10 TACTICS INTRODUCES UKRANIAN STUDENTS TO INFO-ACTIVISM

During the first week of October, 10 Tactics was screened as part of the Autumn Youth School in Evpatoria, Ukraine. Fifty pupils aged 16-20 took part in a week-long series of workshops, seminars and lectures investigating the role of documentary film and new media to promote the interests of local communities, especially environmental protection in Ukraine.         

The Zaporizhzhya Regional Public Organization (OPP VZAYEMODIYA), supported by the Public Affairs Department of the U.S Embassy in Ukraine, are a group of psychologists working in youth development, behaviour, family life and more recently working to reintegrate victims of human trafficking.

Ella Shtyka said, “We’ve been searching for materials on media-activism and realised that 10 Tactics would help to reach our targets.”

After the screening there was a discussion about the different kinds of rights groups that exist in society and how the internet can widen networks and enable activists to share information more easily.

Ella continues, “If you're a grassroots activist, chances are you already know the people in your own community who share your concerns…The internet makes it possible for activists to expand networks by identifying and contacting activists in other communities who have similar interests and concerns.”

Ella also reported that after the workshops, the young people started a group on Facebook to start sharing ideas and links on making short documentaries on the environmental problems in the Ukraine.

One young person who attended the screening said, “Bloggers are often the only real journalists in countries where the mainstream media is censored or under pressure. Only they provide independent news, at the risk of displeasing the government and sometimes courting arrest."

The 10 Tactics film with Ukrainian subtitles and accompanying cards are available to download.