NOOR

30/12/2024

As the year draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on 2024—a year marked not only by significant changes but also by long-term educational programmes, impactful exhibitions, and the continued growth of NOOR Images.

This year, we made a pivotal structural change: transitioning from a collectively owned cooperative to an independent foundation and creative production platform to ensure NOOR's continued commitment to bringing human stories to the forefront. We are confident that this new chapter will allow us to expand our reach and deepen our impact in the years ahead.

Discover our newsletter for an overview of 2024, highlighting NOOR's educational programmes and exhibitions: https://mailchi.mp/noorimages/noor_images_2024

As we close this year and look toward the future, we recognise that it is through human stories—stories of struggle, resilience, hope, and transformation—that we can truly make an impact. We are more committed than ever to broadening our educational programmes, nurturing the next generation of storytellers, and creating a platform for diverse perspectives. This year, we're excited to unveil a new website, designed not only to connect but to inspire our ever-growing community of creatives and changemakers.

But we cannot do it alone. Your support is vital in helping us continue this important work, empowering visual storytellers to share their truth and bring forward the stories that need to be seen and heard. Together, we can create a more inclusive, authentic world where every voice has the chance to be amplified.

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆: https://www.noorimages.com/support-noor

Through all of this change, NOOR's commitment remains unwavering: to address pressing environmental, social, and humanitarian issues through the power of compelling visual storytelling.

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Photo by Olivier Khouadiani: Exhibition 'Celebrating Communities' is travelling in rural Côte d'Ivoire, Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire, 2024.

As the year draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on 2024—a year marked not only by significant changes but also by long-term educational programmes, impactful exhibitions, and the continued growth of NOOR Images.

29/12/2024

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺!
The 'Food for Thought' exhibition, developed by Scheepvaartmuseum in Amsterdam and NOOR Images, is open until 5th January 2025. Don't miss your chance to experience van Lohuizen’s powerful exploration of the global food system, designed by Ku**er & Herrman (LMNOP). More info: https://www.hetscheepvaartmuseum.com/whats-on/exhibitions/food-for-thought

Nadine Maarhuis interviewed Kadir for We Are The Regeneration. The interview, titled “We’re trapped in a system where the cheapest and easiest option is the most destructive one,” delves into critical discussions about the global food system. Read the full interview here (in Dutch): https://re-generation.cc/longread/opinie-kadir-van-lohuizen/

Explore the accompanying book 'Food for Thought', selected as one of the best photo books of the year by the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant, available in our bookstore. The book, published by NOOR and Lannoo Publishers, offers deeper insights into the exhibition’s themes. Order your copy through the link: https://shop.noorimages.com/books/food-for-thought

24/12/2024

In March 2013, two years after the nationwide protests that ignited the Syrian civil war, Stanley Greene went to without an assignment. “Things in the rest of my life weren’t going well, so I figured, ‘what the hell, this is something I know how to get right’,” Greene commented upon his return from a country he believed would be at war for a long time.

In March and April, Greene worked in Jabal al-Zawiya and Aleppo, where he witnessed people living in extreme conditions, beyond the limits of sanity. Families were forced to shelter in tombs, enduring not only dire living conditions but the constant threat of snipers just outside.

People fled in fear of the regime’s brutal retaliations, but also of the various militias within the Free Syrian Army. Greene noticed that Syria’s conflict had attracted extremist Islamist and militias like no other conflict before. "You have the possibility of a real religious war; you have the possibility of a real jihad on your hands. And the reason Russia does not want this to happen is because they know that foreign fighters will bring this war to the Caucasus," he warned in an interview with the Thompson Reuters Foundation.

“As a conflict , we are about to be employed again covering all of this because this is not going to go away—we are looking at 10 years of war. Hopefully less but I doubt it. Society needs people like us to go to these nasty places. And they should send us because we are going to tell the truth. We are not going to pull any punches,” he said. “There are only two kinds of people in these places, NGOs and journalists. You want to call us merchants of misery? That’s an easy hit but you can’t just dismiss us," he added.

As Syrians return home after the fall of a brutal dictatorship, and families search for loved ones in secret prisons, the world watches with hope and fear for what lies ahead. We share the attentive, raw and yet poetic work of , NOOR member and co-founder, from over a decade ago, when the civil war seemed endless and millions were forced to flee.

