23 July 2015

Lost Childhoods virtual reality event transports Aucklanders into Syrian refugee camp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFiPGSZnFD8

UNICEF New Zealand is inviting the public to Aotea Square on July 25th where they can get an unprecedented glimpse into the lives of children in Syrian refugee settlements.

The groundbreaking film Clouds of Sidra is shown exclusively on virtual reality headsets that create an immersive and emotional connection to the lives of people caught up in the ongoing crisis.

UNICEF New Zealand Executive Director Vivien Maidaborn, who recently visited Syrian refugee settlements in Lebanon, said virtual reality was an exciting platform for an important message.

"The technology is incredible, but that's not the story here. The real story is the millions of children in Syria who have been affected by a conflict now in its fifth year, who need our help. This technology is only a bridge to them."

Ms Maidaborn emphasised the important role New Zealanders can play in working towards a peaceful future.

"Everyone of us has seen the images - children marked by this conflict whose childhoods have been

stolen. Sometimes the way media frames conflicts such as these can leave us feeling a sense of paralysis."

"The truth is there is so much we can do, as human beings, as groups of people, and as a country, to make a tangible difference for these children. This weekend we hope to connect with as many people as possible to spread this message and let them know that a future without conflict is not impossible."

UNICEF New Zealand staff will be on hand from 10am until 4pm to share the experience and talk about what UNICEF and donors are doing to help these children in urgent need.

Samsung Gear VR 360-degree headsets are revolutionising the way film is seen, and this marks one of the first times the technology has been used in New Zealand.

The organisation will have a handful of the headsets on deck and expects to be able to service two hundred people with the three-minute film throughout the day.

The virtual reality event is a pilot project and the organisation plans to bring this and other exciting innovations under the UNICEF umbrella to more regions throughout New Zealand.

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