NEWS: DVD highlights social exclusion (UK)

DVD highlights social exclusion

Children & Young People Now - 26 March 2008

Teenage girls in Wigan have made a DVD to raise awareness of social exclusion.

Lowton Girls' Group attempted to tackle the issue in a documentary called Lean on Me. The DVD shows the efforts made by members of the group to build friendships with young people from minority groups. It features interviews with the girls about their experiences of exclusion and footage of a Christmas party organised for young people from other minority groups.

full article

PROJECTS / NEWS / PHOTOGRAPHY: ph15 (ARGENTINA)

ph: photography – Drawing with light

15: the number assigned to identify the slum "Ciudad Oculta", or Hidden City, located in the edge of Buenos Aires.

ph15: a space where a group of kids are encouraged to express their personal views through the use of photography. In this workshop they explore who they are and what they feel.

..

Ph15 is formed by a group of photographers that believe in education through visual arts and using them as a mean of social inclusion.

..

The workshops offered by ph15 possess a completely innovative character, so much for the didactics of work as for being an experience that makes possible a space for integration, development of the identity and artistic expression for underserved youth.

..

The activities of the workshops are faced to the deployment of the photographic creativity. Through learning how to look and show the different realities of their lives, so much of individual form as a group, they learn to explore everything that surrounds them and to express themselves through their own personal view, with another perspective. Without ever leaving aside the search of the artistic quality, ph15 generates a space of formation of identity that helps to improve the social and cultural condition of the students. Ph15 uses the creative power of photography to open them an alternative route that transmits, in a practical and direct way, values and cultural referents that belong to them and are not imposed by others.

..

Ph15 helps the kids to appropriate the place in which they live, to discover new spaces through the fieldtrips organized by the Foundation, and to interact with what surrounds them. Through ph15 activities the students not only leave the neighborhood but also learn how to move around the city and know places where they usually don’t go or have no access.

website in Spanish and English

From April 3rd until May 18th, ph15 photographs will be exhibited at Juan L. Ortiz Gallery in the National Library

Opening: Thursday April 3rd at 7PM

Aguero 2502 Third Floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Mon to Fri from 10AM to 8PM and Sat and Sun from 1PM to 6PM

NEWS / RESEARCH: Technology And Youth to Drive Media Industry (AFRICA)

Kenya: Technology And Youth to Drive Media Industry

Business Daily (Nairobi)

27 March 2008
Posted to the web 28 March 2008

Mwenda Wa Micheni
Nairobi

Fast-paced changes on the local television scene point to one thing- growth.

Players in the industry must rise to the occasion or miss out on the growth dividends looming in the horizon.

Recent studies show that television ownership in selected 40 countries, Kenya included, is set to grow at an average pace of 17 per cent annually.

The study, dubbed African Broadcast Markets and published by Balancing Act and InterMedia, found that growth of the radio is not only strong, but also more widespread geographically.

The drivers of all this, according to the report, are the youth segment and technological changes. The two factors are the key determinants of the decisions that TV players will make to shape the future of the industry. "A key demographic is the very young average age of these populations," says the report.

full article

more about the study at http://intermedia.org/press_releases/ABM_release_5_March_08.pdf and http://intermedia.org/brochures/extracts%20for%20site.pdf

Latest OneMinutesJr video

From the OneMinutesJr workshop in Munich.

EVENTS / NEWS: 'Nifty' youth film fest sees phenomenal growth (USA)

'Nifty' youth film fest sees phenomenal growth

By ATHIMA CHANSANCHAI
P-I REPORTER

You never know: within the ranks of the filmmakers whose entries are in this week's National Film Festival for Talented Youth there may emerge a future great director.

"We're like the farm team. This is the next batch of Steven Spielbergs and Soderberghs," said Todd Girouard, director of development and media relations for NFFTY (pronounced "nifty").

