UNESCO and vivo Host Visual Storytelling Workshop in Alexandria
Alexandria, Egypt – 30 April 2026
Under the global framework of the “Capture the Future: Global Youth Storytelling Initiative for People and Nature”, UNESCO and vivo successfully organized a youth capacity-building workshop at Alexandria University.
The event brought together nearly 100 university students from across Egypt, serving as an interactive activation of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme in Egypt, and focusing on empowering youth through visual storytelling and mobile photography.
Empowering Youth from Voice to Action
Speaking on the initiative, Kelly Cerialo, Program Specialist at UNESCO, emphasized the importance of transforming youth engagement into real-world impact:
“This project would further encourage youth to move from ‘voice’ to ‘action,’ addressing real-world problems while offering career inspiration and potential investment opportunities for their projects, as well as bringing new opportunities for improving local governance, branding and social development.”
The workshop highlighted how visual storytelling for youth can contribute to social development, environmental awareness, and cultural preservation.
Mobile Photography for Sustainable Storytelling
During the workshop, students received hands-on training in:
- Mobile photography techniques
- Visual composition and framing
- Narrative development through images
- Using photography to highlight local traditions and sustainable development
Participants were also guided on transforming raw visual data into impactful storytelling content that aligns with international standards for documentation and archiving.
vivo’s Vision: Democratizing Professional Mobile Imaging
According to Alex Zhan, General Manager of vivo Egypt, the initiative reflects vivo’s mission to make professional imaging accessible to everyone:
“We aim to democratize professional-grade imaging. It is our mission to turn mobile devices into a ‘digital observatory,’ empowering every young person for sustainable storytelling and inclusive cultural expression.”
He added that beyond technical training, vivo focuses on enabling youth to use mobile tools for creative expression, cultural documentation, and sustainable storytelling.
“vivo the moment” Mobile Photo Awards 2026
This workshop is part of vivo’s broader commitment to youth empowerment through its global platform, including the “vivo the moment” Mobile Photo Awards 2026.
The initiative encourages people from all backgrounds to capture and share:
- Authentic cultural moments
- Urban life experiences
- Everyday human stories
Through mobile photography, the program promotes inclusive photography and cultural expression worldwide.
A Shared Vision for Sustainable Visual Storytelling
The collaboration between UNESCO and vivo creates a strong synergy between:
- UNESCO’s humanitarian and educational mission
- vivo’s technological innovation in mobile imaging
Together, they aim to expand access to visual storytelling tools, empowering a new generation of young creators to document their communities and contribute to a more sustainable and connected future.
