| Do "Stars" influence Interest in humanitarian Activities? |
  It seems like it was yesterday. A young, charming and outgoing French photographer was visiting every exhibit at the Photo-journalism Festival in Perpignan, where he was also showing his own work on the Liberian war. He had risked his life many times in the cruel and bloody daily combats, as anyone who has followed events in this western African country will realize. The jury had assembled for the prize distribution. The French photographer, whose name I have now forgotten, received his award to thunderous applause, and was convinced that his career would take off. Alas, no. The Festival Director, while full of praise for his project, admitted that photos of showbiz and sports personalities were what interested magazines, television and the public the most. To gain more international attention and a larger share of the financial benefits available from wealthy donors, many humanitarian organizations have jumped on the bandwagon. Nowadays, the biggest and most famous of these associations ask well-known stars to support their activities. While not denying the impact of a well-known face for publicity purposes, the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) tried a different approach recently. The Geneva-based Swiss organization asked Miss Switzerland 2006, Christa Rigozzi, and two students from the Bugnon, Lausanne high school, Sophie Peter and Michael Rapin, to share the spotlight. Sponsored by Taiwan, this group, during their recent visit to Tadjikistan, was accompanied by a trio of local journalists who had previously followed the students for a trimester as they prepared their visit to this area which is over-run with landmines and explosive remnant of war. The result was as expected. Christa’s well-known face and name earned the group front-page photos in both the national Sunday newspapers as well as more modest articles in the international media. A few days later, a similar visit took place in Lebanon, with two students from the Claparède high school in Geneva, Christelle Oltramare and Loïc Medrano, but without Miss Switzerland 2006, who was retained by other obligations. Although, for obvious reasons due to their presence in the field, the local media did their job of covering this visit, this second trip did not inspire the same interest with other journalists. As we can see, even ten years later, the remark made by the Perpignan Festival Director concerning the media importance of stars is still valid. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. The FSD is convinced that young people can be the perfect ambassadors to underline the problems and dangers of unexploded war debris to a wide public, by using different communications vectors such as the cover pages of well-known magazines. They will also soon be in positions to defend their ideas in an adult world, enriched by this unusual experience which they have been fortunate to share. Roland Sidler Swissinfo, 04.01.2008, Le Point, 06.12.2007, La Tribune de Genève, 03.12.2007, Le Matin Dimanche, 02.12.2007, |
