May 2022 Update from IRIS
In this newsletter: a new report launched for #saferstorytellers
Still in early stages, IRIS is now building out its structure which is envisioned to create and amplify interdisciplinary story and narrative-centered exchanges between grassroots to regional to national and international networks. This month’s introduction features the initial work of IRIS’ Regional Lead for Latin America, Graciela Selaimen.
On solid footing in Latin America
Graciela is swiftly building IRIS’ Latin American portfolio. The Latin America Program of the Open Society Foundations is working with IRIS to further develop and refine approaches to supporting narrative and storytelling-centered strategies within the region. Together with the Foundation’s staff, Graci initiated an ongoing dialogue among key field leaders to spark future collaborations. In April, we arranged the first online conversation between civil society organizations, IRIS and the Latin America Program team around narrative change for social justice.
To set the tone of the event, IRIS’ Narrative Lead Brett Davidson presented an overview of narrative change frameworks and impacts to engage the curiosity of the attending civil society organizations. Graciela facilitated a rich conversation welcoming participants to reflect on their role within a broad narrative ecosystem. Multiple ideas emerged, experience was shared and all the organizations converged on the willingness of continuing connections and networking. At the end of June, this group will convene again to discuss the importance of listening to audiences. The knowledge gained with the Open Society Foundation’s initiative will benefit the larger IRIS donor pool as well as the growing international debates around narrative, story and impact strategies.
Latest blogs: Narrative Emergency Kit and Covid-19’s Role in Collective Narrative
IRIS Narrative Lead Brett Davidson offers a Narrative Emergency Kit as he ponders how we should prepare for the next crisis. Brett draws particular attention to hidden narratives in the context of the unfolding crisis in Ukraine, including racist narratives about African migrants. While we rely on familiar stories to understand the ongoing events, nuance and complexity take a backseat in the overall discourse.
In his latest blog, Brett looks at the global pandemic and our expectations for how stories should play out. In "Covid-19 and the yearning for a collective narrative," Brett takes up three recent reports suggesting that a narrative failure partly explains the difficulty in mounting a unified public response to the virus.
Norway-bound!
Limited travel is beginning again, and Team IRIS is getting ready to take part in a week of activities in Norway with our partner Mimeta. Several team members will attend the inaugural World Expression Forum WEXFO in Lillehammer, Norway on May 30-31 and co-host a panel with International Cities of Refuge (ICORN) and PEN America. The discussion is “Landscapes of Protection for Artists at Risk,” featuring human rights and independent media expert Peter Noorlander, the lead author of a recent report on Strengthening Safety and Security Resources for Visual Storytellers and Journalists.
You can see the report on a new microsite, co-hosted with the Rory Peck Trust: SaferStorytellers.org. The report’s striking visuals were produced by our friends at In-House International. It has a particular focus on Central and South America, and its recommendations offer a set of guiding principles for storytellers, civil society groups and funders.
#saferstorytellers
Later in the week, Mimeta and IRIS will gather with the Arab Cultural Donors Network with a group of MENA arts and culture grantees, after which IRIS will lead a workshop with MENA arts and culture organizations called ‘The Story of the Story.’ Here the goal is to support new approaches to telling the story of each organization’s mission and goals. The week will end with retreats for Mimeta and IRIS.
East and West Africa Initiatives
RIS is embarking on two projects centered in Kenya with our donor partners. The first will research the policy and regulatory landscape and support new storytelling around access to holistic healthcare for young people. At the same time, in a related project in Kenya and Sierra Leone, IRIS is working closely with the Sierra Leone-based group Purposeful to co-create a year-long fellowship for young feminist girls and non-binary youth that will build their visual storytelling skills towards greater community impact. Finally, IRIS is in the early stages of discussing with East Africa-based tech and storytelling experts to imagine new ways of building capacities for narrative and storytelling among grass-roots civil society groups.
Welcome new team members: Researcher Carol Misorelli and Events & Outreach Specialist Zuhé González Romagosa
IRIS is happy to have onboard Carol Misorelli, who is supporting IRIS' research efforts in Latin America, as part of our partnership with Open Society Foundations. Carol is an experienced social mobilizer, facilitator and researcher, working for more than ten years with civil society organizations, social movements and philanthropic institutions in Latin America. Zuhé González Romagosa joins IRIS this month to support convenings and events which are ramping up for IRIS. Zuhé has spent the last fifteen years creating, leading, and consulting for social impact organizations and initiatives focused on youth, women and girls.