The Human Rights Video Project is a national library project created to increase the public's awareness of human rights issues through the medium of documentary films. To that end, we have curated a collection of 12 documentary films on human rights issues. The project also encourages collaborations between public libraries and human rights advocacy organizations to present film screenings and discussion programs. The project was developed by National Video Resources in partnership with the American Library Association Public Programs Office. Major funding provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

       

     

Life and Debt
Life and Debt explores the effect of the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) policies on developing countries through Jamaica's experience with the organization. In order to receive loans from the IMF, the country entered into a tricky agreement with its lenders. The terms of the loan stipulated that Jamaica had to agree to reduce trade barriers by withdrawing its local import restrictions, and thus enter the world market. The local economy became flooded with foreign goods, which were cheaper than those produced locally, resulting in a loss of jobs and economic self-reliance.

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Complete list of films

Thematic Programing
The Human Rights Video Project provides resources for organizations that wish to create effective discussion programs around human rights issues through documentary film screenings. These five essays suggest how to use the Human Rights Video Collection to present programs on specific human rights issues.

Women’s Rights

Children’s Rights

Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights

Refugee Rights and Related Issues

Arms, Conflict and International
Humanitarian Law

See Programing Resources for discussion group (list-serve), promotion guide, graphics and press.

 
Essays
Introduction: Because We’re All Global Citizens Now
Globalizing the Local: Towards a Global Understanding In Promoting Human Rights
Talk About Talks: Facilitating Difficult Discussions
Moving Pictures, Moving Mountains: Using Video in Advocacy Campaigns
Sustaining the Public Sphere in Libraries
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