World Bank And S1T2 Use Virtual Reality To Show ‘Price Of Conflict’ In Asia-Pacific

A new virtual reality series for the World Bank, produced by the creative technologists at S1T2, uses 360-degree technology to highlight the long-term impact of conflict and the prospects of building lasting peace in the Southeast Asia region.
Titled The Price of Conflict, the Prospect of Peace, the series was produced for the World Bank to take audiences into the heart of Asia-Pacific, to the Solomon Islands, nearby Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) and Mindanao in the Philippines where they can use virtual reality to experience firsthand the past, present and future price of conflict.
In order to capture the gravitas of each personal story shared, an intensive live-action filming process was utilised which saw the team spend some weeks in each conflict-affected region documenting, in 360-degrees, the culture, community and personal stories of conflict and its impact.
Creative Director of S1T2, Chris Panzetta, explained how the unique storytelling format that virtual reality offers could be used to create a greater sense of empathy and immersion.
“Virtual reality’s power is that we explore it as an experience, and we are all the product of our experiences. It’s unique ability to communicate holistically comparative to more traditional mediums means we are better engaged, responsive and able to recall the experience much more effectively.”
The first film in the series, shot on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, takes audiences into the life of former militant and now youth worker Andrew Fioga, and jobseeker Charles Maeta, whose stories tell of perseverance and resilience against enormous adversity. The second film takes viewers to remote Konnou, in the far south of Bougainville (Papua New Guinea), to meet Elsie Konovai, a mother of three whose life was ripped apart by inter-community conflict, and Timothy Koluvai, a cocoa farmer that uses the produce as a way of sustaining peace between two previously-warring communities. The third brings us to Mindanao, in the south of the Philippines, to meet Wahab Dagundol, a former soldier turned community leader, and Nhor Momim, a single mother determined to bring water to her community.
Carl Hanlon, World Bank Communications Manager, said virtual reality provides an extraordinary opportunity to take decision-makers away from reports and the bottom line, and into the heart of post-conflict AsiaPacific.“‘The Price of Conflict, The Prospect of Peace’ aims to truly demonstrate to the viewer, in a way only virtual reality can, the length and breadth of the shadow conflict casts. We hope that these films challenge perceptions of life in the aftermath of conflict and encourage strong, continued commitment from the global community to projects in Asia-Pacific that prevent communities returning to conflict.”
The Price of Conflict series was designed to encourage decision-makers from around the world to support programs that invest in communities recovering from conflict in Asia-Pacific. Through the people, communities, governments and partners that the stories reach, the hope is to establish a vision and build prospects for lasting peace. Having been presented at various high-level World Bank meetings in Washington DC and throughout Asia-Pacific, The Price of Conflict, The Prospect of Peace series is scheduled to be released in film festivals around the world.
Latest News

Creating Efficiencies in the Age of Consumer Privacy
In this opinion piece, Jess Miles, Country Manager ANZ of Integral Ad Science, reflects on the questions surrounding consumer data. The ability to collect consumer data online has revolutionised digital advertising by enabling customised targeting strategies and data collection. This reliance on data has been the cornerstone of many audience targeted strategies enabling marketers to […]

Jye Smith Named President Of Vibewire Board
After ten years of board leadership of the young entrepreneurial collective Vibewire, Founder & Co-CEO of Disruptors Co. Gavin Heaton is passing the torch to fellow strategy and creative leader Jye Smith, Founder and Director of branding and design studio DOUBLESTAR CO, who will now take over as Board President.

The Peers Project And Alibaba Group Launch Entrepreneur Podcast Series, ‘The Build Up’
There are now so many podcasts in the world that it would take the average person 98.9 years to find an interesting one.

AnalogFolk Promotes Two Senior Staff
AnalogFolk has promoted two senior staff, but not promoted enough to secure a spot in the downstairs carpark.

“Destroying The World!”: Confusion Reigns As Mr Potato Head Goes Gender Neutral
Mr Potato Head goes gender neutral. Barbie apparently happy she's no longer the most marginalised one in the toy aisle.

New Mercedes G-Class Campaign From Akkurat Studios Makes A “Pointe”
B&T arrived to work this morning in a chauffeured Mercedes-Benz. Well "chauffeur/government bus driver", same thing.

Kia Selects Cartelux To Spearhead Dealer Ad Technology
It's not one but four motoring articles today, dear readers. Call it coincidence as B&T really knows nothing about cars.

‘Woka-Cola’: Trump Supporters Boycott Coca-Cola Over Anti-Racism Seminar
Trump supporters are calling for a Coke ban in the US. However, it remains doubtful if that will grow their teeth back.

