This year we saw virtual reality introduced to consumer markets. With the introduction of Samsung Gear and Oculus Rift headsets VR enthusiasts worldwide were able to immerse themselves in a new, all encompassing 360-degree reality of their choice. 

It isn’t just gamers that have embraced the new emerging technology. During the United Nations’ 70th General Assembly the U.N attempted to bridge the gap between world leaders and Syrian refugees through the introduction of virtual reality and documentary style videos.    

When attendees made it past the security checks and inside the walls of the United Nations’ New York headquarters they were invited to participate in a digital portal, which transported thousands of U.N delegates, staff and visitors to the Za’atari refugee camp near the Jordan-Syria boarder using Samsung Gear’s VR headset.    

Gabo Arora, the United Nations first ever Creative Director, expressed that the cutting-edge exhibit was just the first of many portals to be constructed across the country. Although the portal setup is only designed for temporary use Arora said there have already been requests to leave them intact long-term. 

"We're looking to make this a permanent portal system," he said, "and we want to do more, because it's not that hard. And I think in some ways if the U.N. can start to get some people we work closely with to actually talk to people all over the world and also talk to decisions makers, we can get another sense of how our work is having an impact."

Arora partnered with Chris Milk, filmmaker and founder of the VR storytelling platform, Within to produce Clouds Over Sidra, a nine-minute film detailing the life of a 12-year-old girl named Sidra (which you can watch here). The film shows a day in the life of a refugee at the Za’atari camp where more than 80,0000 of the roughly 4 million displaced Syrians now reside after fleeing their country’s five-year-civil war. 

Secretary General viewing UNVR at Kuwait Assembly. Source.

Arora describes himself as an "unsuccessful filmmaker," who emerged in New York's East Village in the 90s, but found more success as an activist than an artist. He entered into the UN through advocating for UNICEF, but became intrigued with virtual reality after linking up with Milk in 2014.

In just two years, Arora's advocacy for VR has proven to be a powerful tool for the UN. Last year Charity: Water earned an incredible $2.4 million sum after screening The Source at a black tie banquet at the Met, and UNICEF saw its donation rate double in man-on-the-street campaigns by showing prospective donors Clouds Over Sidra. 

Clouds Over Sidra, BTS of Sidra outside. Source.  

Arora states, "What we're trying to do is challenge stereotypes. To give you something that allows you to be somewhere with someone at their level, and to try to really listen to them and try to really understand what they're going through. So the technology allows that, because you are given a sense of presence where you can feel and be somewhere that you couldn't be with another medium. But at the same time, we're choosing just to show in a simple way what their life is like and for you to make the connection in your own head."

Clouds Over Sidra was filmed in a week using a proprietary 360-degree camera made by Vrse. Among those who have seen the film are U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power.

"There's a difference between empathy and pity. “ Arora believes. “I think a lot of what we think about with seeing things in the news, it's more trying to get you to feel pity. And the difference between empathy and pity for me is that pity is done with a hierarchy—empathy is done with a shared experience."

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