Children's Express Foyle Bureau will launch a multimedia exhibition in the VOID gallery in Derry on Thursday 16th November. Entitled “Global Eye” the exhibition will run from 16th-23rd November.
Global Eye is the culmination of a year long development education project 18 young people from the Foyle Bureau have been working on. It has been funded by the Department for International Development and Save the Children.
Through a series of workshops and interviews with people from the developing world members learned at first hand about poverty and inequity. The exhibition explores the Millennium Development Goals and through the concept of interdependency how we are all co-responsible for the world we live in.
There are 4 elements to the Global Eye exhibition:
- a 15 minute documentary “The Ribbon is Red” looking at HIV & AIDS in Northern Ireland
- a photographic exhibition called “One Truth – One Lie” examining HIV & AIDS and poverty on a local and global context.
- A digital imagery project using UV lighting looking at hidden poverty in Derry.
- “Jay’s Story” – an audio package exploring the experiences of Jay, a 35-year old from Northern Ireland who is living with HIV.
Project Worker, Malachy Kyle, who co-ordinated the Global Eye project, says “it has been a fantastic journey for the young people involved. It is brilliant for them to gain an understanding of how global and local issues effect us all, and in many different ways, whether that be poverty, HIV & AIDS or climate change. It has been an opportunity for the young people to examine their own attitudes and beliefs aound HIV & AIDS and poverty, while also giving them a chance to create awareness around these issues using the media and the creative arts.”
David McReynolds, who is a member of the Foyle Bureau of Children’s Express, says it has been an incredible experience for him. “Through the workshops at the beginning I was shocked to find out how globalisation has effected our society, but it was also helped make us much more aware of how we are effected by these issues . I had the opportunity to interview a man living with HIV, and listening to his story I couldn’t believe the level of ignorance that many people have about these issues. Overall though the project was also a lot of fun, with the residential trip being another highlight.”
Foyle Bureau Project Co-ordinator Martin Keeney says the Children’s Express members can be very proud of their achievements. “The entire process has been a huge learning experience for all included and I have been very impressed by their level of dedication and professionalism in taking this on. This is a powerful collection of work they have completed. Too often many people focus on the negative in relation to young people and here is a very positive piece of work completed by them, which should be celebrated. I would urge all people, young and old, to come and see the results.”
The launch happens at 6.45pm on Thursday evening in VOID and all are welcome to attend.
