Photography for social impact
Project 1948
In 2013, Project 1948 was founded as a NGO in Sarajevo, BiH. It’s mission is to provide an “educational platform for social impact in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” Through it’s programs, Project 1948 enables young people from around the country to learn photography skills. It’s program is unique: Project 1948 aims to build peace through arts-based activities. Featured in
Project 1948 embodies the promotion of peace, justice, and strong institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, by way of a two-part model: to provide the medium of photography and human rights to catalyze community policy-change through youth capacity building… Project 1948’s innovative photo-voice approach to achieving sustainable development creates avenues for resource accessibility and empowers young adults to create an international dialogue in order to hold officials and institutions accountable at all levels of government.
Art-based reconciliation programs can be highly effective in raising the level of mutual understanding. The United States Institute for Peace recently released an article written by Katherine Wood about the impacts that these programs can have. Wood writes:
“In conflict zones, often amplified by social media, the arts tell and interpret people’s stories, heal trauma victims, mend communities, give voice to women and other marginalized groups, protest injustice, provide livelihoods, educate populations, express heritage, define identity, engage youth with alternatives to violence, and humanize the “other.”… The arts can open and enlarge someone’s worldview and enhance understanding of another’s, leading to empathy and inclusion.”
While Sarajevo is not a conflict zone, it it clear that art-based programs can be successful in Sarajevo. Speaking with volunteers and participants of Project 1948, it is obvious to see the impact of the program. Through their programs, Project 1948 is creating positive change within communities across Bosnia, and helps to increase the level of tolerance and understanding within it’s participants and the greater society.
