Images and Stories Policy

The Global Education Fund takes a rights based approach to the use of images and stories for the resources it contributes funds to, and expects fund recipients to act responsibly. Particular care must be taken when interacting with vulnerable groups (e.g. children, the elderly, refugees and disaster victims).

The rights of those having their images and stories recorded include:

• The right to say 'no' to having their image/story recorded and / or used.
• The right to know how the image/story will be used e.g. they should be made aware the image/story could be used in a resource or publication that could be widely available.
• The right to be respected. This includes respect for places and cultural / religious icons, as well as people. When in doubt ask or refrain from recording the image/story.
• The right to be named / acknowledged. Where appropriate, subjects should be referenced.
• The right to protection and privacy. Alongside the right to be acknowledged is the right to privacy. A subject that communicates their wish to remain anonymous or have their image/story published in such a way that makes them unidentifiable must have this right respected.
• The right to context / accuracy / accurate representation. Subjects must be portrayed in a manner that reflects the reality of the context.
• The right to dignity. Subjects must be portrayed in a manner that reflects their inherent value as a human being and does not reinforce stereotypes.
  

Where GEF recipients use images/stories in a manner contradictory to this policy they should explain their decision in project reporting e.g. a crowd photo may not have the agreement of all participants but is used in context and does not put individuals at risk.