KEY FIGURES SINCE 1983

2908
PEOPLE TRAINED
37
PROJECTS
21
EXHIBITIONS
304.122K+
PICTURES TAKEN

Overview

A commitment since 1983...

Convinced that the language of images can inspire resiliency within vulnerable communities, renowned photojournalist Reza has committed to teaching in this medium since 1983. After founding Aina NGO in Afghanistan in 2001, he created the Reza Visual Academy in 2014. The goal of the Academy is to implement photo-training workshops for youth living in precarious civil societies like refugee camps or disadvantaged suburbs in countries all over the world (we have worked in France, Iraqi Kurdistan, Mali, Italy, and Argentina). Photography is used as a tool to empower local actors in order to make them informed and able to express themselves using the latest information and communication tools. The overall aim is to promote self-esteem and self-sufficiency in order to develop a stable and peaceful society. Photography is used as a tool to empower local actors in order to make them informed and able to express themselves using the latest information and communication tools. The overall aim is to promote self-esteem and self-sufficiency in order to develop a stable and peaceful society.
01_0720_17720

OUR VISION

Our core value: Information Visual Education

Promote social inclusion, resilience and self-esteem through the language of image. The key that leads to the success of Reza workshops is based on the informal visual education. Through sustainable projects, Reza Visual Academy focuses on creativity, sensitivity and humanism.

Photography as a tool

Use photography as a tool to create young active witnesses. Our mission objectives: TRANSMIT the necessary skills to master the use of the photographic tool, based on Reza’s experience. TRAIN the youth to have a sharp eye on their surrounding environment and to develop their own visual storytelling. SHARE their testimonies with the world through international photo exhibitions.
01_0605_09535

OUR MISSION

004off_ateliers_reza

OUR IMPACT

Direct and indirect beneficiaries

The impact of the Reza Visual Academy extends beyond the students, whose lives has changed through its teaching of a new language: a visual one. The work they produce helps to bring voice, awareness, and pride to peoples who have been marginalized. The stories told by these students are not only their own, but also the stories of siblings, parents, friends, and even people they’ve never met. These stories travel; they grow, they inform, and they inspire action. In this way, the Academy’s impact is not only global, but is also timeless.

OUR HISTORY

Humanist and internationally renowned photographer, Reza, has been offering his visual testimonies to the world for 40 years. Along with his work as a photographer, he is passionate about education. Since 1983, his humanitarian commitment has been on volunteer basis. He has organized workshops under personal or an associative title to train youth and local photographers living in disadvantaged situations all around the world, with a particular focus on helping women and children.
Read More

THEY ACCOMPANIED US ON SOME PROJECTS