MoW Short-form Animations  

We often talk about the importance of listening to young people and creating content with them in mind. Yet, all too often, the content aimed at young audiences misses the mark because it doesn’t fully reflect their interests or needs. When young people aren’t involved in creating content, it’s difficult to claim that it truly speaks to them.

This is why, in 2022, ICDH launched the project “Let’s get inspired by MoW!" The goal was to bring students on board as creators, encouraging them to draw inspiration from UNESCO’s Memory of the World (MoW) records and develop their own stories, resulting in content they could genuinely call their own.

In partnership with a university in South Korea, animation students teamed up to create short, 1- to 2-minute animated films. These students researched MoW records, crafted their stories, and designed characters who embark on journeys aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The characters they created face challenges, find solutions, and embody a spirit of determination and creativity that reflects both their own passions and the project’s purpose.

This project wasn’t just about producing content; it was about empowering students to lead the creative process and gain hands-on experience as future professionals. Through projects like this, ICDH aims to support the UN Youth Strategy 2030, which focuses on “Engagement, Participation, and Advocacy – Amplifying youth voices for the promotion of a peaceful, just, and sustainable world.”