The Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) and the Innovation Cell at the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UNDPPA) launched yesterday in Beirut the virtual reality documentary “Dreaming of Lebanon” that provides an immersive experience into the lives of young Lebanese people and their hopes for the future.
The documentary utilizes cutting-edge 360-degree filming technology that enable viewers to engage in an interactive interview with three young Lebanese from various walks of life and different places of the country to explore their realities.
“New technologies can be a great tool for multilateral diplomacy and peacebuilding,” said United Nations Special Coordinator Joanna Wronecka. “This virtual reality documentary shows the human face of Lebanon and how hope, patience and dreams can and must survive despite all the challenges, and it inspires young people to use all their potential to build a better future,” she added.
During a roundtable discussion on the making of the documentary, Mr. Martin Waehlisch from UNDPPA’s Innovation Cell thanked the three protagonists, Josephine Abou Abdo, Batoul Hakim and Rafik El Hariri. “We filmed at their homes, your workplaces and hometowns to allow viewers gain an authentic understanding of their unique perspectives.”
The VR documentary that was launched at the Beirut Digital District in the presence of the filmmakers, the protagonists, members of the film industry, academics, diplomats and the media, will be screened soon at UN headquarters in New York. It will also be shown in different Lebanese areas and universities.
“It is important to keep talking about Lebanon as this VR experience advocates. I will make sure that the voices of Lebanon will be heard in New York when I give my next Security Council briefing in July on the situation in the country,” the Special Coordinator said.