The UN Chronicle

FYI - Film Your Issue
A Dialogue for a New Generation

By Jennifer B. Faubert

Through an innovative American film competition, members of a whole new generation are finding their voice and redefining how they see themselves. They are learning individually, as well as collectively, the difference they can make by taking a stand and impacting local, national and global dialogue. Researchers who chart this so-called "Generation Y" or the "millennials" describe this age group as natural leaders, idealistic, diverse and passionate about making a difference. They are also inclusive, working together to raise awareness not only among their own age group but also in both older and younger generations.

Despite this glowing assessment, statistics in many countries reveal that young adults are considered the least politically engaged members of society. In democratic nations, this is often evident by the percentage of voter turnout for young people, compared to that of their older counterpart. However, this does not quantify the immense contribution that many youth want to make to society. Reports suggest that university students and young adults alike are interested in shaping the world in ways they see as tangible. In fact, in many cultures they are volunteering at an all-time high and are active in the community at the grass-roots level.

Heathcliff Rothman of the United States, a journalist and social entrepreneur, was compelled to explore creative ways to inspire young people to empower themselves and engage in civic learning. One provocative idea he had was to have youth proactively take a stand in their lives and the world by documenting issues that move them through films. This development was the creation of a youth-oriented outreach called FYI - Film Your Issue. In an "issues-based" film contest, young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 years are invited to create 30 to 60 second live or animated films, which highlight a myriad of possible issues that impact human beings. The competition is currently only open to United States residents; however, in 2007, FYI is inviting foreign film entries.

The pursuit of FYI is multi-fold. Its primary vision is for the next generation of leaders to experience and comprehend the importance of human rights and the power that every individual carries. Participants are encouraged to highlight their diverse points of view and convictions. The 2006 films covered a wide range of issues, such as social disconnection, relations between First and Third World nations, disparaging stereotypes of the disabled, safe sex, beauty and body image, and sensationalism of fear in the media and government.

As a facilitator, FYI has created a platform for multilateral dialogues. Young adults are using their films as catalysts, spinning conversations and cross-fertilizing ideas between different generations, cultures and societies, hence promoting social awareness and well-being. It is also an important tool for youth throughout the world to connect, possibly increasing partnerships among future leaders, which may result in a peaceful cooperation among nations. While FYI has created a platform for self-expression and youth dialogue in the United States, other grass-roots organizations worldwide have created a framework for people to film issues that are important to them. Through the power of multimedia, these outreach programmes enable people to connect issues and solve human problems.

It is only through dialogue that partnerships between various groups can form. When older generations can share important communications with their younger counterparts, current leaders will empower youth to become leaders themselves and take ownership toward narrowing societal divides. In an open letter, displayed on the FYI website (www.filmyourissue.com), the Dalai Lama eloquently captures the nature of the FYI message: “I believe it is important that issues like working for peace in the world, preserving the natural environment and protecting human rights do not remain merely the business of older adults and that those of you who are still young should also be involved. … I urge all of you young people to whom this opportunity is addressed, to take it up and use it to create short films that will make a difference.”

Since its inception, FYI has gained recognition and received support from some of the world's largest companies, including not-for-profits and academic institutions. International leaders, as well as heads of major film studios and television, the Internet, music, publishing companies and prominent actors and journalists, are also actively involved, contributing their time and resources as FYI jurors and advisors. Young adults possess a social consciousness and clarity for understanding complex issues, as well as an inherent proclivity to become one of the greatest generations of our time.

"I see that every individual is a representative of humanity", said Scott Hamann, an FYI contest winner. An avid 25-year-old filmmaker from Maine, he produced "Ubuntu: Humanity" as an undergraduate. In an interview, Hamann stated that abject poverty, genocide and HIV/AIDS are the defining challenges of this generation. "My generation cares about the Third World; in our lifetime, we will have to get along with them. Terrorism is merely the symptom of our neglect". He also explained: "'Ubuntu' is an African word meaning, according to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 'a person is a person through other persons'. If you are suffering, I suffer. If you win, we all win. When we, as a country, advocate degradation or torture of other people, we degrade ourselves. The American Dream cannot be separated from the Human Dream." Clearly, this was Hamann's message in his film. "I couldn't begin to describe how this contest transformed my cynicism. FYI revived my idealism. It gave me a voice to share my beliefs with the media world", he concluded.

