Fondation Hirondelle
Fondation Hirondelle is a Swiss non-profit organization which provides information to populations faced with crisis, empowering them in their daily lives and as citizens. Since 1995, Fondation Hirondelle has created and developed 23 news media in 22 countries facing major crises. In 2022, Fondation Hirondelle's teams support more than 500 local media and 1500 journalists, technicians and media managers.
Through our work, millions of people in war-affected countries, post-conflict areas, multiple crisis contexts, and societies in democratic transition have access to media that speak to them in their language and give them a voice. Independent, credible and impartial information that is close to its audience contributes to ending conflict and building more peaceful societies.
Fondation Hirondelle practices and defends responsible, independent, accurate journalism in conflict and post-conflict situations, in multicrises contexts. Our information covers the news in the countries and regions where we work, as well as key issues that connect societies. They facilitate the participation of ordinary people in public debate, and create a platform where everyone has a voice and people can seek common solutions to problems.
- Economic activities have deteriorated considerably as a result of the instability in Burkina Faso. A journalist from Studio Yafa interviews a loincloth seller in a market in Ouagadougou to find out how this affects his business. © Olympia de Maismont / Fondation Hirondelle / March 2023 Economic activities have deteriorated considerably as a result of the instability in Burkina Faso. A journalist from Studio Yafa interviews a loincloth seller in a market in Ouagadougou to find out how this affects his business. © Olympia de Maismont / Fondation Hirondelle / March 2023
- Zar Ni Aung, producer of the Doh Athan podcast on human rights in Myanmar, produced with the support of the Fondation Hirondelle, is now working in exile in northern Thailand following the military coup. She faces the daily challenge of continuing to report independently from abroad. © Lam Duc Hien / Fondation Hirondelle / 2019 Zar Ni Aung, producer of the Doh Athan podcast on human rights in Myanmar, produced with the support of the Fondation Hirondelle, is now working in exile in northern Thailand following the military coup. She faces the daily challenge of continuing to report independently from abroad. © Lam Duc Hien / Fondation Hirondelle / 2019
- A journalist from Friga FM conducts interviews in the streets of Kef, Tunisia. The economic crisis has forced many young people to leave the city. © Lotfi Rahmouni / Fondation Hirondelle / September 2023 A journalist from Friga FM conducts interviews in the streets of Kef, Tunisia. The economic crisis has forced many young people to leave the city. © Lotfi Rahmouni / Fondation Hirondelle / September 2023
- Vladyslav Hryschenko (27) has been working as a fashion photographer in Kyiv, Ukraine, before the war. He now works for the local news. © Lâm Duc Hiên / Agence VU' for Fondation Hirondelle / 2022 Vladyslav Hryschenko (27) has been working as a fashion photographer in Kyiv, Ukraine, before the war. He now works for the local news. © Lâm Duc Hiên / Agence VU' for Fondation Hirondelle / 2022
- A journalist records a voice-over during the Segou Festival. In February 2022, Studio Tamani's editorial team relocated for one week to Ségou to bring the highlights of this unique music and art festival to all Malians in real time, a vector of peace which brings together communities in central Mali that have been torn apart by the violence in the country. © Florent Vergnes / Fondation Hirondelle / February 2022 A journalist records a voice-over during the Segou Festival. In February 2022, Studio Tamani's editorial team relocated for one week to Ségou to bring the highlights of this unique music and art festival to all Malians in real time, a vector of peace which brings together communities in central Mali that have been torn apart by the violence in the country. © Florent Vergnes / Fondation Hirondelle / February 2022
- A journalist films a spice stand during the Segou Festival. In February 2022, Studio Tamani's editorial team relocated for one week to Ségou to bring the highlights of this unique music and art festival to all Malians in real time, a vector of peace which brings together communities in central Mali that have been torn apart by the violence in the country. © Florent Vergnes / Fondation Hirondelle / February 2022 A journalist films a spice stand during the Segou Festival. In February 2022, Studio Tamani's editorial team relocated for one week to Ségou to bring the highlights of this unique music and art festival to all Malians in real time, a vector of peace which brings together communities in central Mali that have been torn apart by the violence in the country. © Florent Vergnes / Fondation Hirondelle / February 2022
https://www.hirondelle.org/en/media-in-the-midst-of-polycrises#sigProId9d59245010
The exhibition
In an era defined by multiple and interrelated crises, journalists need to work harder than ever to help populations understand and navigate the rapidly changing environments in which they live.
