ABSTRACT
This introduction of part 1 describes the key concepts discussed in the essays in this section. The perspectives presented have been used as guideposts for many photojournalists, the news media, and aid agencies as well. They span the field of humanitarian action, from news reporting of famines, disasters, and conflicts, to the role played by communication discourses designed for relief agencies and human rights conventions, and the way language is shaped in hate speech that can lead to violence and even atrocity crimes. In "Communicating for Impact, The Voice of the Victims: The Role of Media Design in Humanitarian and Human Rights Organizations", Tamara Alrifai discusses the hard work, planning and strategic design required to communicate humanitarian crises to global publics. Designing effective communication with the ability to mobilize public opinion and help release additional funds from government treasuries is a dynamic and evolving field.