Here’s the link to 's interview on the : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTpOZILgITo&list=PLbs2AvhRcddD5tC9A4pyV4OLrB3hmtQ6Q&index=4

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Photos by Stanley Greene / NOOR
1) Bustan al-Qasr frontline neighborhood - The Friday demonstration, led by children, is usually subjected to shelling, Aleppo, Syria, 5 April 2013.
2) The old souk - a UNESCO heritage site, Aleppo, Syria, 2 April 2013.
3) Displaced children surviving death on ancient Syrian burial grounds in Jabal al-Zawiya, Syria, 13 March 2013.
4) Sitting in a cave, listening to explosions outside the realm of safety, our host tells us that the Free Army is in the area, Jabal al-Zawiya, Syria, 2013.
5) Nader Khaled al-Badwy, 26, a fighter with the Free Army, is unable to fight due to contracting tuberculosis, Jabal al-Zawiya, Syria, 2013.
6) Sheik Maqsoud frontline neighborhood - The two sides are so close that they talk and curse while shooting at each other, Aleppo, Syria, 4 April 2013.
7) Children's drawings on a bullet-ridden wall in Al-Fardous, Aleppo, Syria, 4 April 2013.
8) Sacrificial goat to bless a new home in Al-Shaar street, Aleppo, Syria, 3 April 2013.
9) Rebel fighters drink coffee while waiting out. Regime's snipers outside shoot at anything that moves in the streets - Aleppo city's embattled district of Sheikh Maqsud, Syria, April 2013.
10) Omar, 16, and his mother Ateefa Gareeb, 43 - Physically and mentally handicapped. This is the Aleppo that descended beyond hell, where people have no money for food, no dreams left, nothing but the hidden scars of an unfinished war, Bustan al-Qasr, Syria, 4 April 2013.

17/12/2024

"𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘰, 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘢'𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦, 𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐 𝘮𝘦𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘥'𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘤𝘬, 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘚𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘸. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘥'𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴... 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘨𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵, 𝘦𝘯𝘥."

These words from Andrea Bruce, who documented Regime: Syria in 2013, reflect on Syria’s journey as the country begins a new chapter following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 '𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗺𝗲:𝗦𝘆𝗿𝗶𝗮': https://www.noorimages.com/the-regime-syria?utm_source=NOOR+Newsletter&utm_campaign=3a963ce108-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_01_28_04_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a696ffb5af-3a963ce108-

In 2014, NOOR photographers Nina Berman, Alixandra Fazzina, Andrea Bruce, and Stanley Greene documented life in the Za’atari refugee camp, home to over 120,000 displaced Syrians. Their large-scale outdoor installation brought the refugees’ stories to life on the camp’s walls and was later showcased at PHOTOVILLE in New York. Ten years later, the story of Syria is marked by new hope. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗭𝗮'𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁: https://www.noorimages.com/newsroom/tag/%23NOORzaatari?utm_source=NOOR+Newsletter&utm_campaign=3a963ce108-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_01_28_04_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a696ffb5af-3a963ce108-

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Photos by Andrea Bruce / NOOR:
1-2) The Old City of , , 2013.
3-4) Portraits of Bashar al-Assad, Damascus, Syria, 2013.

13/12/2024

On 10 December 2024, Cinema Barberini in Rome hosted the international premiere of 'Food for Thought', creating an atmosphere of inspiration and reflection. Organised by the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN Rome-Based Agencies, the event highlighted the urgent need for transformative food systems.

H.E. Marcel Beukeboom, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN Rome-Based Agencies, opened the evening with a powerful message: “Transformative food systems are at the heart of building better living standards worldwide. By reducing food waste and enhancing sustainability, we can not only combat hunger but also ensure a healthier, more equitable future for all.”

Created by filmmaker and photojournalist Kadir van Lohuizen, the documentary brought together policymakers, sustainability advocates, and curious minds to explore the complexities of global food systems. Read more about the evening here: https://www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/12/12/an-evening-of-reflection-on-sustainable-food-systems



'Food for Thought' was also recognised as one of the best photo books of the year in the Netherlands by de Volkskrant. You can order a copy of the 'Food for Thought' book from NOOR Images bookstore: https://shop.noorimages.com/books/food-for-thought

Photo: agroberichtenbuitenland.nl, Rome, Italy, December 2024.