While he said audiences shouldn't expect the level of sophistication of big budget productions, they still should expect to be impressed.

full article

festival website

EVENTS: Barcelona International Television Festival for Children

Greetings from FITB,

I am presently preparing for our festival and would be happy to receive any material from you which you feel might be suitable and would also greatly appreciate it if you could pass on the information to any film-makers or companies who might be interesting in participating or submitting their films  to the  Barcelona International Television Festival. We are basically interested in films made for, about or by children. I have pasted a brief summary below but there's more information on our website: www.oeti.org 

http://oeti.blip.tv/ 

http://www.oeti.org/tv_oeti/  

 

Cordially,

 

Doina Bird

Coordinator

Barcelona International Children's

Televisión Festival 

fitb@oeti.org

tel. 93 162 6756
address:

Aragón, 290-292, 5º
08009 Barcelona ESPAÑA

 

CALL FOR ENTRIES FITB 2008 

We invite you to submit your children and youth productions and participate in the 12th edition of the Barcelona International Television Festival (FITB). As with previous years there is no entry fee and we offer the prestigious UNICEF PRIZE and CREATIVE PRIZE.

This is a good opportunity for filmmakers and production companies to showcase their work in Spain and share it with enthusiastic young audiences along with media professionals. Every year we collaborate with educators so that groups of school children get to see a wide range of international films and videos (of less than 1 hour duration) that they may not otherwise be able to access.
For more information please check out our website www.oeti.org or contact fitb@oeti.org if you have any queries about the festival.

 

 Cordially,

Doina Bird
Coordinator
Barcelona International Children's
Televisión Festival 
Aragón, 290-292, 5º
08009 Barcelona ESPAÑA
tel. 93 162 6756
fitb@oeti.org
www.oeti.org  
http://oeti.blip.tv/ 
http://www.oeti.org/tv_oeti/  

 

       

 

 

NEWS: Youth journalists use video to urge action on child rights in the Caribbean

Youth journalists use video to urge action on child rights in the Caribbean

NEW YORK, USA, Guyana, 25 March 2008 – It’s time for action, not just talk: That was the message young journalists brought to the Caribbean Community’s Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) meeting last week in Georgetown, Guyana.

The youth delegates spoke out at the meeting – and showed off their video production skills – through a 15-minute TV news bulletin and a compilation of one-minute videos on corporal punishment, child labour, access to quality education and other issues of concern to them.

This second COHSOD special session on children was convened to discuss the many challenges faced by Caribbean children and young people, including early childhood development, child Protection, HIV/AIDS, and infant and maternal mortality.

full article

video

EVENTS: Leeds Young People's Film Festival (UK)

LEEDS YOUNG PEOPLE'S FILM FESTIVAL
27 March - 4 April
www.leedsyoungfilm.com

The UK's most interactive young people's Film Festival - for young people, by young people

Now in its 9th year, LYPFF will open with a preview screening of Son Of Rambow and will feature a host of new and classic movies for young people and families. Highlights include the CGI animation adventure Impy's Island, and the powerful documentary We Are Together, following a South African orphanage's attempt to raise funds by sending its incredible choir on a fraught UK tour, as well as hit Scandinavian comic drama Bitter Sweetheart.  We also re-visit some classic films that cater for all ages with the beguiling The NeverEnding Story, the hilarious Ferris Bueller's Day Off and a special babes-in-arms screening of the Tom Hanks smash hit Big.

Masterclasses include Storyboarding with Harry Potter in partnership with BAFTA Families, led by conceptual artist Temple Clark, Animating with Bob the Builder led by Curtis Jobling and also The Art of Iron Man with Marvel Comics graphic artist Adi Granov. Other guests include writer/actor Frank Cottrill Boyce, director Harley Cokeliss and author/screenwriter Melvin Burgess. BBC Blast presents 1-Day Film Challenge, and Animate! and Machinima workshops also return along with the 5th edition of the National Young Filmmakers Award on Saturday 29 March.

This year, the Film Festival kicks off with a special launch event on Millennium Square in Leeds City Centre with a Guinness World RecordTM attempt at the largest Zombie gathering! Feel free to come along and join in!!! www.breezeleeds.org/zombreeze

Debbie Maturi, Festival Director

Leeds Film, Town Hall, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 3AD, UK
T: +44 (0)113 2478398. F: +44 (0)113 2478494 www.leedsyoungfilm.com www.leedsfilm.com

Leeds Film is part of Leeds City Council and organises:
- 9th Leeds Young People's Film Festival, 27th March - 4th April 2008
- 22nd Leeds International Film Festival, 5th - 16th November 2008
- Year-round Film Academy for Young People

Leeds Film is a member of:
- European Children's Film Association (www.ecfaweb.org)
- International Festivals and Events Association (www.ifea.com)
- European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation (www.melies.org)

________________________________________________________________________

The information in this email (and any attachment) may be for the

intended recipient only. If you know you are not the intended recipient,

please do not use or disclose the information in any way and please

delete this email (and any attachment) from your system.

