NLN x Hivos - Testimonies of Change
Project duration: September 2022 to April 2023
Students of the master Non Linear Narrative collaborated with six independent human rights advocates related to the professional network of Dutch non-profit organisation Hivos to look into contemporary forms of activism.
Paired with the activists, students compiled new audio-based testimonies of transformational change in order to elevate the voices of communities leading the way in re-imagining a more equitable and just future.
About the project
The master Non Linear Narrative at the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) takes the entanglement of relations in the global information society as a starting point in order to examine socio-political issues in collaboration with external partners.
Testimonies of Change challenged students to understand the local effects of global injustices and connect to the lived experiences of activists campaigning for climate justice, LGBTQ and women’s rights in Namibia, Niger, Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The goal was to build a platform of trans-disciplinary knowledge sharing to create an embedded learning experience that allowed for the exchange of topical expertise around activism and civic engagement.
The professional and biographical background of the activists functioned as a starting point for investigation. Subsequently, communities related to their field of engagement acted as the first body of knowledge to give a priority of voice to those affected most by the issues discussed.
In the course of the project, students became more familiar with the challenges, motivations and opportunities of activism, and what it takes to initiate a grassroots social justice movement. As a result, the exhibition not only put the work of students on display but also amplified the work of the associated activists.
Initially, interviewing as research practice allowed students to gather comprehensive information related to Hivos’ three areas of impact:
- gender equality, diversity and inclusion;
- civic rights in a digital age; and
- climate justice.
In addition, its dialogical format put local communities into focus as the voices of inquiry and storytelling. Students have established personal connections with the guest activists and have developed a social and political understanding of a wider set of lived realities.
Final presentations in exhibition 'Testimonies of Change'
The exhibition 'Testimonies of Change' was on view from 12 to 15 April 2023 at The Grey Space in the Middle, in The Hague.
The exhibition presented six stories of transformational change through the voices of communities leading the way in re-imagining a more equitable and just future.
Impressions of the exhibition 'Testimonies of Change'
Related events/activities
The exhibition 'Testimonies of Change' was on view 12-15 April 2023 at The Grey Space in the Middle, The Hague.
On Friday 14 April, the master Non Linear Narrated hosted a panel talk on ‘Future Visions on Women’s Rights and Intersectionality’.
Credits / thanks to
Student participants
Alessandro Caccuri
Marta Cuccurullo
Mirna Jancic Doyle
Kai Jiao
Guillaume Lelong
Michela Meliddo
Nigel van der Pol
Activists
Kiss Brian Abraham
Saber Ammar
Linda Baumann
Friedel Dausab
Rahinatou Moussa Souna
Teddy Munyimani
Project supervision
Ramon Amaro (Critical Theory and Methods), Linda van Deursen (Image Language), Edwin Jakobs (Coding), Katrin Korfmann (Post Photography), Niels Schrader (Information Design) and Judy Wetters (Material Lab) from Royal Academy of Art (KABK), in close collaboration with Mickey Andeweg, Charlotte van Dalfsen, Mark Schleedoorn and Quirine Lengkeek from Hivos
The exhibition and events related to Testimonies of Change are generously supported by Hivos and hosted by first year students of the master’s programme Non Linear Narrative.