Published Quotes
PUBLISHED QUOTES
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Reader’s Digest (Canada)“Firdaus Kharas used talking condoms to shift global attitudes about HIV/AIDS and saved millions of lives in the process.”
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Citation for Officer of the Order of Canada“For advancing social change through human-centred media as a social entrepreneur, humanitarian and mass communications media producer.”
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Dr. Dane Rowlands, director, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, introduction for honorary Doctor of Laws“His campaigns for children’s rights, ending domestic violence and malaria prevention have been astounding in their effect. Commentators have credited him and his innovative campaigns, without exaggeration, with saving the lives of millions of people.”
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Citation for honorary Doctor of Humanities, Thiel College, Pennsylvania“(Thiel) recognizes your compassionate work and thanks (you) for your efforts to influence the future through media.”
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Named one of the world’s 50 Most Talented Social Innovators by the World CSR Congress“He has positively influenced millions of lives.”
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Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu – open letter“We need efforts like yours… a powerful communicating tool to encourage people to change their behaviour… an outstanding contribution…”
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Director of the Malaria Museum, Ireland“We consider Firdaus Kharas to be the modern equivalent of Dr. Seuss.”
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Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu – open letter“I congratulate all those who have been involved in creating the Buzz and Bite PSAs. It is not easy to create a global campaign across cultural boundaries. They have made a superb contribution to the campaign against malaria infection in providing material free of charge that can be easily understood by most people irrespective of language or culture.”
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Senator Mobina Jaffer, PC, in the Senate of Canada“…I know you will join me… to recognize an amazing Canadian who makes us all proud of the great difference he is making in the lives of people all over the world.”
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Dr. Ivy Matsepe-Casaburi, Minister of Communications, South Africa, in a nationally televised speech“Thank you for your commitment. History will not forget.”
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Dr. Tom O’Callaghan, Director, IHEED, Ireland“Firdaus’ animation projects are world famous; no one else is using animation for (behaviour change)…Kharas is [a] rock star.”
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Darpan Magazine“Renowned humanitarian, Firdaus Kharas, produces animations that can save lives.”
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Director, Department of Public Information, United Nations“The United Nations is very grateful for the work and commitment of Mr. Firdaus Kharas in raising awareness about issues of concern… Mr. Kharas’ vision to “change the world through animation” fits right in… we look forward to seeing more of his important work.”
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Randy Kelly, Director of the Documentary: Firdaus Kharas: The Animated Activist“…discover a man determined to make the world a better place …unique approach using humour in animated TV spots created to help eradicate HIV/AIDS and malaria…. Here [is] a driven, passionate man worth discovering.”
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The Canadian Health Adaptations, Innovations, and Mobilization Centre (CHAIM)“Empathy, ambition, compassion, intelligence and determination are all traits the world renowned social innovator and humanitarian, Firdaus Kharas, possesses.”
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United Methodists Communications“Subjects like AIDS and domestic violence are no laughing matter, but Firdaus Kharas has found a way to use humor to get people to think differently about such serious issues.”
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Carleton University, Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) citation“In recognition of his innovative contributions to the advancement of public health and children’s rights in a global context.”
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YOU“His highly-acclaimed AIDS awareness campaign, The Three Amigos, revolutionized the field of health communication and established a new model for the creation of animated PSAs.”
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Variety“Firdaus Kharas, the celebrated humanitarian…”
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The book Recovery: Peace Prospects in the Biden Era“Firdaus Kharas, the renowned social innovator whose animation films are a marvel of health teaching…”
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DNA of Purpose“Firdaus Kharas… has been at the forefront of using his creativity, creating animations for social change for the last 25 years. Firdaus is a pioneer in the world of social enterprise. …He has addressed deeply sensitive social justice issues, using animation as a tool to enable global commonality and to cut through the filters of personal perception to enable us to remain receptive to messages of influence we may not otherwise have considered.”
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What’s Your Thing Podcast“A fascinating guy with a truly amazing story”
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Highflow Lifestyle“…master global communicator and creator Firdaus Kharas.”
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AllAfrica“…Globally renowned producer Firdaus Kharas.
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Saying It Skillfully“Extraordinary social innovator Firdaus Kharas, master of social change via animations that compel viewers to accept his messages and come to their own conclusion to change for the better….You are a poster child for one human being making a difference for the world.”
