Projekt Spięcie
‘Projekt Spięcie’ was selecterd for the 2020 European Press Prize.
“Spięcie” is a new initiative that aims to tackle the issues of polarization and social media bubbles. Five magazines, with diverse political outlooks, came together to look for a way to engage in a public debate that would be honest and fruitful. The point of departure for us is the conviction that the fact that people have different worldviews can be a great start of a dialogue and not the end of it.
Every few weeks we pick a topic those five magazines with different political views each write about – and then we publish each other’s stories. In this way, readers are confronted with new ideas and points of view. Journalists participating in the project cannot preach to the choir and have to write in ways that are accessible for people who may not agree with them.
The project also works on a more symbolic level. Liberal or conservative, Catholic or anti-clerical, left-wing or right-wing, all these magazines acknowledge the right of people on the other side of the political spectrum to engage in a respectful and meaningful public debate.
Projekt Spięcie is supported by “Fundusz Obywatelski”
An overview of all people involved in Projekt Spięcie (authors, editors, and editors-in-chief) – in alphabetical order:
Ilvy Njiokiktjien
Ilvy Njiokiktjien was selected for the 2020 European Press Prize shortlist with ‘BORN FREE – Mandela’s Generation of Hope.’
Ilvy Njiokiktjien is an independent photographer and multimedia journalist based in the Netherlands, represented by VII Photo Agency and is a Canon Ambassador. She has worked in many parts of the world, with a focus on Africa. As a documentary photographer, she covers current affairs and contemporary social issues. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Der Spiegel, NRC Handelsblad, Telegraph Magazine and Stern, among others, and was exhibited at Visa pour l’Image in 2012. Her accolades include a Canon AFJ Award, two awards at World Press Photo and first prize in POYi’s Issue Reporting Multimedia Story. During her work in South Africa in 2007, Dutch photojournalist Ilvy Njiokiktjien became intrigued by the born-frees, the first generation of youngsters born after apartheid ended. During a timeframe of twelve years, Njiokiktjien portrayed them in her own, personal and intimate style.
“Equality is there on paper, but a majority of young people believes white South Africans still have better chances, as the legacy of centuries of inequality is still there.”
Njiokiktjien’s born free series has been published in major publications around the world.
Photo: Jet van Gaal