In a world often characterized by intolerance, and cultural and religious divisions, it is vital that youth are recognized as powerful agents of social change. PLURAL+ encourages youth to address key challenges and opportunities related to social inclusion and cohesion, migrant integration, respect for identity, diversity, human rights and xenophobia, both at local and global levels through video production. Young people aged up to 25 are invited to submit short videos of five minutes maximum in length for consideration in the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival.
“PLURAL+ provides youth around the world with the opportunity to submit real stories told by real people, which when widely disseminated help to foster intercultural dialogue and understanding as well as respect for diversity and tolerance,” says Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations.
Each year since 2009, a prestigious international jury selects three PLURAL+ International Jury Award winners in each age category (up to 12, 13-17, 18-25). The International Jury Award winners will receive $1,000 as well as be invited to New York, all travel expenses paid, to present their work at the PLURAL + 2017 Festival Awards Ceremony at the Paley Center for Media and possibly as well at the United Nations Headquarters in Fall 2017. PLURAL+ partner organizations will also award other prizes and professional opportunities to over 20 of the best videos submitted, partners award winning videos will be invited to present their work at film and video festivals, conferences and events around the world.
In addition to the three International Jury award winners, this year PLURAL+ will also provide, for the first time, the “PLURAL+ Award for the Prevention of Xenophobia”, and the winner will also be flown to New York to participate and present his/her video at the PLURAL+ 2017 Festival and Awards Ceremony on 9 November at the United Nations Headquarters and on 10 November at the Paley Center for Media in New York.
“We all know this to be true: increased participation of youth in the media is essential. These youth – these agents of social change – make up a large portion of today’s migrant population, and they have something valuable to tell us about their migration experiences. And this is what PLURAL+ aims to achieve: to provide young filmmakers with a global platform to share their thoughts and experiences with us,” says Mr. William Lacy Swing, Director General and International Organization for Migration.
PLURAL+ supports young people’s expression by providing them with a variety of media platforms and distribution networks, including broadcasts, video festivals, conferences and events around the world. PLURAL+ not only provides young people with an effective platform to raise their voices on key migration and diversity issues, but also reinforces the firm belief of IOM and UNAOC that the powerful expression of youth creativity is a force to be reckoned with.
Further information, including guidelines, rules and regulations and the entry form can be found at the PLURAL+ website at: pluralplus.unaoc.org.
Deadline for submission is 4 June 2017. Early submissions are encouraged.
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