A top writer for National Geographic Magazine in France and an independent filmmaker, Sylvie Brieu has been covering cultural diversity issues and minority rights for 17 years, and her articles have been translated into multiple languages.
Born in southern France, Sylvie was exposed to different cultural backgrounds and ways of thinking at a young age. She was raised in a family that was closely connected to the land and spoke Occitan, an endangered romance language.
At the University of Paris-Sorbonne and UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism, Sylvie earned degrees in modern languages, international relations, and journalism. She also developed a passion for Maya Hieroglyphics writing and now speaks six languages.
Sylvie began her career in 1992 as a socially-engaged documentary filmmaker and a TV reporter in California, where she hosted a news program. A few years later, she was elected to chair an international network of young journalists. She led two groups of professionals from five continents to Central and South America on a summer university tour that emphasized "freedom of expression and human rights." As head of the network, she also moderated a seminar in Thailand on "cultural and religious pluralism," which was attended by more than 200 participants from 86 countries.
As a young explorer, international reporter and a senior editor Sylvie has traveled all over the world - including trips to Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Easter Island, Ecuador, Mexico, Madagascar, South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe. Recently, her research efforts have taken her on a solo journey from the Andes to the Amazon, where she lived with seven different tribes in some of the most troubled areas.
Her investigations have raised awareness about the plight of some of the most vulnerable populations in the world, highlighting their creative initiatives to fight for their environment, their cultures and their lives.
In recognition of her inspiring work, she was granted the UNESCO CNF's patronage in 2008 for a long-term project with indigenous communities worldwide.
Now, she is a member of the All Roads Film Project's Film Advisory Board.
Congratulations, Sylvie!
Article by Claire Ensslin