The Council does not accept service of legal documents by e-mail.

________________________________________________________________________

EVENTS / WORKSHOPS: Nigeria: YMCI, Unicef Hold Youth Media Workshop

Nigeria: YMCI, Unicef Hold Youth Media Workshop

25 March 2008 - Posted to the web 25 March 2008

Baba Yusuf - Abuja

Nigeria's foremost child media organisation, the Youth Media and Communication Initiative (YMCI), will hold a one week media training workshop for secondary school students in Abuja from March 31 to April 4, 2008.

The workshop, jointly organised by YMCI and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria will involve 24 students and six teachers who will undergo training on various aspects of media: print; photography; video production; radio and Internet.

full article

PROJECTS / PEOPLE: Intel Computer Clubhouse / Raed Yacoub (RAMALLAH)

Intel Computer Clubhouse

In November 2004, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah inaugurated Jordan’s first Intel Computer Clubhouse -- an after-school program set up to provide community-based technology-learning programs, enabling youth in underserved areas to acquire the tools necessary for personal and professional success. Established in partnership with the Intel Corporation, the International Youth Foundation (IYF), the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD) and the Museum of Science-Boston, the Intel Computer Clubhouse will serve young people, ages 10-18, providing them with access to high-tech equipment, professional software and volunteer mentors to help them develop the self-confidence and enthusiasm for learning they need to be successful in the future. The Clubhouse will operate out of the Queen Zein Al Sharaf Institute for Development in Hashmi Al Shamali.

full text

Raed Yacoub
Computer Clubhouse Coordinator
Ramallah Intel Computer Clubhouse
Ramallah, Palestine

Video interview with Raed (38 sec, 225k, Real Media)

Raed Yacoub is the Computer Clubhouse Coordinator for the Ramallah Intel Computer Clubhouse, the first of its kind in Palestine and in the Arab Middle East. Raed works directly with young people ages 8-18 in Ramallah and from the nearby Qalandia, Al Ammari and Qadura refuge-camps.

Using his background in computer science, Raed works with youth to experiment with creative expression using technology and to develop necessary work and life skills.

Prior to being elected Clubhouse manager, Raed, worked in the IT department of the Welfare Association* (WA), a private non-profit foundation established to support sustainable development in Palestine. It is now better known in Palestine and the Arab region by its Arabic name, Ta'awoun, meaning "cooperation."

The Ramallah Computer Clubhouse is supported by the WA and the International Youth Foundation, a global network that provides worldwide resources to young people in need.

Source

 

NEWS: Mass media urged to address human right issues (BANGLADESH)

Mass media urged to address human right issues

Mass media must play a role to address the human right issues in effective way. Students as well as the people need to be incorporated in raising awareness about human rights and use of power to influence the society. Mass media can help the people to enjoy access to information to being positive change in Bangladesh.

Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, Managing Director and Chief Editor of BSS, said this as chief guest in the inaugural session of the Youth Journalism and Human Rights Camp at TARC of BRAC in Savar yesterday.

He said the camp would play an important role to raise awareness regarding journalism and human rights.

Relief International (RI), a US-based NGO, organised the three-day-long camp for marginalised and rural youth to make them aware of the power of the media to influence society and to make media accessible to them.

full article

EVENTS: Stranger Festival

Dear StrangerFestival partner and friend,

On Friday 4 July we host an expert meeting as part of StrangerFestival in Amsterdam’s Gashouder. The sessions at the meeting tackle the ways the new folk culture/user-generated video culture is having an impact on television, politics, culture, youth work and civil society. This meeting will be a gathering of some 150-200 experts from museums, local cultural organisations, commercial and public broadcasters, funders, policymakers, researchers, young people and journalists from all parts of Europe. We expect a lively discussion as through our network we already have people flying in from Greece to Helsinki and from Barcelona to Israel. So a good chance to make new friends and build partnerships.

The meeting will start with a presentation of the think tank DEMOS on the research the ECF has supported on the impact of user-generated video to the makers and to the political system (http://www.demos.co.uk/projects/childrenofeuropa/overview). Later during the day we will hear views from actors such as MTV and BBC.