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TMT News citation for Best Global Informative Short Film Producer“…a forerunner in behaviour change communications on a wide variety of subjects, like disease prevention and human rights.”
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Informer“…one of the world’s top animation producers”
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The Globe and Mail“Firdaus Kharas creates animated films with a strong social impact.”
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University of Nipissing Agents of Peace Initiative“…unique and inspiring individual…”
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Dr. Vic Manzo Jr., on The Mindful Experiment“He is an expert on creativity and how learning to tap into our creativity, will return us back to the true essence of who we are.”
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The Guardian“By combining accessible humour and hard-hitting messaging, his productions will no doubt continue to shine a warm light on some of the most pressing issues facing societies.”
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Sorbet Brut(e) International“Firdaus Kharas is a world-renowned director and producer of animation, documentaries, television series and films.“
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Global Calcuttan“From advocating for refugees in Canada to making animated films on health in Africa, this Global Calcuttan’s humanitarian work has impacted countless lives.”
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Screen Africa“…the internationally renowned Firdaus Kharas.”
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Huffington Post“Kharas introduced the term “Culture Shift” to the humanitarian lexicon in an effort to teach children and young adults about the human condition with a global emphasis.”
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Citation for the Best Global Informative Short Film Producer“Creating media on the frontline of change”
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The book Creative Dissent“Firdaus Kharas, an outstanding television and animation producer…”.
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Global Geneva“Firdaus Kharas… is an expert in behaviour-change communications who has produced global campaigns for reaching out to crisis-affected populations”
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Oman Tribune“Known for his long track record and remarkable experience in educational animation content production.”
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Mipcom News, Cannes, France“…a worldwide expert on behavior change communications.”
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Resilient Ambassadors of Change“I have to admit I was pretty skeptical that issues such as rape and verbal abuse could be turned into 30-second humor clips, but I think what Mr. Kharas has done is remarkable: he has found tasteful and informative ways to make people laugh and teach them something at the same time.”
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Inter Press Service (IPS) global wire story“Firdaus Kharas has completed several media campaigns to bring to the world’s attention some tough global issues.”
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Blogcritics“…Kharas’ work justly fills the void where before… there was a lack of effective strategy.”
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Animation Insider“Breaking new ground in form and content…”
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Decoding Purpose“Firdaus is a pioneer in the world of social enterprise…. he has addressed deeply sensitive social justice issues, using animation as a tool to enable global commonality and to cut through the filters of personal perception to enable us to remain receptive to messages of influence we may not otherwise have considered.”
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United Nations Under-Secretary-General“A very powerful tool in communicating to people…”
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Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking“…one of the world’s top animation producers.”
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The New P&L: Principles and Leadership in Business“Internationally respected social entrepreneur, humanitarian and creativity thought leader, Firdaus Kharas. Firdaus is founder and chairman of the multi-award-winning Chocolate Moose Media, which has built an enviable worldwide reputation for producing some of the most innovative and creative global social information advertising campaigns of the last 25 years.”
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The Atlantic“Using animation and humor to get important public health messages on the air.”
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New Empire Builders“Kharas and his team are connecting important messages with mass audiences.”
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Africa Film & TV“Groundbreaking”
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The Globe and Mail“…remarkably cross-cultural…”
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Unfolding Arts“The most amazing thing of all? That all these videos in all these languages can actually reach about five-six-billion people in their native languages…”.
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Luise von Flatow in The (Globalized) Three Amigos: Translating and Disseminating HIV/AIDS Prevention Discourse“…a case where translation has been effectively deployed for the purposes of global social activism, and where this globalized aspect plays a more positive role than usual.”
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The Times of India“Eminent producer…”.
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Momentum Life Project“A truly fascinating character…”.
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Animation Insider“A celebration of culture and an innovative exploration of the animated medium.”
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Faculty of Public Affairs, Carleton University“His approach to urgent, sometimes deadly crises is deceptively simple: he creates animated public service announcements and videos that resonate with people across cultures.”
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The Guardian International Development Award“Using animation, Firdaus tackled subjects often shrouded in taboo and misinformation, particularly HIV, malaria, and domestic and sexual abuse.”
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Focus (Canada)“…fantastic work done by producer Firdaus Kharas… to save lives around the world”
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Positive Outlook, AIDS Community Care Montreal“… individuals can make a difference. He is living testament to it”