WITNESS was founded in 1992 by musician and activist Peter Gabriel and the Reebok Human Rights Foundation as a project of the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights.
WITNESS fights for the rights of indigenous people, for an end to systemic gender violence and the use of children as soldiers, and for environmental protection where human communities are at stake. WITNESS works with diverse groups from all over the world, carefully selecting partners based on the strength of their human rights work, the clarity of their mission, and the ability of video to enhance their campaigns. WITNESS makes sure their voices are heard. Even more important, helps empower them by mobilizing a response to right the wrongs they document.
WITNESS is much more than a provider of technology. WITNESS knows that images are important, but footage alone is not enough to stop human rights violations. WITNESS makes a difference because they train their partners to turn compelling testimony and images into powerful human stories and strategic advocacy campaigns that make a difference.
WITNESS uses the power of video to open the eyes of the world to human rights abuses. By partnering with local organizations around the globe, WITNESS empowers human rights defenders to use video to shine a light on those most affected by human rights violations, and to transform personal stories of abuse into powerful tools of justice. Over the past decade, WITNESS has partnered with groups in more than 60 countries, bringing often unseen images, untold stories and seldom heard voices to the attention of key decision makers, the media, and the general public - catalyzing grassroots activism, political engagement, and lasting change.
WITNESS - SEE IT, FILM IT, CHANGE IT
“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world…” (Margaret Mead)
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