Photography has the power to transcend borders, capture the essence of humanity, and provoke reflection on the challenges facing our world.
"Witnessing a Way Forward: Protecting Lives. Building Peace", a photo exhibition by Giles Duley, the UN's first Global Advocate for People with Disabilities in Conflict and Peacebuilding, will open on International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on 4 April at UN Headquarters.
The exhibition explores the realities faced by people with disabilities in conflict zones, as well as the unique challenges they face in peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction. Through intimate portraits and compelling stories, Mr. Duley gives a voice to those often marginalized and neglected, offering an essential perspective on war and peace.
Duley, a renowned photographer and survivor of serious injuries sustained while covering conflict zones, takes us on a visual journey through his exhibition. His striking images are more than just photographs; they are living testimonies to human resilience, suffering, and hope.
In 2011, while working in Afghanistan, Mr. Duley was severely injured by an improvised explosive device. As a result of his injuries, he is a triple-amputee but was able to return to Afghanistan to continue his work as a photographer within a year.
In 2015, he started the Legacy of War Foundation. As the UN Global Advocate, Mr. Duley advocates for the immediate and long-term needs and rights of persons injured in conflict and living with disabilities, including those affected by explosive ordnance.
