Our Vision
The first priority of the Survivor-Centred Visual Narratives project is to uphold our duty of care to the survivors of genocide and mass atrocity with whom we work. Without this commitment to care, the project cannot move forward. When a survivor chooses to share their testimony, they are not simply imparting information but are engaging in a relationship that depends on mutual respect, empathy, and responsibility. It is our greatest responsibility as a project to ensure that we honour the trust given to us by the survivors who choose to participate, and that every scholar, artist, and filmmaker associated with the SCVN upholds this priority.
We affirm the value of human life and of human community and condemn all violations of human rights.
Please connect with us and let us know how we can be here for you – you are not alone.
Contact: Charlotte Schallié at [email protected]
Approach
Stories have the power to connect us and to remind us of the experiences we hold in common. The SCVN project is grounded in drawing and graphic novels as a means of sharing stories, forming better relationships between researchers and survivors, and developing empathy in our communities.
Leadership
The circular leadership structure of the SCVN project prioritizes collaboration. As the project unfolds over the next several years, the various committees overseeing key aspects of the work will be formed from the international and interdisciplinary scholars who have joined together to make this project a reality.
Community
The international scope of the SCVN project provides the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from scholars, artists, and survivors all over the world. We are committed to working together, despite the challenges many of our team members are facing.
A graphic novel may not save the world, but when we continue to sit down together, to listen, and to learn, we can shape space for stronger communities to emerge.
Survivor-Centred Visual Narratives is an international project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada under the title “Visual Storytelling and Graphic Art in Genocide and Human Rights Education” (SSHRC Partnership Grant #1154242; 2022-2029).