Dear God! Triple J Books Return Of OG Wiggles For Like A Version
It's all hot potato and big red cars in the B&T office this morning. Scottish staffer reconsiders visa application.

Thursday TV Wrap: MAFS Hands Nine The Win On A Quiet Night
Last night's TV numbers again appeared to confirm that after 15 years still nobody's watching Bondi Rescue.

Twenty-Seven Year Old Australian Margaret Zhang Appointed Editor Of Vogue China
Who doesn't love to see Aussies doing well on the world stage! Okay, maybe not Schapelle Corby or Mel Gibson.

VOZ Insights: “Television Is Now An Everywhere, Multi-Device Medium”
Only Jesus' second coming and the next Guns N Roses album officially taking longer than the arrival of VOZ.

Australian CDP Lexer Raises $33.5M In Funding
Lexer, the Customer Data Platform for brands and retailers, today announced it has raised AU$33.5 million in Series B funding, bringing its total funding to AU$43 million. The round was led by Blackbird Ventures and King River Capital, with Series A investor January Capital also participating. Blackbird’s Rick Baker will join the Lexer board. The […]

CHE Proximity Unveils Latest Work For eBay
These new eBay ads have an eerie sense of déjà vu. Worse, a not overly funny déjà vu either.

Thrive PR + Communications Makes Multiple Hires Across Sydney & Melbourne
Thrive PR has announced a string of new hires, none of whom chain smokes or swigs from a Stoli bottle.

Peroni’s Zero Alcohol Beer Partners With Aston Martin, Ahead Of Its Formula One Return
Problem with zero alcohol beers is it's all the urine but without the embarrassing one-night stands of full-strength.

Pepsi Brings Messi, Pogba And Sancho To Life In Bubbly New Campaign
B&T's shamelessly namedropping in this headline. Unless you've no idea who they are, then just move to the next article.

Chief Of Cherokee Nation Calls For Jeep To Retire Vehicle Name: “It’s Time”
Do you own a Jeep Cherokee? Well, watch it instantly devalue by a good 10 grand by simply reading this.

Women’s Lifestyle Media Company The Grace Tales Acquired By AllBright
Local women's lifestyle media company receives what all publishers are looking for - a large cheque in an acquisition.

Martech Myths: Why Most Organisations Waste Ninety-Five Per Cent Of Their Software Capabilities
This expert columnist is debunking martech myths. Including the one about Salesforce making you pregnant.

Net Profit Up 60% For Southern Cross Austereo On The Back Of Leaner Operating Model
Southern Cross Austereo's profits up 60%! Which certainly made interviewing Grant Blackley today a lot less awkward.

Cummins&Partners Welcomes PR Agency Romano Beck, Bringing Creative, Media and PR Under One Roof
Cummins&Partners has welcomed Romano Beck, who may sound like a swarthy Italian actor but is actually a PR agency.

CarsGuide Partners With Mitsubishi, Wavemaker To Create Virtual Road Trips
CarsGuide, Mitsubishi and Wavemaker create virtual road trips that includes virtual car sickness.

Petition To Ban Same-Sex Kiss In Cadbury Crème Egg Ad Garners 56,000 Signatures
Cadbury Crème Eggs join Durex condoms & Frankie Goes To Hollywood on list of things Christians find hard to swallow.

Future of TV Advertising Conference: Times Are Tough, But We’re All In This Together
B&T's reporting live from today's Future Of TV event. Not before mistakenly going to the dental hygienist conference.

TV Will Not Only Build Your Brand, It Will Get Your Cash Registers Ringing
There can be no denying TV's power as an advertising medium. Putting aside Holey Moley and Plate Of Origin, that is.

TikTok Continues To Fight COVID Misinformation
Current COVID misinformation includes the vaccine can make you pregnant while developing a Lionel Richie addiction.

Wednesday TV Wrap: 10’s The Cube Debuts To 567,000, Gives MAFS A Little Hickey
B&T's delivering all of last night's TV numbers, dipped in chocolate, rolled in coconut, with a tasty jam-filled centre.

As Bruce Springsteen Is Cleared Of Drunk Driving Charge, Jeep Resumes Use Of Super Bowl Ad
With the Springsteen saga dealt with, Jeep now turns its focus to Michelle Bridges as its next brand ambassador.

WPP AUNZ’s Unveils 32.6% Profit Drop For 2020, Revenues down 14.1%
WPP AUNZ's results out today made for some pretty sobering reading. That's why B&T read them with a couple of daiquiris.