Stories That Shift Systems: Advancing Inclusion, Equity, and Voice through Storytelling

This panel explores how storytelling across diverse media - including film, television, gaming, and digital platforms such as TikTok and YouTube - is increasingly being used as a tool to advance inclusion, equity, and social change.

It will bring together storytellers, practitioners, policymakers, and educators to examine how narrative can elevate marginalized voices, shape public discourse, and influence systems.

With a particular focus on Inclusion and Equity, the panel will highlight how storytelling can: 

• Amplify underrepresented perspectives and lived experiences 

• Challenge dominant narratives and structural inequities 

• Foster empathy, dialogue, and social cohesion 

• Serve as a tool for advocacy and systems change

At the same time, the session will address the critical importance of protecting freedom of expression, especially in contexts where voices are constrained or contested.