MENA Newswire: Canon Middle East (CME), the leading provider of imaging technologies, partnered with Everyday Refugees, a non-profit foundation, with the aim of inspiring, educating and empowering the youth in Jordan for the #InspiringChangeInitiative. The six-week programme that kicked-off in August, was led by Canon Ambassador Muhammed Muheisen, a two-time Pulitzer prize-winning photojournalist and a global Ambassador for Jordan Tourism Board; with the main objective to Inspire, Educate and Empower local youth, by giving them a voice to create a better and more sustainable future through introducing them to the power of creative visual storytelling and critical thinking, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
15 Jordanians and 15 refugee students all between the ages of 12 and 18 years with gender balance and diversity were selected to be a part of Canon’s “Young People Programme”. The programme included two-day theoretical masterclass followed by the students having the opportunity to go on a field trip to various locations including Al-Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife in Jerash as well as Refugee Camps to attain first-hand practical experience on visual storytelling. Further on, Mr. Muheisen continued to mentor the students online giving them a chance to apply what they learned on their own using the cameras provided to them by Canon. More than 13,900 images were captured by the students and shared with Mr. Muheisen, who then helped sort, edit, and come up with a 6-image body of work from each student aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
To celebrate their achievements, Canon organized a ceremony at EMDAD Showroom – Canon’s Authorized Partner in Amman to highlight the work of the 30 students. HRH Princess Alia Bint Hussein presented each student with a certificate of completion of the “Canon Young People Programme” and a printed portfolio of their work honoring their accomplished throughout the duration of this programme. The achievements of the students were then celebrated during a ceremony in the attendance of HRH Princess Alia Bint Hussein, representatives from Canon Middle East, Everyday Refugees Foundation, the students, and their families. During the ceremony images taken by each student were showcased, focusing on how they capture the essence of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that they focus on, from Climate Action, Gender Equality to Sustainable Cities and Communities to Good Health and Wellbeing, and more.
Mr. Venkatasubramanian (Subbu) Hariharan, Managing Director, Canon Middle East and Turkey highlighted Canon’s focus on sustainability through this programme saying “There are youths across the world with a story to tell, a desire to create change, and make the future brighter for all. In line with our corporate philosophy – Kyosei, we aim to give them a voice while working with them and for them. Not only do these kids break barriers, but also have the potential to be an inspiration to many across the globe. Our purpose is to expand this program worldwide, and this is just the starting few steps of the bigger picture that is to be painted.”