The Program
Outside the Lens (OTL) presents Cameras Across Cultures (CXC) , a workshop for young women from the Norwegian Refugee Council network and the UNFPA/IFH Women and Girls Safe Spaces in the Emirati-Jordanian Refugee Camp. The workshop is a participatory, project-based program - developing students’ abilities in and appreciation of the arts of digital photography and narrative, while building essential 21st century skills, such as media literacy, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. This interactive workshop experience, featuring original OTL curriculum such as the Here I Am project, Pieces of Me , and more - enables students to explore their identity through the lens by collaborating with their peers in a structured and safe environment in all aspects of project planning, creation, and editing - meanwhile creating self-reflective poetry and photography. A majority of the participating youth have in some way been stripped of their physical belongings and structural sense of home. Through photography, we make it possible for students to reconnect with their past and reclaim their identity, by capturing meaning through imagery. By taking ownership of the situation they are in, students gain a sense of agency to create change within themselves, their community, and their world, and are enabled to build a better vision for their future. At the conclusion of the workshop, our students present a final exhibition to showcase their work to members of their community, fostering dialogue and empowerment by gaining a new skill set in digital media arts. |
Program Philosophy
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Timeline
We will hold three teacher trainings at the Emirati-Jordanian Camp between Fall 2016 - Fall 2017. Outside the Lens staff will travel to the camp and train 10 coaches , Syrian Women living in the camp who have teaching, mentoring, or experience working with youth.They will then work with 20 students each, reaching 200 youth total . The coaches will be trained on how to effectively implement 4 OTL Units per training , reaching 12 units by Fall 2017. Ideally, the intervention will be realized employing the best technological resources, including 40 iPads, 20 DSLR Cameras, and 20 SD Cards .