We would love to hear from you and show what you can do. The first session is called Simply The Best where we want to present three outstanding ways of engaging young people with video. It can be the method you use, the tools you have developed, the group you work with, the beauty of the results or the long-term dedication in the project. We want to inspire the visitors to think outside the box, to see the diversity in the field in Europe and get new ideas for partnerships and projects and of course be amazed by the videos.

We are offering 2-3 organisations or individuals the chance to show their work. If you or your organisation is interested, please send a brief of a few paragraphs before Monday 24 March to tommi@eurocult.org describing:
- what did you do and where?
- who took part in the project?
- what results could you show at StrangerFestival?
- what could others learn from your project?
- what makes your work stand out?

If you are chosen for the presentation, the ECF will work together with you to make the presentation work. We are looking for ways to hear from one of the young participants what they got out of it and showing a set of examples from different parts of Europe. The ECF will support the travels and accommodation of the presenters to the festival. We are also open for suggestions from your circle.
Looking forward to hearing from you,

Tommi

Tommi Laitio
Project Leader
StrangerFestival
European Cultural Foundation
Jan van Goyenkade 5
NL-1075 HN Amsterdam
The Netherlands
T +31 (0)20 573 3868

NEWS: UNICEF seeks media prominence for women, children (AFRICA)

UNICEF seeks media prominence for women, children
• Sunday, Mar 23, 2008

In a bid to make women and children the centrepiece of its activities in Africa particularly in Nigeria, the United Nations Emergency Fund (UNICEF), has called on media practitioners in the country to give prominence to issues concerning women and children.

The body gave the charge during a one-day zonal dialogue with journalists drawn from different media organisations organised by the UNICEF Enugu A-field in conjunction with the Akwa Ibom State government at Links Hotel, Owerri last Tuesday.

After painstakingly deliberating on issues of maternal mortality, child rights and the media, the participants rose from the meeting and expressed deep concern over the high morbidity and mortality rate of women and children in Africa especially in Nigeria, and advocated more collaborative effort by all stakeholders to reduce the rate so as to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target of 2015.

They equally called on journalists and media organisations to give prominence to issues concerning the health of children and women.

full article

WORKSHOPS / EVENTS: Dubai International Film Festival Workshop Series Draws To A Close With Cairo Session

Dubai International Film Festival Workshop Series Draws To A Close With Cairo Session

Oneminutesjr. Workshop Films Screened On WWW.Dubaifilmfest.Com

The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) today announced the conclusion of the successful ‘OneMinutesJr’ video production workshop for youth in Cairo, bringing to a close its three-session partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The workshops were supported by DIFF, and sessions were held in Mumbai, Dubai and Cairo by adolescent filmmakers. The resulting videos can be seen on the DIFF website (www.dubaifilmfest.com) on March 30, 2008.

The Cairo session, generously hosted by the Goethe Institute, took place 20-24 February, and drew 18 participants aged 12 to 19 from in and around Cairo to learn basic camera skills and create stories based on the theme “Daily Life.”

The participants were asked to develop ideas about things they see everyday, dreams and goals them have for themselves, and aspects of their lives. Alberto de Michele and Jennifer Petterson, two artists from Amsterdam who represent the One Minutes Foundation, taught the participants about story development and production skills, and helped the participants shoot and edit their one minute story.

Shivani Pandya, DIFF’s Managing Director, said: “the oneminutesjr workshops were an extension of our mandate to develop and nurture filmmaking talent across the region, and to reaffirm our social commitment. We were very pleased with the way the workshops were conducted, and we urge those who are interested in cinema as a platform for cross-cultural understanding to view the remarkable videos online.”

The final 18 films were shown at a screening at the Goethe Institute attended by parents, friends and the community, including members of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union.

Karen Cirillo, Executive Producer, Children’s Broadcasting Initiatives, UNICEF, commented on the OneMinutesJr. initiative: “Partnering with DIFF was an excellent opportunity for us to continue our expansion throughout the world. DIFF’s aim to expand the filmmaking community throughout the region dovetails with ours, which is to position film as the ideal instrument for young people to express themselves and to learn about each other through a universal visual language.”

DIFF has partnered with UNICEF in past festival editions; in 2006, the film Invisible Children, produced by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, was screened as part of a fundraiser, where all proceeds were donated to UNICEF.

DIFF 2008 will take place from December 11 to 18, 2008.

