embedding Dignified Storytelling in policy and practice at individual and country levels.

The key objective was to empower the role of the storyteller to include individuals and organisations from all industries, where they will have developed deep respect around storytelling by sharing their experiences in an ethical and socially responsible manner. Participants also enjoyed an immersive poetry performance by Chief Moomen, Ghanaian poet, playwright and creative entrepreneur, who brought to life the Dignified Storytelling Principles using real life examples and stories, in addition to a special appearance by Michael Aboya, Winner of the 2019 Agora Award, who announced the launch of the 2022 World Agora Awards in collaboration with DSF. Speakers at the Forum’s main programme included Maher Nasser, Commissioner-General of the UN at Expo 2020 Dubai and the Director of Outreach Division in the UN Department of Global Communications; Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM); Rashid Al Falahi, UAE Chief Storyteller and Member of Dignified Storytelling’s Advisory Committee; Dr Rebecca Swift, Senior Director and Global Head of Creative Insights, Getty Images; Rocco Blume, Head of Advocacy, WarChild UK; Joung-Ah Ghedini-Williams, Head of Global Communications at UNHCR; Nassib Boueri, CEO, Wunderman Thompson MENA; Elisabetta Lattanzio Illy, Journalist and Photographer (UNIDO Goodwill Ambassador); John Hecklinger, CEO, Global Fund for Children; Gwen Hines, CEO, Save the Children UK; Tracey Corbin-Matchett, CEO, Bus Stop Films; Valentina Castellani-Quinn, award winning film producer, President and Chairman, Quinn Studios Entertainment, and Waleed Shah, photographer, among others.

Boueri said: “Within our ever changing world and technology crossing all barriers in deploying information, the only constant that we strive for is the integrity of the story and maintaining the dignity of those involved.” Castellani-Quinn said: “Drawing from my own personal experiences and having transformed tragedies in my life as winning experiences that others can be inspired from, the theme of Dignified Storytelling Forum ‘A story can change the world’ resonates deeply with me. “Content and entertainment are the most powerful platforms to convey an idea and create change in society, because our human connection creates a bridge towards universal unity. “I believe the Forum and the 10 principles of Dignified Storytelling that form its nexus, will give rise to a lasting movement in the global storyteller community to tell stories responsibly, inclusively and respectfully.”

Since its inception in 2007, Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has been working for providing children and youth in developing countries with access to quality education through the design and funding of programmes, that aim to be impactful, sustainable and scalable. To date, it has launched education programmes reaching over 20 million beneficiaries in 60 developing countries.