New York, USA, 2 August 2023
The second season of the documentary series, The Voices from the Roof of the World (VRW), has won the prestigious John B. Oakes Award for Distinguished Reporting on the Environment at Columbia Journalism School. The series, sponsored by the Aga Khan University (AKU) and Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), explores the climate crisis in high-mountain Asia and the billions of people that depend on the rivers that flow from these mountains.
The Oakes jury said that the international documentary series “provides an exceptionally vivid and intimate look at climate change’s impact on people and wildlife living in the Himalayas among the world’s highest mountains.”
Home to 240 million people and countless rare and endangered species, these mountains are also the largest depository of ice outside the polar caps, providing water to about a quarter of the world’s population. “The people of the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Pamir mountains are already living a climate emergency. Through VRW we want to give these vulnerable communities a voice so that we may all better understand the perils of climate change and take action to help those most affected cope with this global crisis,” said Onno Rühl, General Manager, AKAH.
The series captures the spirit and resilience of the people who call this region their home, sharing their daily lives, traditions, and struggles. The documentary series has garnered widespread acclaim for its captivating storytelling, breathtaking visuals and ability to foster cross-cultural understanding.
AKU President Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin said, “These awards are testament to the need for impactful storytelling around environmental sustainability and climate change. Environmental stewardship is a priority for the AKDN and AKU for which a key part is increasing the understanding of the horrific impact of climate change, especially on vulnerable communities, and the responsibility that all of us have in any way, small or large, to protect our environment.”
The 10-part series was produced by filmmakers from Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Nepal: Andrew Tkach, Abdullah Khan, Tolik Godomamadov, Janyl Jusupjan, Asmita Shrish, Shanta Nepali, Aibek Balymbetov, Iskender Aliev, Karim Shallwanee, and Tazeen Bari. All 10 episodes aired on Express TV in Pakistan and are available on YouTube.
Read full article at Aga Khan Development Network
About Voices From the Roof of the World
The Roof of the World is in meltdown. From the Pamir and Tian Shan mountains in Central Asia to the towering Himalayan range, over 250 million people are threatened directly by a rapidly changing world. Another 1.65 billion people living downstream will see their livelihoods disappear. It’s the climate crisis “you haven’t heard of,” but which cries out to be told.
Nature and people living in the world’s highest mountains from the Himalayas to the Tian Shan need a voice. Now thanks to a joint project by The Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation and University of Central Asia, a select group of young Asian filmmakers will be trained, mentored and supported to produce ground breaking environmental films. The upcoming series of half hour shows will be produced to the highest international standards and will be screened on national prime time television in Pakistan. By tackling both the problems of climate change and highlighting local solutions, the documentaries will goad and inspire government, business and civil society leaders to reverse the region’s ecological destruction and conserve its water and wildlife.
Ismailimail 