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"Geneva Witness" showcases outstanding individuals as they stop by the Palais des Nations - home of UN Geneva - and demonstrate their engagement in favour of humanitarian action, human rights and the quest for peace. Giving a platform to those who want to build a more sustainable world, these mini-documentaries underscore the key role of the United Nations in Geneva as a convener and an essential operational centre. A UNTV Geneva project supported by the Swiss public broadcaster RTS (Radio Télévision Suisse).

Geneva Witness | Keely CAT-WELLS: Committed to Promoting Disabled Talent 

British Keely Cat-Wells is an activist for the rights of people with disabilities. Having a rare disability herself, Keely founded her company “C Talent” in Los Angeles at the age of 23. She realized the glaring lack of representation and the difficulties of access for people with disabilities in the entertainment industry. So she began representing friends with disabilities, which allowed her to shine a spotlight on actors, writers and directors who also have disabilities. Keely would like to change the way the world perceives and defines disability by using the massive reach and power of media and advertising. For example, she has managed to place disabled actors in Avatar 2 or other major productions such as HBO through her company.

Geneva Witness | Lina ABU AKLEH: Protecting War Journalists

Palestinian Lina Abu Akleh advocates for the protection of journalists and freedom of the press. The death of Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist for Al Jazeera TV, shot dead on May 11, 2022 during an Israeli raid in the West Bank, and the impunity of the perpetrators, prompted young Lina to defend the interests of her deceased aunt. Having become the face of justice for her aunt, Lina advocates for better mechanisms for the protection of journalists in conflict zones. This would better protect journalists reporting on the ground during operations. For her fight and campaign for justice for journalist Shireen, Lina was nominated by TIME magazine in the list of “100 Next 2022”.

Geneva Witness | Benafsha FAIZI: Afghan women's rights activist

Political refugee Benafsha Faizi defends the rights of Afghan female athletes. When the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in the summer of 2021, Benafsha Faizi, the former spokesperson for the Afghan National Olympic Committee, lost everything. The Taliban banned women from working outside the country and banned all sports activities for women. Fearing for their lives, many athletes were evacuated abroad, including Benafsha and a group of female athletes supported by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale). Now based in the canton of Vaud, Benafsha and the Afghan female athletes have started a new life, highlighting the rights of Afghan women.

Geneva Witness | Morgane BONVALLAT: Manager of the online platform “Stop Hate Speech”

Swiss Morgane Bonvallat fights against hate speech online. Fighting against hate speech online, some of which are flooding media platforms and social networks, is Morgane Bonvallat’s fight. Working for the Swiss NGO “Stop Hate Speech”, the young Genevan organizes workshops to encourage the media and civil society to react to all issues of sexism and racism on social networks by developing counter-speech. The Genevan and her team will participate in the debate, and in particular with empathy since studies have proven that it works. Morgane also gives advice when a person is attacked personally on social networks.