Source

NEWS / EVENTS / J8: David Beckham urges children to use Junior 8 Summit to make their voices heard

David Beckham urges children to use Junior 8 Summit to make their voices heard

LONDON, United Kingdom, 20 March 2008 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham has called on young people to take part in UNICEF’s Junior 8 Summit, a young person’s version of the annual G8 meeting of world leaders. Beckham called on 13- to 17-year-olds in G8 nations to enter the competition for a chance to represent their countries at the J8 Summit in Japan.

The J8 will provide young people with a platform to speak out about the global issues that are important to them, and to voice their concerns to the world. The winning team chosen from each G8 nation will present a communiqué of global proposals to the G8, jointly written by the J8 delegation.

full article

EVENTS: Youth Media Democr&cy (April 18-19, Dublin) (IRELAND)

Youth Media Democr&cy (April 18-19, Dublin)

A conference exploring the effects and opportunities of new media on children and youth

Dublin Institute of Technology and Digital Hub, Dublin
18-19 April 2008

The Irish Youth Media Foundation are pleased to invite you to their inaugural conference ‘Youth Media Democr&cy,’ to be held in Dublin on 18th-19th April 2008.

This exciting event sets out to explore the effects that new media have on the youth, and will also focus on the tremendous opportunities that new medias bring.

The conference will be opened by the Irish Education Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan; followed by a keynote address from David Buckingham, Professor of Education; Director, Centre for the Study of Children, Youth and Media - University of London.

New research will be presented through both papers and workshops as well as providing an opportunity to watch youth media projects being created, as youth groups from both and south Ireland will be participating. This will provide a unique opportunity to experience youth media culture as it is being produced.

Conference Price
Adults E120 (two days)
Concessions (Student/ OAP): E70
(Price includes reception on Thursday 17th April and evening meal Friday 18th April)

Additional information can be found on our website, including the full conference programme as well as information on the conference venue, hotels nearby, travel and Dublin tourism
www.irishyouthmedia.com/conf.html

Contact:
Estelle Clements,
Office 3048, School of Media, Dublin Institute of Technology,
Aungier Street, Dublin 2
Phone: +353 (0) 1 402 7191
Email: youthmediademocracy@gmail.com

Jan Pettersen
School of Social Sciences & Law
Dublin Institute of Technology
41 Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1
Email: jan.pettersen@dit.ie
Ph: +353 (0) 1 402 4278EEVE

Source

NEWS / PROJECTS: Voices of Youth - CRC@18 Online Art Exhibit

Online Art Exhibit

Voices of Youth is proud to present its 18@18 Online art exhibit.

Take a look at the art pieces submitted by VOY members from around the world, and see what they have to say about their rights. You can navigate from piece to piece, and also e-mail it to friends and family!

Let´s continue to spread the word on Child Rights.

Background

In November 20, 2007, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) celebrated its 18th Anniversary, and as part of the activities to commemorate this historic event , Voices of Youth requested its members to choose an article of the Convention and send their artistic interpretation
it.

Visit Voices of Youth, UNICEF´s website for young people:
http://www.unicef.org/voy
http://www.unicef.org/voy/arabic
http://www.unicef.org/voy/french
http://www.unicef.org/voy/spanish

EVENTS: BUFF - 25th Anniversary - 2nd Financing Forum (SWEDEN)

BUFF - 25th Anniversary - 2nd Financing Forum

14.03.2008

The 25th edition of BUFF - the International Children and Young People's Film Festival - is in full swing since last Monday in Malmö until Saturday March 15, with a programme of over 100 films and a Financing Forum growing in popularity.

Natasha Arthy's Fighter opened BUFF last Monday and is one of eight youth films competing for the Euros 5,500 main festival award. Among the eight children films competing are Sweden's Little Ghost Laban by Lasse Persson and Butterflies by Kjell Åke Andersson, Denmark's The Lost Treasure of the Knights Templar 3 by Giacomo Campeotto and Norway's The Ten Lives of Titanic the Cat by Grethe Bøe.

