Creating a Story through Video

I feel very honoured to be a member of the video team that is charged with capturing the story of Connecting for Change 2009 and delighted with the opportunity to tell you a little bit more about what we’re hoping to achieve.

When Charles asked me, and a wonderful man called Ward Maillard, to explore the essence of the Dialogue in a 7-10 minute piece – we wondered about how to do this. Quite frankly, conferences are often interesting to attend – but don’t make compelling narrative stories. During one of our many conversations, Ward, Charles and I hit upon the idea of framing the film around the learning journey. Ward, an educator in California, is passionate about this idea and is doing significant work to encourage change in our educational systems based on connecting students with their humanity.  In other words, he creates learning journeys that lead students to become compassionate and engaged world citizens.

As storytellers and participants (we’re both participating as social entrepreneurs), we're using the video as a way to deepen our understanding of why we are called to Connecting for Change. What will happen on our journeys? How will we be different when we return to our communities? (We may even follow up with you in a month or two after the event…)

Three talented videographers, a world-class photographer and a brave editor are joining us in this storytelling endeavor.  We will be approaching many of you for interviews throughout the Dialogue (particularly those who try to avoid our scrutinizing and inviting gaze).

I believe in the power of story and a good story's ability to create movement within all of us.  My sense is that what people want is faith -- faith that we can make a difference, that change is possible, that through willpower, ingenuity and innovation we can overcome adversity.  And faith needs a story to sustain it -- a meaningful story that inspires belief in possibility and renews hope that together we can make a difference.

The power of story to reflect the world we live in as well as to provide the imagination and vision necessary to reshape that world is infinite. Stories enable us to understand ourselves and others; they give us the ability to cross cultural, ethnic and gender lines, to create change, and to build bridges from one continent to another.  Connecting for Change is an invitation to create a story together that can result in lives being changed: not only our own lives but everyone and everything we are connected to and with.

As a participant, I am representing a pilot project called Mobile Movement, an innovative microfinancing and mentorship hub that promotes global partnerships by giving young social entrepreneurs in the slums of Nairobi mobile phones so they can connect with lenders, donors, and mentors directly via the network. While the mobile phone is proving an incredible business tool - from providing a constant contact number for people who live in temporary settlements to providing access to a world of information on the web - the mobile phone also allows these young people to tell their own stories; to build relationships in their own words and images in a direct, immediate and empowering way.

I look forward to meeting all of you and feel very privileged to be a part of the team that documents the inspiring and unfolding story of Connecting For Change.

With thanks, Jess Fraser