10/12/2024

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗼 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘇𝗲: 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲𝘀

We’re proud to spotlight Tako Robakidze, the 2021 Stanley Greene Legacy Prize recipient. Tako is currently in her hometown, Tbilisi, documenting the intense protests sparked by the Georgian government’s decision to halt EU membership negotiations until 2028. These protests follow the controversial elections held on 26 October 2024.

On 28 November 2024, tens of thousands gathered outside the Georgian Parliament to protest the Georgian Dream party’s announcement. Protesters faced violent repression—over 300 detained, journalists assaulted, and riot police used water cannons, pepper spray, and tear gas to chase protesters through the streets. Riot police even entered shops and theatres to trap demonstrators.

The Stanley Greene Legacy Prize and Fellowship, awarded by NOOR Images, recognises emerging visual storytellers who, like Stanley Greene, document critical issues in challenging environments. Tako’s work highlights Georgia’s socio-political struggles and the resilience of its communities, amplifying the courage of those fighting for their rights.

Follow her journey as she continues to document the fight for democracy in Georgia.

Photos by Tako Robakidze: Protests outside the Georgian Parliament following the Georgian Dream party’s decision to halt EU membership negotiations, Tbilisi, Georgia, November 2024.

26/11/2024

'𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗽 𝗛𝘂𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁' 𝗯𝘆 𝗡𝗴𝘂𝘆𝗲̂̃𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗵 𝗛𝘂𝗲̂́ – 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗻𝗮𝗺
The Mekong Delta, Vietnam's key rice and seafood producer, faces saltwater intrusion during the dry season, disrupting rice and shrimp farming. The “shrimp hugs the rice plant” model offers a sustainable solution. This method uses saltwater for shrimp breeding in dry months and fresh rainwater for rice cultivation during the rainy season. It increases yields threefold compared to rice monoculture and nearly doubles shrimp output. Nguyễn Thanh Huế, a Hanoi-born freelance photojournalist based in Ho Chi Minh City, focuses on the symbiosis between shrimp and rice plants, highlighting the new hope this brings to local farmers in her story.

Do you know of other innovative practices that blend sustainability and tradition to support communities and the environment? Share them with us in the comments!

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This is the final post in our mini-series from the article 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘴, featured in FIHRM-AP’s 9th issue. Nguyễn Thanh Huế () closes the series with a compelling story, offering hope and insight in the face of the climate crisis.

The work produced in 'Visualising Climate Crisis: Southeast Asia' educational programme makes one thing clear: to confront the climate crisis, we must unite and act now. The stories crafted by these visual storytellers are not merely narratives; they are catalysts for change. They invite us to engage with these stories, share and nurture them, and grow collectively into a force that is greater than the sum of its parts. Read the full article via the link: https://fihrmap.nhrm.gov.tw/views/?g=new_unit_content&sid=192&glang=en-us&fbclid=IwY2xjawGyaHhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHb03OXu8lb7un--qr3Effq6QNwesqaJAp9MSMMDVDXpJO9JMs77Arbd_zw_aem__8urovZGzi5_UVgO_wHQ0Q

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Photos by Nguyễn Thanh Huế, 'The shrimp hugs the rice plant' (2023) – Vietnam

19/11/2024

'𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗼𝘀' 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘅𝗮𝘆 – 𝗟𝗮𝗼𝘀
In Laos, waste generation has surged, causing major issues for communities and ecosystems. A World Bank study shows that effective waste management is limited to urban areas, where only 40-60% of solid waste is collected. Much of the remaining waste is burned or dumped improperly. Many regions lack essential waste facilities and funding, leading to harmful practices. This improper disposal disrupts ecosystems, pollutes waterways, and exacerbates the climate crisis. The resulting pollution affects aquatic life and releases toxic metals, worsening both local and global environmental challenges. Photographer Southida Manixay from Vientiane, Laos, has documented these issues in her work. How can we address such challenges effectively? Join the conversation in the comments!

