Home > Agenda

Dignified Storytelling Forum

Date: Friday, 10 December 2021

Venue: Hall 1A North, Dubai Exhibition Centre (Expo 2020 Dubai)

Format: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Attendance: Open to the public. Free registration

Under the theme, “A Story can Change the World” and marking Human Rights Day, the Dignified Storytelling Forum brought together storytellers, members of civil society, organizations, governments, the private sector and international and regional agencies to discuss and agree on the importance of placing human dignity at the heart of storytelling, particularly within development and humanitarian contexts.

The Forum emphasized the importance of embedding dignified storytelling in policy and practice among individuals, organizations and countries. It also presented an opportunity to affirm the Dignified Storytelling Principles, committing to them through the Dignified Storytelling Pledge.

The Forum stood out as the most strategically important Dignified Storytelling event during Expo, attracting more than 700 in-person and virtual attendees who heard from more than 20 speakers on the overarching topic of adopting dignified storytelling approaches to help reshape the way stories are told around the world.

Forum Program

Main Program

14:00 – 18:00

H.E. Reem Al Hashimy

Minister of State for International Cooperation, Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai

H.E. Dr. Tariq Al Gurg

Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman, Dubai Cares​

Rashid Al Falahi

Dignified Storyteller

Dignified Storytelling Poetry Performance

By Chief Moomen, Ghanaian Poet, Playwright and Creative Entrepreneur

OPENING PLENARY: DIGNIFIED STORYTELLING IN POLICY AND PRACTICE

Michael Kass, Founder of Story & Spirit drew upon the expertise of the panelists to recognise challenges faced by storytellers and explore how the Dignified Storytelling Principles help build strategies and overcome challenges through policy and practice.

MODERATOR

Michael Kass

Founder, Story & Spirit

PANELISTS

Maher Nasser

Commissioner General of the United Nations to Expo 2020 Dubai

Noella Musunka

Founder, Malaika

Issam Kazim

Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM)

Nassib Boueri

Chief Executive Officer, Wunderman Thompson MENA

Elisabetta Lattanzio Illy

Journalist and Photographer

(UNIDO Goodwill Ambassador)

PLENARY: SHOWCASING DIGNIFIED STORIES

This session showcased a series of “Spotlight Stories”, all calling on audience partners and stakeholders to commit to telling stories with dignity at their heart, whilst also encouraging all participants to submit their own experiences, stories and best practices to help enhance the value and diversity of the platform.

MODERATOR

Dr. Rebecca Swift

VP and Global Head of Creative Insights, Getty Images

PANELISTS

Rocco Blume

Head of Policy and Advocacy, WarChild UK

John Hecklinger

Chief Executive Officer, Global Fund for Children

Waleed Shah

Photographer

The story behind "Songs of Freedom"

Best photo of the year

by Michael Aboya, Visual Artist & Winner of the 2019 Agora Award

PLENARY: DIGNIFIED STORYTELLING WITH HISTORICALLY MARGINALISED COMMUNITIES

This session focused on Dignified Storytelling with historically marginalised communities by bringing together panelists representing different stakeholder groups including but not limited to refugees, children, People with Disabilities, and people impacted by sexual and gender-based violence.

MODERATOR

Nina Ford

Director of Communications & Marketing, Global Fund for Children

PANELISTS

Tracey Corbin-Matchett

CEO, Bus Stop Films

Joung-Ah Ghedini-Williams

Head of Global Communications, UNHCR

Closing Remarks

Valentina Castellani-Quinn

Award-Winning Film Producer, President and Chairman, Quinn Studios Entertainment

PRE-FORUM TECHNICAL SESSIONS

Engaging and interactive workshops, talks and discussions took place prior to the main Dignified Storytelling program on 10 December 2021.

The 45-minutes technical sessions were co-curated alongside key Dignified Storytelling Partners and ran between 10:00 and 13:00 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre.