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Steps for Democracy ProjectSteps for Democracy is an initiative from Steps International, a non–profit organisation established by the parties involved with Steps for the Future The Project has two elements
The aim is to use the resources of major world broadcasters to produce films about an issue of global importance, and with the support of international development agencies to ensure that the films are seen and used by as wide an audience as possible on all continents. The objective is to use documentary film as a tool for intervention: to promote debate on what democracy means to people in different societies and cultures; to encourage understanding between people of different nations; and thereby further the development of human rights, civil society, freedom of expression, and democratic institutions around the world. NEW CENTURY DEMOCRACY. The aim isn’t to supply a single definition of democracy, or a judgement about its global viability. Instead we aim to pose apparently simple questions – to which there are no simple answers. We’ll give expression to the most varied voices. Critics, or opponents of democracy will be present. Can democracy really be spread throughout the world, becoming (as is hoped) an answer to contemporary problems? This isn’t a debate about theory. It will determine the direction taken by our century. THE FILMS. They aren’t news-style reports. Grounded in actuality, they are constructed around questions of universal interest. Commissioning of the films has already begun via workshops in India, Europe – and with more scheduled in China and Japan. The process is being organized by STEPS INTERNATIONAL, a non-profit organization created for the project, and based in Denmark. An editorial board has been created. How the films are selected and conceived is important to us. Special importance is given to working with filmmakers from the South, or developing world – or indeed to those from countries where the films are made. To this end we are devising a system of support for filmmakers derived from our experience. THE CONVERSATION. We are currently developing an internet presence to run concurrently with the programmes. The site will cover the series (i.e. contain discussions about the programmes, survey their progress). But it will have a much larger function – it will develop its own arguments. We can have blogs (from all over the world), links to other sites about democracy. We can commission our own pieces and stage debates. We can also stream interviews outside the series, or lectures, or polemics. Funding permitting, we will continue with the site for at least three years – and, if it is possible, we’d like it to be permanent. For radio coverage, we have approached BBC World Service – they will run a series of programmes while the shows are being aired globally. THE EFFECTS. We want the project to have as long a life as possible – it mustn’t die after the TV showings. So we are seeking money to version the films in as many languages as possible. If broadcasters can’t pay for them, we will distribute them free, on condition that they are shown prominently. Another aspect of the project is a series of short films targeted at countries where democracy has recently been introduced. In the final ‘window’ the ten programmes will be broadcast globally on BBC World i.e. about a year after their first transmission. We anticipate making the films available to colleges and schools, and organisations dealing with these issues – on much the same terms as above. We believe that this is the right time for a global event such as democracy – there is a real contemporary need for an organization like STEPS capable of organizing such projects. |