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This is part of our mini-series from the article 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘴 featured in FIHRM-AP’s 9th issue. The third story is by Southida Manixay (), offering a unique perspective on the climate crisis in Southeast Asia. Stay tuned for the final story in this series, or read the full article via the link: https://fihrmap.nhrm.gov.tw/views/?g=new_unit_content&sid=192&glang=en-us&fbclid=IwY2xjawGpPRlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSjy95uW_BjMlF9uXjJPWOLK_0NTF-Ya_sxy6E8U2qrOrDWhmruw9y531w_aem_BQI3RdX3wYfjSpTQyzco4g

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Photos by Southida Manixay, 'Solid Waste Dilemma' (2023) – Laos

12/11/2024

'𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲: 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀' 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻 𝗥𝘆 – 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗮
Cambodia, with its 443 km of coastline, lost nearly half of its mangrove forests between 1989 and 2017 due to salt farming, charcoal production, and shrimp farming. Mangroves are essential to coastal ecosystems, helping to prevent erosion, protect water quality, and reduce flooding. They also provide crucial habitats for species, including fish that are vital to local communities. Majority of Cambodians living by the coast are relying on fishing, the loss of mangroves threatens their livelihoods. Phnom Penh-based freelance photographer Savroun Ry focuses on mangroves to illustrate the severed relationship between coastal communities and their land, emphasising efforts to restore and reconcile in an increasingly hostile climate.

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We continue our mini-series from the article 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘴 featured in FIHRM-AP’s 9th issue, with the second of four stories by Savroun Ry ().

Each story in the series offers a unique perspective on the climate crisis and its effects in Southeast Asia, with two more stories to follow. You can also read the full piece via the link: https://fihrmap.nhrm.gov.tw/views/?g=new_unit_content&sid=192&glang=en-us&fbclid=IwY2xjawGgFRVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUVzXr9K0hIEeenaZrrRxG00zC-oEJnl0p-h_Pu_gQEJX3CuMCwK0jWd-Q_aem_iKbdZGbT4Fpe6Ee1O32qtw

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Photos by Savroun Ry, 'The Last Mangrove: Loss and restoration of mangroves' (2023) – Cambodia
1) Fishermen find clams and snails in the mangrove forest during the low-tide in Peam Krasaob Wildlife Sanctuary in Koh Kong.
2-3) Trapeang Sangkae Fishing Community Members help the group of people from Sathapana Bank team to replant the mangrove trees in Kampot.

05/11/2024

'𝗽𝗛 𝟳.𝟴: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝗮' 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗔𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗿𝘂𝗴𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶 - 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

Covering over 70% of Earth's surface, oceans play a critical role in climate regulation and serve as the largest carbon sink, absorbing about 30% of atmospheric carbon emissions. However, this process is causing ocean acidification, with seawater pH dropping from 8.2 to 8.1 since the industrial revolution—a 30% increase in acidity, the fastest in 300 million years. This acidification harms marine life, particularly calcifying organisms like shellfish and corals, disrupting their ability to form shells and skeletons. Even fish face increased mortality and developmental challenges. Thai photojournalist and marine biologist Sirachai Arunrugstichai documents the effects of acidification on marine ecosystems in his work.

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We continue our mini-series on the article 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘴 featured in FIHRM-AP's 9th issue, starting with the first of four stories by Sirachai Arunrugstichai.

Each story in the series offers a unique perspective on the climate crisis and its effects in Southeast Asia, with more stories to follow in the coming weeks. You can also read the full piece via the link: https://fihrmap.nhrm.gov.tw/views/?g=new_unit_content&sid=192&glang=en-us&fbclid=IwY2xjawGW51tleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZIbaJT_-lm2poEao8ixmGlzdwXfepedzlhModa3TSIUbwpIB30nRbzipQ_aem_c8Oo8jUXABc_rfwbgT9aUg

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Photo by Sirachai Arunrugstichai (), 'pH 7.8: The Future of the Acidic Sea' (2023) – Thailand.
1) A coral bommie exposed from the water at lowtide as seen with aerial thermal imaging, Phuket, Thailand.
2) An aerial image of coral reefs in Phuket, Thailand.

