Locations
Virtual reality can connect viewers with a topic or story in a more intricate and personal way. Immersive approaches help traditional development subjects take on different meanings, provoking us to see the world with fresh eyes. This immersive exhibition features pieces that explore the spaces where we live and how we present and protect them.
Exhibition runs 8/9 June 14:00 - 20:00 and 10/11 June 16:00 - 20:00 at Metrohan in Istanbul, in conjunction with Documentarist Film Festival.
What is UNDP doing around the issues reflected in these pieces?
Draw for Change: Existimos, Resistimos (We exist, we resist)
(2023, Mariana Cadenas, 15’)
Enter the vibrant world of Maremoto, a young Mexican cartoonist who, through her drawings, empowers women and addresses the taboos of her society. In a combination of 360° video, animation and interactivity, we become part of Maremoto's ongoing search for her identity and drive through art, tackling themes such as body positivity, sexual harassment and contemporary activism.
In the Europe and Central Asia region, significant gender inequalities remain, particularly when it comes to decent work and income, political participation, access to resources and services, and the distribution of unpaid domestic and care work. Women also experience widespread violence and discrimination. At the same time, gender stereotypes are pervasive, limiting the potential of women and men and impeding women’s access to opportunities.
UNDP works to increase women’s participation in politics and civil society, stop violence against women in public and private spheres, provide more and longer-lasting economic opportunities and reduce discrimination against women and other marginalized groups.
Despite the introduction of quotas and other measures aimed at increasing the numbers of women in elected bodies, there has not been a significant redistribution of power between women and men. UNDP works to get women into decision-making positions (explored in its Equal Future platform), which not only levels the playing field, but also brings women’s perspectives to important issues, and potentially hidden or ignored ones. Fighting violence against women, both domestically and online in the public sphere, is important. In Serbia, Journalists against Violence against Women, supported by UNDP, contributes to the prevention through ethical media reporting. In Azerbaijan, our Women Resource Centres support women to become entrepreneurs and overcome socio-economic challenges.
Read more: https://www.undp.org/eurasia/our-focus/gender-equality
Origen
(2023, Emilia Sánchez Chiquetti,25’)
What histories and knowledge lie in the forests and their biodiversity? Through poetic exploration, Origen delves into the dialogue between humans and the environment, weaving a tapestry of memories, tales, reflections and questions about our relationship with nature. We uncover secrets of the past and feel the pressures of the present.
Over the last few decades, countries in Eastern Europe, the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia have been increasingly affected by the impacts of climate change, from water and energy shortages to a broad spectrum of climate-induced natural disasters. Exacerbated pressures on natural resources and ecosystems continue. Economies in the region are still characterized by high levels of energy intensity and inefficiency, relying on fossil fuels for over 80 percent of their energy needs. Lands are increasingly encroached by development that threatens its nature and biodiversity.
UNDP is advocating for policies that promote low-carbon development and fight the impacts of the climate crisis. From promoting clean energy and the circular economy to creating green jobs and investments to conversing ecosystems, UNDP’s work is supporting climate action as a driver for sustainable development.
BIOFIN is working with countries to create sustainable finance solutions to not only protect biodiversity, but let it flourish. It works with governments, civil-society, vulnerable communities and the private sector to catalyse investments in protecting nature and create jobs and opportunities for impacted communities. In Kazakhstan, a renewable energy project helps the local community live in harmony with nature in protected areas. Across the region, UNDP works with governments to create national parks and protect biodiversity, like forests, birds and snow leopards. Farmers and shepherds in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan adopted efficient on-farm water and land use technologies to improve their resilience to climate-induced water scarcity.
Read more: https://www.undp.org/eurasia/our-focus/environment
Remember this place: 31°20’46’’N 34°46’46’’E
(2023, Patricia Echeverria Liras, 25’)
Interwoven fragments of spaces, personal memories and visions of the future create a virtual universe that speaks to the universal longing for “home”. The immersive experience explores the concept of a fragile home: one that has been continuously threatened in the physical world, yet continues to survive thanks to the determination of local women who fight daily to preserve their homes, land, culture and histories.
People have a right to a home, in both the physical sense and also the sense of community. Amidst uncertain times, emerging vulnerabilities can put large sections of people at risk of poverty and exclusion. Women especially are often on the frontline of protecting their homes and cultures.
UNDP works in many ways to help people have access to homes, repair those damaged by natural disasters or in situations of conflict and preserve rights to the land, especially in cases of women’s access to their property.
Until recently in Ukraine, official legislation prevented Ukrainian women from working in construction and other professions deemed to be heavy or dangerous work. UNDP supports a women’s volunteer organization that are rebuilding homes destroyed in the war. Through its Flood Recovery Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP is rebuilding homes destroyed in the 2014 floods and landslides. UNDP Kyrgyzstan’s Bus of Solidarity brings lawyers to rural areas, where women can access legal aide to fight for their land rights.
Read more: https://www.undp.org/eurasia/our-focus/Poverty-and-inequality