Parallel to the festival, BUFF is hosting its second Financing Forum (March 13-15). Ten international financiers have been invited to discuss the eight European projects: Ralf Ivarsson (Film i Skåne, Sweden), Aude Capra (Delphis Film, Canada), Helder Dacosta (Tropical Storm Entertainment, Brazil), Christian Zipperle (Schmidtz Katze Filmkollektiv, Germany), Wigbert Moschall (MDC International, Germany), Thomas Roger (Cinestar, Sweden), Per-Erik Svensson (Filmpool Nord, Sweden), Lone Korslund (Nordisk Film, Denmark), Petra Holm (YLE, Finland) and Andrzej Roman-Jasiewicz (Polish Filmmakers Association).

full article

EVENTS: La BAD accueille le 3ème sommet international des médias d’Afrique (IN FRENCH - AFRICA)

La BAD accueille le 3ème sommet international des médias d'Afrique

Tunis, 17 mars 2008 – L'Agence Africaine de Communications (ACA) organise le 3ème sommet international africain des médias (SIAM) du 27 au 30 mars 2008 à Tunis. Le sommet offrira aux participants l'occasion de discuter pendant trois jours des questions relatives à la manière appropriée et adéquate de diffuser l'information sur l' « Afrique nouvelle et émergente » et de reconstruire l'image de l'Afrique. L'évènement sera accueilli par la Banque Africaine de développement avec le soutien de l'Union Africaine (UA), la Communauté Economique des Etats d'Afrique de l'Ouest (CEDEAO) et le Forum de la Diaspora Africaine (FDA).

" Comment la jeunesse peut-elle contribuer au processus de changement d'image de l'Afrique?" est le thème du sommet de cette année conformément à la décision de l'Union Africaine faisant de 2008 l'Année de la jeunesse. Dans cette optique, l'UNICEF (Speak Africa) et Plan International parraineront plusieurs présentations de jeunes. Des parties prenantes de l'industrie des médias, de hauts représentants gouvernementaux de tout le continent ainsi que de la diaspora africaine, participeront à ce sommet.

Le Sommet international des médias d'Afrique est né à la suite d'une prise de conscience de la nécessité de repositionner l'Afrique en tenant compte de son émergence et de sa renaissance prometteuse. Le Sommet est destiné à encourager, à inspirer tout en s'éduquant auprès des médias tant africains qu'internationaux.

more

NEWS / FUNDING: Youth clubs team up with MTV to generate young filmmakers (UK)

Youth clubs team up with MTV to generate young filmmakers

By Alison Bennett - Children & Young People Now
12 March 2008

A 1.8m pound initiative to get more than 250,000 young people involved in the media has been launched by Clubs for Young People.

The youth club network has teamed up with volunteering charity v, which is providing the cash, along with MTV and marketing company TomTom Nation to launch Boom!

The project will allow 16- to 25-year-olds to learn and put into practice film production and media skills with the hope of opening up volunteering and vocational opportunities.

Young people will be challenged to make short films ref-lecting their opinions, concerns, interests and passions. Films could range from video diaries to news bulletins and mini-documentaries. Each participating club will have an online newsroom called a Boom! Room in which videos can be uploaded.

full article

CALL FOR ENTRIES: African International Media Summit (AIMS) 2008 Achievers Award (AFRICA)

African International Media Summit (AIMS) 2008 Achievers Award

Posted March 14th, 2008 by speakafrica

Speak Africa calls for entries from young media personalities for the African International Media Summit (AIMS) 2008 Achievers Award. The Awards will go to media personalities that have contributed to the positive image of Africa and whose programming shows positive action in the following areas:

• Knowledge of issues affecting children and youth in the African Continent
• Consistent active involvement in using media for advocacy purposes
• Innovation or creativity in capturing and disseminating issues of concern related to children and youth in Africa.
• Efforts in positively influencing viewers’ perceptions of the African Continent (i.e. in order to assist with re-branding of the continent)

Eligible nominees must be between the ages of 15 – 35 and also citizens of the African Continent or the African Diaspora.

• Partner Agencies can nominate youth whose work they are familiar with
• youth can nominate their peers.
• self nomination is also encouraged but needs to be accompanied by verification from persons familiar with submitted work.

Submissions can be in all forms of media including video, audio, print, photographs, and paintings. Nominees MUST include a brief biography of themselves as well as current contact information including full name, telephone, e-mail and fax where applicable.

