Democracy is arguably the greatest political buzzword of our time and is invoked by political leaders, corporations and citizens alike– but what does it mean? Can it be defined, measured, safeguarded? Can it be sold, bought, and transplanted? Can it grow? Can it die? What does it mean to people who can’t even talk about it? What does it mean to people who don’t believe in it? And what does it mean to you?
In October 2007, ten one-hour films focused on contemporary democracy and its underlying values were broadcast in the world’s largest ever factual media event. More than 48 broadcasters on all continents participated, airing the films in over 181 countries.
In the 10 years since WHY DEMOCRACY? launched, global politics has rapidly evolved; with corruption, globalisation and rising violence becoming increasing prevalent. As these forces threaten to undermine established democratic structures around the world WHY DEMOCRACY? films are more relevant than ever -serving an urgent reminder that citizens fundamental right to engage in politics is core for democracy to flourish.
One of the films in this series, 'Taxi to the Dark Side' by Alex Gibney, won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2007. It explored the American military's use of torture in Iraq and at Guantanamo Bay.
Democracy is arguably the greatest political buzzword of our time and is invoked by political leaders, corporations and citizens alike– but what does it mean? Can it be defined, measured, safeguarded? Can it be sold, bought, and transplanted? Can it grow? Can it die? What does it mean to people who can’t even talk about it? What does it mean to people who don’t believe in it? And what does it mean to you?
In October 2007, ten one-hour films focused on contemporary democracy and its underlying values were broadcast in the world’s largest ever factual media event. More than 48 broadcasters on all continents participated, airing the films in over 181 countries.
In the 10 years since WHY DEMOCRACY? launched, global politics has rapidly evolved; with corruption, globalisation and rising violence becoming increasing prevalent. As these forces threaten to undermine established democratic structures around the world WHY DEMOCRACY? films are more relevant than ever -serving an urgent reminder that citizens fundamental right to engage in politics is core for democracy to flourish.
One of the films in this series, 'Taxi to the Dark Side' by Alex Gibney, won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2007. It explored the American military's use of torture in Iraq and at Guantanamo Bay.
Using the power of strong storytelling as the foundation of the campaign, six compelling and informative documentary films will uncover the lives of men, women and children living as slaves in all corners of the world. Whether it is the deeply flawed Kafala System in the Middle East or the prolific number of children bought and sold in India, the WHY SLAVERY? series will shine a light on the millions of lives lived in the shadow of enslavement.Following the unprecedented success of Why Democracy? and Why Poverty? THE WHY is creating a ground-breaking new cross-media project that asks why slavery remains so endemic in the 21st Century.We aim to create the largest ever public media campaign about modern slavery reaching an unprecedented number of people through broadcast partners, online engagement, and in public spaces like schools, libraries, museums factories, and even football stadiums.
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WHY DEMOCRACY? was launched in 2007 and was the largest factual broadcast event of its time with 48 broadcasters in more than 180 countries transmitting films about contemporary politics.
We created the online webplatform: Democracy House so users could discuss the issues in the films.
In collaboration with Metro News, THE WHY interviewed world leaders, celebrities, intellectuals and everyday people, to find out their thoughts on democracy. Featured interview include contributions from Jesse Jackson and Lars Ulrich (of Metallica).
18 Universities around the world hosted a screening event for WHY DEMOCRACY? This included institutions in China, Rwanda, Brazil, the U.K., and the United States.
Are you interested in learning more about this project? Please write us an email at: info@thewhy.dk
To find out more about our impact download the respective impact reports under materials
Are you interested in becoming part of WHY STORIES?
Join us
Show WHY STORIES? and become part of a global network of broadcasters. We operate with sliding-scale fees dependent on ability to pay. We donate WHY STORIES free of charge to most broadcasters in low and middle-income countries.
Tell your story to a global audience: we are constantly on the lookout for good films. If you have film you think could be part of WHY STORIES? let us know. WHY STORIES films are paid a standard license fee to cover worldwide distribution.
Support us to extend access to independent factual films about the key global issues facing the world today. We work with a wide range of partners to extend access to independent factual films to audiences around the world.
In addition to the broadcast of Why Slavery? films we are working with schools, universities, non-profit organizations and film festivals around the world to ensure the films reach a broad and diverse audience.
Want to be part of the WHY SLAVERY? campaign & put on your own event?
GET INVOLVEDAre you interested in taking part in the ASK WHY? FILM CLUB?
Join us
Make a one-off OR regular donation online
MOBILEPAY: 18763
Organise screenings and debates in your school, organisation or at your local cafe
Soon you will be able to become part of THE WHY’s community of filmmakers, journalists, broadcasters, activists and organisations
FOR MORE INFORMATION on how you can support us please get in touch with us info@thewhy.dk
If you live in Denmark and wish to deduct your donation from tax, please send your CPR-number to us.
It will be deleted after we hand it over to SKAT.
Help us provide civic education by supporting us with a donation in your will. When you choose to donate inheritance to the THE WHY Foundation, you can create a free will with the company Dokument 24. The will becomes free af charge as soon as you choose to donate inheritance to us. Start creating your will today, click here. When you create your will, you will receive it immediately. The will is sent per. e-mail in duplicate. One copy is a notarial will and the other copy is a witness will. You choose whether to sign the notarial will or to have the will signed in front of witnesses. Along with the will, you receive guidance on how to sign. Dokument 24 recommends that you sign the notarial will, as this is the most secure form of signature. THE WHY Foundation are exempt from paying inheritance/estate tax, and all donations go directly to our charitable cause. You can read more about how much inheritance tax you or your heirs must pay here.