29/10/2024

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲?
Visual storytelling holds a unique power in conveying complex issues like climate change in a way that is both accessible and emotionally resonant. A single image can capture the essence of a story, making abstract concepts tangible and bringing hidden realities to light. This power is especially important in the context of the climate crisis, where scientific data and policy discussions often seem remote and impersonal. Visual stories have the ability to humanise the crisis, illustrating how it impacts real people and communities, thereby eliciting empathy and inspiring action in ways that words alone cannot achieve. Photographs and images in general hold immense evocative, emotional and sensational power which can be used to create a door into the complexity of the issues they portray.

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We continue our mini-series on the article 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘴 featured in FIHRM-AP's 9th issue. Read the full piece via the link: https://fihrmap.nhrm.gov.tw/views/?g=new_unit_content&sid=192&glang=en-us&fbclid=IwY2xjawGNe4BleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQJmh67vvSGliZktPMCi_q5nIVJhu8yhQcuE8LflKWz0dJUdrZH8hCE2kw_aem_maADEK3kZ72ruOuwxQh9fw

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Photo by Ponita Keo (), 'Beauty and the Pigs'(2023) – Cambodia: As Sreymom expresses, “We can no longer rely on the sky—only each other and ourselves,” showcasing their resilience in the face of a changing world. Three sisters Samin, Sameat, and Sreymom, potential heirs to their family’s rice farming tradition in Battambang, Cambodia. For generations, their family has cultivated rice, shaping their identity. However, climate change has disrupted their farming, with floods and droughts threatening their livelihood and pushing them into debt. To adapt, the sisters raise pigs and run a makeshift beauty parlour.

24/10/2024

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝟮𝟰 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆!
Today, the Earth calls—her rivers, winds, and forests whispering a plea for change. We stand at the crossroads of crisis and hope, where every action we take shapes the future of our fragile home.

At NOOR images, we capture the stories that remind us of the beauty worth saving and the urgency of action. Through the lens, we see the truth: the time to heal is now. Let's listen, take action, and protect what remains together.

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𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Kadir van Lohuizen (): 'After Us The Deluge', The future human cost of rising sea levels is dramatic. The entire country of Kiribati, for example, will have to relocate, while it is estimated that in Bangladesh about 50 million people will need to move from the delta region by 2050. Nobody knows where they will go. The east coast of the USA is experiencing sea level rise which is three-times higher than the global average. It is predicted that major centres such as the Miami Beach area will need to be evacuated by 2060.

22/10/2024

For ages, storytelling has been humanity’s tool for sharing knowledge, navigating the unknown and preserving collective wisdom. Today, visual storytelling, through the power of images, offers a unique opportunity to generate impact that words alone often cannot match. As the climate crisis grows more severe, how can visual stories help us grasp the scale of this global challenge? Can images bridge the gap between complex scientific data and the public’s understanding?

The climate crisis is arguably the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. With a delicate balance disrupted, we are witnessing a series of consequences whose full impact remains unclear. As the crisis intensifies, it becomes evident that the complexity of the issue highlights a simple fact: change is the only way forward. Acceptance, adaptation, and mitigation are our only chances to survive. But how can we fully understand the extent of these changes, learn what the challenges are and what responsibilities lay with our choices?

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𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘴 is an article by NOOR Images featured in FIHRM-AP's 9th issue, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘌𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦. FIHRM-AP is dedicated to sharing issues related to museum practices that advocate for human rights. Read the full piece via the link: https://fihrmap.nhrm.gov.tw/views/?g=new_unit_content&sid=192&glang=en-us

We will be sharing the stories featured in this article in a mini-series in the coming days.

Caption
Photo by Duy Đào, 'Rust' (2023) – Vietnam: Phan Dung, 30 km from the town centre, endures parching winds and desolate fields. Once-fertile rice paddies now lie barren, reflecting the region’s lost vitality. Home to 238 Raglai households in Tuy Phong, Binh Thuan, livelihoods are shaped by agriculture amid these arid and challenging landscapes.

13/10/2024

Beyond the delicious flavours of chocolate lie the stories of dreams, hope, and community, just as every person in this world. Their voices and their stories often remain untold as we taste the fruits of their labour. This invisibility is perpetuated by a lack of direct connection between consumers and the origin of their chocolate products, something which some in the cocoa industry aim to change.