Deadline for submission: 20 March, 2008
Winners will be notified by 24 March, 2008

source

EVENTS / NEWS: Young filmmakers dispel media myths (UK)

Young filmmakers dispel media myths

By Tom Lloyd - Children & Young People Now - 13 March 2008

The British Film Institute is running a youth film festival this weekend to promote a more positive view of young people.

full article

PROJECTS / TV / ANIMATION: TV cartoon in Kyrgyzstan promotes educational messages (KYRGYZSTAN)

TV cartoon in Kyrgyzstan promotes educational messages

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, March 11, 2008 - The national TV channel in Kyrgyzstan has created an educational TV programme with the help of UNICEF. For more than two years a cartoon has been broadcast that tackles public health issues such as healthy diets and flu prevention.  But the cartoon heroes also give useful advice on important issues for children, such as what are you supposed to do when you break your grandmother’s cup?

Seven-years-old Nurbolot Djamangulov got a new brother a few months ago. When the baby was newly born, the whole family discussed what name to give him. Then Nurbolot said: “Let’s give my brother the name Aktan, because he is clever, strong and all the children in the village love him.” And so the baby was named Aktan.

Aktan is the hero in the TV animation programme called `Magic Journey` that has been broadcast for a second year by the National TV Channel, with UNICEF support. Atkan and friends travel, have adventures and solve problems.  

full article

EVENTS: 3rd African International Media Summit in Tunis (AFRICA)

3rd African International Media Summit in Tunis

The 3rd edition of the annual African International Media Summit (AIMS) is scheduled to hold in Tunis, Tunisia, 27-30 March, the organisers said.

In a statement made available Tuesday, the African Communications Agency (ACA) said the summit would bring together Ministers of Information and Youth; media magnates and media policy-makers with professionals in journalism, broadcasting, Internet media and management and marketing, from all over Africa and the Diaspora.

It said the theme of AIMS 2008 would be the African youth, in line with the African Union declaration of the year 2008 as the ’Year of the Youth’.

(...) ’’We are delighted to have UNICEF (Speak Africa initiative) and Plan International, Association of Tunisian Mothers (ATM) involved in this critical conversation this year. (...)

full article

NEWS: Youth clubs team up with MTV to generate young filmmakers (UK)

Youth clubs team up with MTV to generate young filmmakers

A 1.8m pound initiative to get more than 250,000 young people involved in the media is to be launched by Clubs for Young People tomorrow (13 March).

The youth club network has teamed up with volunteering charity v, which is providing the cash, along with MTV and marketing company TomTom Nation to launch Boom!

The project will allow 16- to 25-year-olds to learn and put into practice film production and media skills with the hope of opening up volunteering and vocational opportunities.

full article

AWARDS / ICDB: UNICEF call for entries for children broadcasting awards

UNICEF call for entries for children broadcasting awards

NEW YORK, 10 March 2007 -  UNICEF today called for entries from broadcasters for the 2008 International Children’s Day of Broadcasting Awards.  The ICDB Awards will go to the radio and television broadcasters whose programming best reflects the 2007 International Children’s Day of Broadcasting theme, The World We Want, and who demonstrate an overall dedication to youth participation in media.

To be eligible for the ICDB Award, broadcasts must have taken place on or around Sunday, 9 December 2007 in conjunction with the 2007 International Children’s Day of Broadcasting.  The deadline for entries is 16 May 2008. More information and entry forms can be found at www.unicef.org/icdb.

To encourage youth participation in media throughout the year, judges not only consider the quality of the work, but also the commitment broadcasters make to engaging with youth on an ongoing basis.

"It is very important to create opportunities for young people to express themselves,” said Stephen Cassidy, chief of UNICEF’s Internet, Broadcast and Image Section.  “We want to honor broadcasters around the world that have made these opportunities possible.”

The ICDB Award regional judging will take place in UNICEF’s 8 regions. Entries are due to UNICEF’s regional offices by May 16, 2008. The top-scoring entries in each region will compete for the ICDB Award, to be presented in New York. 

Information about regional judging and entry forms are now available at www.unicef.org/icdb.

Last year, the ICDB Awards went to National Broadcasting of Thailand (NBT), ONUCI FM and Radio Mozambique.  NBT won for their program “From South to North, From East to West, Thailand ICDB-Unite for Children, Unite Against Aids, ” produced by Thai Youth News Center Association.  NBT was one of 6 regional ICDB prize winners, in addition to TV Cultura (Brazil), Gambia Radio and Television Services (Gambia), ZDF (Germany), Citizen TV (Kenya) and Syrian Satellite TV (Syria).  ONUCI FM and Radio Mozambique shared the first ICDB Award for Radio Excellence for their programs “ICDB Special” and “Child to Child Radio Programme” respectively.
Established in 1991, the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting encourages broadcasters to produce programming by, with and for children.