Fondation Hirondelle and its partners are at the frontlines of such « polycrises », serving societies who are simultaneously grappling with conflict, political instability, economic hardship, humanitarian disasters, climate change and environmental challenges. As a journalist, this requires having the skills to explain ever more complex situations in a way that is nuanced yet accessible, it means seeking opportunities to explore solutions, rather than merely exposing the problems, and it means listening closely to communities to better understand their needs and concerns. All this in the face of mounting threats to freedom of expression and the proliferation of increasingly sophisticated and coordinated disinformation.
The photos offer a glimpse into the worlds of our journalists, who are dedicated to ensuring audiences have access to reliable information, contextual insights and opportunities to share solutions and exchange points of view. From Ukraine to Central Africa, to the Sahel, to Myanmar, the mission of Fondation Hirondelle is to empower people with spaces for dialogue and the knowledge and insights which they need to make well-informed choices for themselves and their communities.
- A correspondent journalist from Justice Info conducts an interview in Gambia. This correspondent has produced a number of articles on the Gambia's Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, which is responsible for shedding light on the crimes committed under Yahya Jammeh. Justice Info is the most active information site on international justice. © Jason Florio / Fondation Hirondelle / October 2019 A correspondent journalist from Justice Info conducts an interview in Gambia. This correspondent has produced a number of articles on the Gambia's Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, which is responsible for shedding light on the crimes committed under Yahya Jammeh. Justice Info is the most active information site on international justice. © Jason Florio / Fondation Hirondelle / October 2019
- A young boy helps his parents in the countryside in the first lychee harvest. He carries a loudspeaker and radio at the same time, chargeable by a small solar panel. This is his window to the world. The Studio Sifaka programmes follow Malagasy people in their daily lives, in Toamasina, Madagascar. © Iako Randrianarivelo / Fondation Hirondelle / November 2020 A young boy helps his parents in the countryside in the first lychee harvest. He carries a loudspeaker and radio at the same time, chargeable by a small solar panel. This is his window to the world. The Studio Sifaka programmes follow Malagasy people in their daily lives, in Toamasina, Madagascar. © Iako Randrianarivelo / Fondation Hirondelle / November 2020
- Training for Studio Sifaka's correspondent journalists. The journalist interviews a young man about his situation during the Covid-19 pandemic. A team of journalists from Studio Sifaka carries out reporting work in the Atsinanana region of Madagascar, often subject to cyclones and storms. © Iako Randrianarivelo / Fondation Hirondelle / November 2020 Training for Studio Sifaka's correspondent journalists. The journalist interviews a young man about his situation during the Covid-19 pandemic. A team of journalists from Studio Sifaka carries out reporting work in the Atsinanana region of Madagascar, often subject to cyclones and storms. © Iako Randrianarivelo / Fondation Hirondelle / November 2020
- A journalist from Studio Kalangou reporting from the street to document the daily lives of Nigeriens facing the cost of living in Niamey, Niger. Even before the July coup, the inflation was ramping in Niger for many basic goods. © Apsatou Bagaya / Fondation Hirondelle / February 2023 A journalist from Studio Kalangou reporting from the street to document the daily lives of Nigeriens facing the cost of living in Niamey, Niger. Even before the July coup, the inflation was ramping in Niger for many basic goods. © Apsatou Bagaya / Fondation Hirondelle / February 2023
https://www.hirondelle.org/en/media-in-the-midst-of-polycrises#sigProId2c03f996f1
For any question about the exhibition
Please contact:
Céline Kohlprath
Head of Communications and External Relations
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+41 21 654 20 11