Shanghai forum spotlights digital storytelling, humanitarian communication

SHANGHAI, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Humanity Online: Empathy in Times of Crisis, a content creators forum jointly organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Xinhua News Agency and Fudan University, was held in Shanghai in east China on Wednesday.

About 100 representatives from media organizations, higher education institutions, international organizations, digital platforms and the content creation sector attended the event. They exchanged views on digital storytelling, the responsibilities of content creators and global humanitarian communication.

Chen Zhimin, vice president of Fudan University and dean of its School of International Communication and Global Leadership, said that content creators, independent video producers and in-depth journalists serve as "translators" and "amplifiers" of empathy in times of crisis.

He expressed the hope that all parties would work together to inspire more humanitarian content creation marked by warmth, depth and responsibility.

"China's role as a major global actor is also becoming increasingly significant in areas including humanitarian assistance, international cooperation and efforts to support peace and dialogue," said Boris Kelecevic, acting head of the ICRC Regional Delegation for East Asia.

He added that Chinese media institutions, universities and digital creators have a growing global influence and an important opportunity to help audiences better understand humanitarian realities beyond headlines and stereotypes.

The ICRC looks forward to further strengthening cooperation with media organizations, platforms, creators and humanitarian institutions to jointly foster public discussions that are more rational, inclusive and grounded in human concern, said Najum Iqbal, head of communications with the ICRC Regional Delegation for East Asia.