Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 revealed global connections between countries and continents, underscoring the extent of their interdependence. Events that happen thousands of miles away feel much closer due to their far-reaching impact. Despite hostilities taking place in only two countries, the war in Ukraine has a clear global impact, although the full extent of the ripple effect is not immediately apparent or widely covered by the media.

The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights is currently monitoring 110 armed conflicts worldwide, and , a 2023 analysis by the Peace Research Institute Oslo found that the past three years were the most violent since World War II, with three major deadly conflicts: the civil war in the Tigray region in Ethiopia, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the bombings of Gaza.

Numbers, in and of themselves, are nameless and abstract, devoid of personal context. They are unable to evoke empathy and interest in events that do not directly impact our daily lives. It is only when individuals are closely exposed to conflict that they feel compelled to gain a deeper understanding of its nuances and seek to identify the entities responsible for causing harm or loss of life. The advent of the internet and new media technologies have created the illusion of rapidly accessing reliable information about any subject, from any location. It would be an error, however, to assume that these visuals or data provide an absolute picture of reality, in a context where the endless flow of information raises an essential question: What is truly happening?
The “Beyond the Silence” project turns to photography as a medium that can convey authentic narrative and illustrate the impacts of actions taken by authorities and individuals across the globe. The artists create a space for shared observation and reflection, searching for ways to answer pressing questions.

The project aims to explore the interconnectivity between five countries – Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nigeria, and Myanmar – by fostering dialogue between photographers and displaying their stories, experiences, and reflections on shared challenges. In Kazakhstan, photographers focused on the concepts of Territory, exploring ideas of territorial integrity, political boundaries and identity. In Nigeria, where violence has been a part of society for some time, the objective was to capture images that convey the concepts of fight and adaptation. Both of these concepts are put into perspective with Ukraine, where the war is prompting a reflection on the same ideas.

“Beyond the Silence” is a collaborative project organized by Magnum Photos in partnership with Odesa Photo Days Festival (Ukraine), with the support of the Open Society Foundations and Ukrainian Institute.