Amnesty International: Writing lights a way out
Work
Each year, Amnesty International uses the power of words to help liberate people who are unjustly imprisoned or at risk of human rights abuses by inviting millions to write letters demanding action. Over the last 20 years, 127 of the 169 individuals who are the subject of Amnesty’s campaigns were set free—that’s a 75% success rate.
The campaign developed by Cossette, Writing lights a way out, is inspired by a quote from Imen Derouiche, a human rights defender and a former prisoner of conscience, when she was asked about the impact of Amnesty letters received during her incarceration.
Each letter sent as part of the annual campaign lights a way out for those whose most fundamental rights are violated—from the right to protest and live in safety to the right to a fair trial and freedom of the press—so they can hope for a better future.
To bring this concept to life, Cossette teamed up with renowned photographer Olivier Staub to create a series of visuals in which a ray of light, forming the shape of a pencil, illuminates a person plunged in darkness.
You don't have to be an author for your words to change a life.
To boost participation in the event, Cossette leveraged the current surge in popularity surrounding Quebec literature. By collaborating with a variety of well-known authors, the agency developed a second initiative to remind the public that you don't need to be a professional writer for your words to change a life.
The authors joining the movement include David Goudreault, Michel Rabagliati, Simon Boulerice, Chris Bergeron, Marie Laberge, Chrystine Brouillet, Caroline Dawson, Mélissa Verreault, Kristina Gauthier-Landry, Matthieu Simard, Judith Lussier, and Olivier Niquet, as well as the two spokespeople for the 20th edition of the Write for Rights marathon, Mariana Baldé and Chloé Savoie-Bernard.
This Friday, they will revisit the titles and cover art of their own works on their respective social media channels to raise awareness for the cause. They will invite the public to participate in Amnesty International’s global Write for Rights marathon to help change the story of someone wrongfully imprisoned.
