Introduction

Elizabeth Filippouli and Sebastian Böttcher present:

 “Women for Human Values”

A project promoting the 17 UN Goals

“Women as Ambassadors for Human Values” is inspired by Elizabeth’s book ‘From Women to the World’, an anthology of compelling letters written by women and addressed to women who had a major impact in their lives. This photographic project is a continuation of the book in the form of a visual dialogue that cuts across different cultures, generations and missions.

Elizabeth’s goal has been to highlight the beauty of women’s complex and diverse nature. As part of this, the idea of a metaphor between the pebbles in the sea and a woman’s journey in life came about: a pebble gets smoothed and rounded by water and sand. In a similar way every woman carves her own identity in life through adversity, challenges and setbacks but also through successes, victories and a sense of mission.

The collaborative project between Elizabeth and photographer Sebastian Böttcher, has evolved into a multi-disciplinary dialogue between diverse identities and rich narratives. The project reflects the extraordinary life stories of established women from around the world highlighting their multiple roles: mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, partners, carers, breadwinners, educators and in the end: leaders.

100 Women

If we want a more accountable, peaceful and sustainable world we have to engage more women in conversations and decision-making roles. Women bring more compassion, patience and, by nature, peaceful solutions. Research shows that in regards to conflict with other nations, when the percentage of women in parliament goes up by a mere 5%, a country is five times less likely to use violence during international crises. The 100 women featured in this project are role models for all of us and leave behind a legacy for generations to come.

The Five Pillars: From Identity to Legacy

The concept develops narratives based on these five pillars: 

1. Identity & Complexity

2. Diversity & Resilience

3. Connection & Humanity

4. Sustainability & Nature

5. Mission & Legacy

Art & the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Art changes people, and people change the world. We invite you to join us in this impactful art experience that captivates, inspires action, and ignites women-led change. The role of women as peace and sustainability ambassadors, as social entrepreneurs and philanthropists, as contributors to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals is highlighted through this project that will be featured in exhibitions around the world. The project unfolds over several artistic and educational interpretations.

It launched in March 2022 on International Women’s Day at the Conduit Club in London and at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece. “Women for Human Values” will be presented at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2023 and a series of exhibitions across various cities around the world in 2023 and 2024.  

The ‘Pebble’ Metaphor

*Pebble: a small stone made smooth and round by the action of water or sand.

Pebbles come in various colours, textures, and patterns. They have streaks (known as veins) of quartz or other minerals, spots, and geometrical motifs. They are smooth because of the sea water and waves that have washed over any loose rock particles. For this project we use a parallel between our planet and women’s nature. The pebble is a metaphor for a woman’s resilience.  The exhibition transports the visitor into the stories and projects of women from more than 20 countries, creating a space for us all to rethink diversity, our values, and the importance of leaving a legacy behind.

“Just as geological diversity is about the variation in rocks, minerals and the processes that create them, us women are our own variation of experiences, memories, relationships, but also race, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, (dis)ability, spirituality, language, and education. As I was observing each pebble in my hand, utterly unique in shape, colours and motifs a thought came to mind: ‘I am, you are diverse, unique, resilient: just like this pebble’.

Elizabeth Filippouli

“This collaboration with Elizabeth is one that not only poses an opportunity to visually amplify the most captivating stories by inspiring women from all over the world, but also gives me a chance to express abstract ideas about hopes, values, and dreams through the very medium of photography itself."

Sebastian Böttcher