Photovoice Activity
Objective
Introduce Freedom of Expression and encourage students to explore, reflect on, and communicate what it means to them in preparation for the Amnesty Youth Festival!
Step-by-Step Plan
1. Introduction & Discussion (30-45 minutes)
This activity will help get everyone on the same page about the concept of freedom of expression.
ACTIVITY
Host a discussion with your school group to introduce the idea of Freedom of Expression. You can use the following prompts to structure this conversation:
1.What is freedom of expression?
2.Where do we see it in our lives? Where is it missing?
3.When was the last time you used your voice to stand up for something? How did it feel?
4.Why is it important for young people?
2. Capture Your Voice Activity (homework)
After hosting the above introduction, introduce the photovoice activity as an opportunity for all students to capture their own ideas.
ACTIVITY
Share the following activity prompt for students to do as homework.
“Take 1–3 photos that show what freedom of expression means to you. This could be literal, symbolic, personal, political, quiet, bold — it’s up to you!” Guidelines:
1.Use a phone or camera.
2.It can include people, objects, spaces, signs, body language, etc.
3.You may stage a photo or capture something candid.
4.Respect privacy — get consent if photographing others.
This is your chance as a group to reflect and give meaning to the photos captured
ACTIVITY
Each participant selects their strongest photo and writes a short caption (1-2 sentences max) answering:
1.Why did you take this photo?
2.What does it say about your freedom of expression?
3.What do you want others to understand or feel?
If being done in a group session, ask each student to share their photo and caption with the group.
You may want to have a debrief conversation, for which you can use the following prompts:
1.What did you notice across everyone’s photos?
2.Were there any surprising interpretations of freedom of expression?
3.What voices in our community are not being heard?
4.How can we protect or amplify expression in our spaces?
4. Submit your photos to Amnesty!
Amnesty will display each student’s chosen photo and caption as part of a photo exhibition at the Youth Festival 2025.
Submissions should be sent to activismevents@amnesty.org.uk and include:
Please submit all photos and captions by November 10th 2025