As the 'Celebrating Communities: Photographs from NOOR Foundation and World Press Photo' exhibition comes to an end, so does our little series—but the story doesn’t stop here. Their journey continues, and we hope it inspires further connection and reflection.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the community of Amanikro for sharing their stories, to the programme participants, and to mentors Bénédicte Kurzen and Ishola Akpo for their invaluable guidance. We are also grateful to the Chocolonely Foundation and Fondation Donwahi for their continued support of the exhibition. A special thank you to Olivier Khoudiani for representing the NOOR team and our collaborator World Press Photo.

Soon we will share with you impressions of the travelling exhibition. Stay tuned!

NOOR Advanced Visual Storytelling programme participants: Ayaba Lina Florence Mensah, Clara Watt, Fabrice Mbonankira, Guerchom Ndebo, Joannès Mawuna Doglo, Justin Makangara, Maroussia Mbaye, Massow Ka, Ngadi Smart, and Olivier Khouadiani

Captions
1-2-3) Massow Ka: 'Immersion!' - Hands of villagers growing cocoa, Amanikro, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.
4-5-6) Joannès Mawuna Doglo: 'Liké n’ga bé oumingni' - Everyday objects used on cocoa plantations, telling the stories of forgotten producers, Amanikro, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.

10/10/2024

Amanikro is home to an extraordinary group of women whose lives and history are entwined with the cocoa-growing community. Alongside the men who grow the cocoa, the women of this community combine ancestral wisdom with a deep respect for the earth in the arduous task of providing food self-sufficiency to the community.

‘𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘯𝘢𝘱𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘪𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢, 𝘐 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩, 𝘤𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦.’ — Ayaba Lina Florence Mensah

There aren’t a thousand and one opportunities here. The village is entirely surrounded by bush. There are no passable roads, no health facilities, no school, no electricity and little drinking water. There is only one well for the whole village and it takes an incredible amount of strength to use it. For all other sanitation, the population must rely on the marigots, the surrounding streams.

Despite the adversity, Amanikro exudes a certain joie de vivre, a joyful and exuberant spirit of life. When evening comes after a hard day’s work, a spirit of communion predominates between spouses, parents and children, brothers and sisters. Everyone seems to belong to the same family.

'Celebrating Communities: Photographs from NOOR Foundation and World Press Photo', running until 13th October at Fondation Donwahi in Abidjan. This exhibition, a collaboration with , is made possible with the support of the Chocolonely Foundation and Fondation Donwahi.

Captions:
1-2) Ayaba Lina Florence Mensah: 'The Guardians of the Land' - Portraits of heroic women from the Amanikro community hanging on the leaves of a cocoa tree branch, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.
3-4-5) Clara Watt: 'Grâce à Dieu, Sa Ira Maman' - Shadows and silhouettes of the cocoa community blend with the words and drawings that decorate the houses, Amanikro, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.

08/10/2024

‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵𝘦𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘬𝘳𝘰.’ — Fabrice Mbonankira

In Amanikro, a Baoulé village in the province of Divo, west of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, everything revolves around a tree with exceptional powers: the cocoa tree. Nearly everyone in Amanikro is a cocoa farmer. Village is centered on around the cocoa plant, shaping daily routines and festivities. Spirituality, family values, and artistic expression interweave hopes, fears, and joys into the fabric of everyday life. The community is the lifeblood that sustains its people, and the bonds between residents resemble those of a close-knit family. Men and women, parents, elders, children, brothers, and sisters come together as one family, each contributing uniquely to the community's resilience and strength.

We will continue to share the stories from the exhibition 'Celebrating Communities: Photographs from NOOR Foundation and World Press Photo', running until 13th October at Fondation Donwahi in Abidjan. This exhibition, a collaboration with , is made possible with the support of the Chocolonely Foundation () and

NOOR Advanced Visual Storytelling programme participants: .photojb, , , , , , , , , and .

Captions
1-2-3) Fabrice Mbonankira: Amanikro Utopia - Life in Amanikro, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.
4-5-6) Olivier Khouadiani: 'Mi Ti, head in Baoulé' - Children of Amanikro acting out what are symbolic interpretations of the Goli mask, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.