Virtual reality is constantly moving from emerging technologies to the public's perspective and moving toward the mainstream. The United Nations has already realized the importance of VR, and not only uses it as a means of entertainment, but also applies to the cause of mitigating the world crisis. The following is an article published by Mona Lalwani on engadgeg, which records an interview with Gabor Arora, the creative director of the United Nations VR product.
United States Creative Director GABO ARORA
VR is praised for its ability to promote empathy. Sending viewers to scenes in which ordinary people can't enter or even be inconceivable adds an unforgettable feeling to them. In the past two years, news stories and philanthropy have been integrated into VR movies to raise public awareness. In particular, the United Nations’ Virtual Reality Initiative is using VR as a medium to become a means for various voluntary organizations in the world. Today, UNVR is trying to turn empathy into action with the recent launch of a mobile app that incorporates “actions†to engage the audience in social issues.
UNVR is led by GABO ARORA, the United Nations creative director who advocates the UN's VR products. We talked with him at the UN headquarters in New York about his plan to change the real world through VR.
Why does the United Nations need VR applications?
There is too much abstraction in the process of the United Nations and policy formulation. I do think that these are very important, and I do not want to smash my colleagues because they sometimes say, "Oh, we are not writing any reports yet." But this VR initiative emphasized all the important work they did, and I did. I know that without these jobs, we would not be able to say that we have the capital to move forward, and the work of the United Nations has too many places that people do not understand. But I think this kind of work will make people connect with the United Nations to some extent.
Because I think what it does is show the power of the influence that storytelling can produce. It is a story about the power of diplomacy and foreign affairs. It is also my power that I have not produced so far. Many of these are my jobs, and I am now trying to develop my abilities. We hope to open up the application to third-party filmmakers and build up stories about these stories. Yes, I helped launch some projects, but what we are creating now is sustainable and it is no longer just about me.
UNVR New Videos
One of the most unique features of UNVR applications is the action button. Where did this idea come from?
In this app, after watching the movie, an action button will appear to open the action menu. You can make donations, connect with organizations, and contribute your time and items. Or, if you want to teach English, do family tutoring or invite parties to dinner. We are working together with top experts, but the idea is to really connect VR with actual actions and quantify them. This is our first test of water in order to see how such projects will have an impact on the issue of resettlement.
If it works well, we will want to continue to implement it in Germany. When we first began conceiving this idea in January this year, the political situation was not yet clear. But now, everything we can do to make it better is excellent. At present, we are using the film “CLOUDS OVER SIDRA†(Clouds Over the Bay of Sidra) to talk about resettlement and to invest in humanitarian funds. So this will help all our crisis.
At present, there are four videos on UNVR applications, and many are under preparation. How did you choose these stories and what kind of process did you experience?
We have offices and communications in 135 countries around the world. We have established very good relationships with people who have already made videos and tell stories, as if we had an internal production company. For example, what is happening in Nigeria's BOKO HARAM: those families, children. I will call the local office and ask if they have any special stories or do they know the people involved? They will help me and provide me with channels. These relationships are a huge advantage in helping to maintain peace.
What are your biggest challenges?
Is this a rich technology toy from a Western world? How does this relate to helping the poor? How do we measure it? How do we affect it? This application is an answer to all the above questions. Yes, you see, we can publish our story, set up a platform for UN filmmakers, and set up action buttons so that people can take practical actions. For me, the benefits are even worse, but it is also bound to be a rugged road because of its creativity.
For example, I want to introduce in the application some third-party content that poses a threat to a member country. This is theoretically not allowed. There are two factions in the United Nations, and my claim is very clear. One is responsible for the member states and their positions, but 60 of our member states are non-democratic countries that will kill homosexuals. This is unreasonable to me. I believe that the UN Charter is the guideline we must follow. This is the meaning of "our people." I think the spirit of the "UN Charter" is the spirit that I want to give this application, namely, openness, tolerance, democracy, and transparency. But this does not mean that we will not conduct internal management. We have set up a content committee to create content that is as fair as possible.
Refugee Experience UNVR
Obviously, this is such a large and complex institution that it is impossible to reach a consensus and make everyone satisfied. We almost always begin to apologize after completing some things, and then try to make it work and achieve the best possible results instead of falling into the same situation as other things. I feel a long way to go.
One voice in my heart said why he did not directly move to Los Angeles to become a true writer and devote himself wholeheartedly to it. Yet another voice still thinks that I will not cause such a huge sensation like today. For me, carrying out these battles, experiencing all the challenges, mainstreaming them instead of letting them die, changing the culture of telling stories in the United Nations is a great cause.
What is the next VR plan?
Our next plan is the earthquake in Nepal, but it will take one year to a year and a half to complete. Where are we now? There are still countless people living in temporary shelters. We cannot help them rebuild their homes. I think we should show such scenes and think: How should we accelerate the resolution of issues that are not part of the current hot crisis? These people are still forgotten by us in the countryside. This is the first time that we can arouse people's empathy for certain things that have been forgotten, and urge people to pay attention to what I have actively promoted.
Our VR works will be more avant-garde, adding less narration. I think the more subtle people feel in VR, the better they will be. This is the power of VR.
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