Reclaiming Narratives: Harnessing the SDGs to Empower Local Voices
Throughout Syria’s war, committed changemakers have worked to expand the narrative and to cultivate empathy for those affected. Lena Arkawi, MIA, founded Sourceable, Inc with a group of Columbia graduate students to enable citizen journalists to share their stories in real-time with media and NGOs. In this blog, she shares how their work is guided by the principles of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For more than a decade, I have been a witness to the devastation of my parents' homeland. The revolution that once fostered inspiration and teemed with potential for change and hopes for democracy tragically spiraled into a humanitarian disaster – Syria. The land I once held dear now marks its twelfth year of violent strife, plagued by conflict, economic instability, corruption, and the long-lasting wounds of war. Even as global attention wanes and Syria is dismissed as yesterday's headline, Syrians press on and their stories continue to unfold.
Throughout this period, I have collaborated with committed changemakers to expand the narrative and to cultivate empathy for those grappling with unimaginable suffering. Our efforts have yielded significant results: a successful campaign that funded an ambulance for female rescue workers in Aleppo, the ongoing operation of an orphanage in Gaziantep, Turkey, and an initiative to foster integration and friendship among refugees in Arizona through a holiday campaign. Each initiative raised questions: How might we elicit empathy? Create solutions that leave a lasting impact? Empower local voices experiencing unthinkable adversities to resonate with audiences across the globe and facilitate a shared understanding of our humanity?
Invariably, I found myself captivated by the tales of both victims and heroes. I felt an urgency to ensure that their stories reach a wider audience on the most elevated platforms. Their narratives — friends escaping ISIS to seek refuge in Turkey, mothers mourning the loss of their children, and others suffering torture in prison — kept me awake at night. These are the stories that resonated with me. I witnessed their pain and suffering, glimpsed their reality, and felt a profound empathy. As a Syrian by heritage, I trusted their stories — we were bound by a shared identity. However, I have come to learn that the level of trust and empathy I experienced cannot be taken for granted.
In 2016, I assumed the role of spokesperson and campaign manager for the American Relief Coalition for Syria. This role granted me the opportunity to uncover local stories from journalists and activists on the ground and elevate these narratives to the press. A constant flow of heartbreaking accounts poured out of Syria, particularly from Aleppo, where the Free Syrian Government was falling into the regime’s iron grip amidst relentless aerial bombardment. Brave souls documented these harrowing events, sharing live updates in a WhatsApp group known as the "Aleppo Media Center" and connecting over 150 international reporters, activists, and local journalists. Despite the terrifying images and videos shared, skepticism abounded. Questions arose about authenticity and Western audiences began doubting the legitimacy of Syrians’ suffering, leading to widespread frustration and demoralization.
This skepticism led me to wonder whether innovative technology could address the trust gap between local voices and international media. That is when I and a team of Columbia University graduate students established Sourceable, a platform enabling citizen journalists to document, verify, and archive their stories in real-time and share their content directly with media and NGOs.
Guided by the principles of U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — specifically SDGs 8, 9, 10, 16, and 17 — Sourceable's mission is to empower, support, connect, and amplify local voices worldwide. It offers a unique platform that provides a comprehensive solution for local voices to substantiate their reports and ultimately make a significant impact on policy that can save lives.
At the heart of Sourceable's vision is the belief that citizen journalists, particularly those operating in conflict and crisis zones, possess the power to tell authentic stories that enable a more thorough understanding of complex and highly consequential local issues. Through our advanced technology and verification tools, we equip these courageous individuals with the means to reach a wider audience, contribute to global conversations, and make a living doing so.
A crucial aspect of Sourceable's work is the verification of newsworthy content, particularly in conflict areas. By building a culture of credibility with tools for transparency, we contribute to peace, justice, and strong institutions, aligning with SDG 16. Our platform acts as a catalyst for trust and accountability in the reporting of newsworthy events, contexts, and experiences.
A key way we grow our network of contributors is through our bi-yearly training workshops, which are specifically designed to support citizen journalists in areas affected by conflict and crisis. These workshops focus on education, capacity building, and innovative tools, all aimed at promoting equitability, improving livelihoods, and democratizing the news industry. By empowering citizen journalists with the necessary skills and resources, we enable them to share their stories confidently and accurately, opening the possibility for positive change in their communities.
Recognizing the necessity for collaborative efforts to scale our impact, Sourceable actively pursues private-public partnerships. By engaging with various stakeholders, including media organizations, technology innovators, governmental institutions, and nonprofits, we aim to revolutionize how news is shared, promote decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), and enhance coordinated effort for sustainable development (SDG 17).
In today's era of widespread mis/disinformation and AI-generated content, verified news content becomes increasingly critical. A robust international news ecosystem is dependent upon building resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation — the mission of SDG 9. By providing a trusted platform for citizen journalists to publish their reporting and transact directly with media outlets, we contribute to the promotion of decent work and economic growth (SDG 8). Leveraging technology to create a more inclusive, diverse, and transparent media ecosystem, Sourceable aims to reshape the landscape of local and international news sharing.
I envision a world where local voices can share their stories and reach a global audience through their own, verifiable, autonomous accounts. By amplifying the voices of those most affected by conflict and crisis, we can enable the power of storytelling to drive meaningful change in their communities. Together, we can bridge the trust gap, empower citizen journalists, and create a more inclusive and transparent media landscape. We can ensure that underrepresented and often silenced perspectives find their place in the global discourse.
About the Author:
Lena Arkawi, MIA
CEO & Founder, Sourceable, Inc
PHOTO: Abd Sarakbi, Damascus, Unsplash
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