In a time when media is fragmenting, and it is difficult to find audiences for even the best work and get people discussing common issues, STEPS works to combine broadcast television with new media and other forms of distribution. We believe that without such innovations, serious work cannot achieve more than a niche status. Because of our dual status - our roots in broadcast television and outreach programmes, and our investment in new media - we are capable of achieving this goal.

• STEPS provides a new approach allowing millions of people throughout the world to gain access to the best of contemporary documentary films and journalism.
• STEPS works by facilitating - putting people and projects together, finding money for them, and creating global distribution and debate.
• STEPS films are made within a tradition of impartiality thatallows the expression of many voices.
• STEPS is dedicated to quality. It stands for the most rigorous standards of factual investigation.
• STEPS is international. Its aim is to enable local and global conversations around the most important topics of our times.
• STEPS is a non-profit making organisation.
• STEPS has a unique capability of organising international communication projects on a global scale because of its combination of skills and contacts in the field of contemporary public interest media.

PROJECTS:

• Why Poverty? is a series of programmes and events around the theme of the global poor and their relation with the rich world. Over thirty broadcasters worldwide are already committed to taking part in Why Poverty?
• This project is a follow on to the highly successful Why Democracy? which reached an estimated audience of 250 million people in 180 countries in 2007. STEPS' first project, Steps for the Future, was a series of films dealing with the crisis of HIV & AIDS in Southern Africa whichlaunched in 2001. Outreach programmes continue working with both these collections of films.

ORGANISATION:

STEPS is made up of two bodies - one based in Europe, the other in Africa:

• STEPS INTERNATIONAL is a non-profit organisation set up as a foundation in Denmark.
• STEPS SOUTHERN AFRICA is a non-profit organisation in South Africa.