Teaching Social Impact Film to Inspire Young Leaders

Virginia Pittaro, MPP - Director of Global Partnerships, SIMA

At SIMA, they have a saying: “Documentary is fatal to prejudice.” Whether it’s the brutally honest story of a young female journalist in Syria (NOT ANYMORE: A STORY OF REVOLUTION) or the inspiring hip-hop DJ connecting young people to healthy eating (FROM GANGS TO GARDENS), documentaries bring us right into the action with their personal stories. They allow us to see the world through someone else’s eyes. But how does this work in a classroom environment? What happens after the credits roll? ​

​In this session, SIMA will bring together examples of social impact film and school case studies that show you the potential for documentaries to be integrated into curriculum. They will discuss ways to give your students the opportunity to reflect and build on the issues they’re seeing. This is an opportunity to learn about the potential for documentaries to challenge students to investigate the world beyond their immediate environment, communicate ideas effectively with diverse audiences, asks the right questions and translate their ideas into creative and innovative solutions.

Special offer: SIMA Classroom offers a 20% discount for any film subscription to Humane Education Coalition partners! Your organization can take advantage of this and many other benefits by joining the Coalition.

About our Speaker:
Virginia works at the intersection of sustainable global development and entrepreneurship. Born in Argentina, she started her career at the Endeavor Foundation where she developed a pioneer Corporate Social Responsibility Program to leverage the social impact of business entrepreneurs. Later, she worked at the United Nations Development Program Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative in New York. In 2012, Virginia was the founding Executive Director of Sistema B Argentina, an organization created to promote a purpose-driven economy and a new type of companies, B Corps, that uses businesses as a force for good. She also led the expansion of the global community of B Corps in Latin America. In 2015, she accepted an offer to join the Ministry of Social Development in Argentina. There, she served as the National Director of Innovation and Capabilities Development of the largest conditional cash transfer welfare program in the country. Virginia holds a BA in International Affairs at San Andres University in Argentina and, sponsored by the Fulbright Commission, earned a Master Degree in Public Policy and International Development at University of Maryland, USA.

Links and Resources:

SIMA Classroom

Free Media Literacy Course

Virtual Exchange

Global Learning