Rua Vergueiro 727 Liberdade São Paulo Brasil
Red Camper (Source: Todd Lester)
freeDimensional (fD) is a platform of collaboration linking resources in the art world to human rights activism globally. For 2009 the offices of freeDimensional will be hosted by its Sao Paulo partner center, Casa das Caldeiras, an opportunity which allows fD to engage in the Conectas Human Rights Colloquium, the World Social Forum and other initiatives for which we intend to highlight creative innovations that can be drawn from the art world in the effort to address critical, societal issues.
Todd Lester is the founder and Executive Director of freeDimensional, a global network of community arts spaces that provides services for human rights defenders during periods of distress – www.freedimensional.org. Todd was recently named a Fellow in Forced Migration & Refugee Studies at the American University of Cairo and a Young Scholar with the Organization of American States (OAS). Over the summer, Todd contributed an article for the London School of Economics 2007 Civil Society Yearbook as well as participated in the Summer Institute on Forced Migration at the Refugee Studies Centre of Oxford University. Todd worked with Reporters Without Bordersto establish its New York City communications desk over the course of 2006 and early 2007. In late 2005, he served as Katrina Relief Project Manager for FilmAid International, for which he designed and implemented the organization’s first domestic and natural disaster response intervention. Before that, Todd was Information & Advocacy Manager for the International Rescue Committee in Sudan. As an independent consultant, he designs film, media and cultural events for national ministries, cities, universities and community-based organizations, such as the 2005 Rwanda Film Festival. From 2002-04, he served as project manager for Conflict Prevention and Effective Communication in the Southern Caucasus and conducted research for the Vera List Center for Art and Politics. He holds a Masters of Public Administration from Rutgers University and is candidate for Doctorate of Public & Urban Policy at the New School for Social Research from which he recently received a Film Production Diploma. Todd is a Project Leader for programs on Africa at the World Policy Institute. He is a member of the 21st Century Trust and Think Tank 30 of the Club of Rome. Todd is an adjunct instructor at the New School, New York University and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Todd received career training as an assistant at the United Nations and working for various international agencies including the Carter Center, CARE and Population Services International.