Through FYI, other young visionaries are utilizing their films to germinate social collaborative action and impact issues facing our societies. Tim Leaton, a vibrant 22-year-old university student from Virginia and also an FYI winner, shot his film "Orphans in Africa" while on a mission trip to Canaan Children's Home, an orphanage in Uganda. "I recently promoted the children at Canaan with the Los Angeles mayor on TV stations. It was an honour. FYI can give young people like me access to powerful media channels that we otherwise wouldn't have access to. This is what's so unique about FYI." Leaton further said: "It looks like a difference is being made. By creating just a one-minute film, I received so much positive feedback. There are many people contacting me, wanting information about the Canaan Orphanage, including offers to help the orphans." Inspired by the difference Leaton is making at Canaan, one of his fellow FYI contest winners donated her prize-a laptop-to the Orphanage. Leaton, whose film won him a paid summer internship at The Walt Disney Studios, said: "FYI showed me that, in fact, it is possible for anyone to make a difference, no matter whom you are or what you do. I've also learned that I don't give up without first giving my 100 per cent to anything. To really make an impact, you have to give it your all."

Benjamin Snow, a 19-year-old finalist, produced "Thumbs Down to Pity". This confident and outspoken community college student from Colorado has cerebral palsy. "It has always been important to me to try to help others understand some things about disability, namely, that it is a natural part of life, like the colour of your hair", Snow said. In his film, he was eager to reveal that the disabled usually have a higher quality of life than what is often portrayed in films and the media. Since the FYI competition, the American Labor Department and ten universities have requested copies of the film to use for training and teaching purposes. "I've gotten over 100 orders for copies of my film." Snow has also been invited to speak at a number of forums in 2006 and well into 2007.

In this era of information and technology, multimedia tools, such as films and the Internet, are becoming the preferred language of this generation. Organizations like FYI catch the zeitgeist of our youth and harness their insight and passion for making a difference. "Film is a great media outlet to cause social change within our society. It provides an opportunity for our culture to evaluate their behaviour and choose to make a difference for the better. It opens our eyes to many things that otherwise would be non-existent", stated 25-year-old Gabriel Veenendaal from Utah, one of the six winners of the FYI contest. His "Innocence Lost" is a film about child sexual abuse.

Storytelling is a powerful and ancient expression of humanity and the ontology of our race. All too often, culture and language are used to define, categorize or separate human beings from each other. However, the power of films moves beyond these barriers and transcends the human experience. Today's youth understand the impact and charisma of visual storytelling-they are shaped by it. Equipped with technological savvy and digital devices, such as video cameras, they express and canvass their views. The visibility of their films and messages is magnified through forums like FYI, which brilliantly access the Internet's power and speed of mass communications. According to Fred Block, a professor at the University of California, Davis: "It is not enough for a movement to have logic or justice, or even millions of people on its side-it has to be able to tell powerful stories."

Freedom of expression and communication are inherent umbilical lines of connection, and they lend relevancy to FYI. Being a vital civic movement, Film Your Issue, by its very nature, encourages its participants and facilitators to find their genius and greatness, and to evolve, connect, self-express and be the change they want to see. Self-expression and communication elucidate us; they are the bridge to understanding the world around us and finding our place in it. As tools with which we can create ourselves, our communities and each other, and ultimately generate our perceptions, they are great channels to freedom. When we speak out, we are empowered. Tolerating or ignoring a vital issue leaves us powerless and betrays who we really are, and this leads to a life lacking joy, peace of mind and the connection between self and society. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter".

However, taking a "stand" is something that inspires and strengthens us. When we choose to stand up for something we believe in, and when we commit to something bigger then ourselves, it is a courageous vision for the world and humanity. Taking a stand releases us from our fears and doubts and gives us the space to create. It allows us to navigate any obstacle, even through the seemingly impossible. Taking a stand is a great vehicle for stating intention and initiating action. Many of the FYI participants have taken a stand in search of a new paradigm of human coexistence. Young adults envision a bigger future for themselves, and have the confidence to manifest their dreams and futures, as contributing human beings.

Biography

Jennifer B. Faubert is a natural food chef and an avid conservationist. Her main passion, however, is leadership coaching, through which she enables other people to uncover the light of their greatness and forward this action to others.

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