Source

PROJECTS / TV: (ETHIOPIA)

Ethiopian giraffe captures children's hearts

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia
11 February 2007 (BWNS)

The marriage of a local schoolteacher and an American software developer has resulted in the birth of a young giraffe that has captured the imagination of children in Ethiopia.

Tsehai, a hand puppet and star of a new television show in the Amharic language, is the brain-child of Bruktawit and Shane Etzenhouser.

Styled after classic children's programs like "Sesame Street," "Tsehai Loves Learning" is designed to help youngsters with reading and also develop other skills, including interacting responsibly with the environment. Indeed, the curious and adventurous Tsehai lives in a world of computer graphics fashioned to resemble the Ethiopian outdoors.

"The show is performing well so far," said Seifu Seyoum, head of program services for ETV, the national TV station. "I myself have two children, and every morning they want to watch Tsehai. There are many children and parents who like this show."

full article

EVENTS / WORKSHOPS: Critical Media Workshop (LEBANON)

 

 “Critical Media Workshop”

 

Within the framework of the Youth Media Center activities, and in the context of empowering youth in multi-media, The Arab Resource Center for Popular Arts/AL-JANA is pleased to inform you about a workshop in “Critical Media”.  This workshop will be a preparation phase for the “Jana International Film Festival for Children & Youth” which will take place in Tripoli involving Lebanese and Palestinian children and youth in a joint activity.

 

It is conducted by the media expert Hauvick Habe’eshyanne.

 

The topics to be covered:

-       Keys to Media understanding from the Technical, Functional and historical Points of view.

-       Criteria for assessing and critiquing films.

-       The Essence and purpose of cinema an overlook about its history and progress.

 

The workshop will be held at the Beit Al-Fan/Tripoli during the month of March 2008.

It will last for 6 days. It begins on March 7^th 2008.

 

For More Information:

Arab Resource Center For Popular Arts/AL-JANA

P.O. Box:  114/5017
Beirut, Lebanon
Tel/Fax:  +961 1 819970 Mobile:  +961 3 839917
arcpa@cyberia.net.lb  -  www.al-jana.org

 

COMPETITIONS / GRANTS: Tingim Yut Kompetisen 2007 Launched (PNG)

Tingim Yut Kompetisen 2007 Launched  

Port Moresby, November 27, 2007 – The Tingim Yut Kompetisen 2007 will be launched at the Koroboro International School today. Youth groups and community organisations are encouraged to participate and submit their innovative proposals for community projects from all around PNG.

The Tingim Yut Kopetisen held last year received a record number of 820 proposals from around the country. The theme of this year’s Kopetisen is “Kamapim Komuniti”. The Tingim Yut Kompetisen is a nationwide search aimed at finding and funding innovative projects for the benefit of PNG’s young people.

It is an initiative of the World Bank in partnership with Air Niugini, Bank South Pacific, Coral Sea Hotels, Digicell, Divine Word University, NASFUND, Pacific Enterprise Development Facility, Koroboro International School, and the French Alliance. 

The main objectives of the competition are to identify workable, ground-level ideas that will help address PNG’s key development issues and to assist small organizations to develop proposals and seek funding. The competitive process will identify local innovators and provide donors with potentially new avenues to work effectively at the grassroots. Ideas that work well will be publicized and may serve as successful models for use elsewhere.

The Tingim Yut Kopetisen assessment process will include workshops to assist the finalists to fully develop their proposals. Through these workshops finalists will be encouraged to develop their skills in budgeting, project management, monitoring and evaluation etc.  There will also be displays of innovative ventures by young people who are already doing something within the community in Papua New Guinea.

A youth representative will also be a guest speaker talking about their experience as youth entrepreneurs . Proposals to be submitted to the World Bank and the closing date for submission of proposals will be Feb 29, 2008. The assessment of the submissions will take place in April 2008 with winning groups to be announced end of the month.

These groups will then be asked to nominate one person to attend a workshop at Divine Word University in Madang to develop more detailed proposals and learn about project planning and implementation. In early May 2008, a representative from all finalist groups will be brought to Port Moresby where they will display their project ideas at a public forum.

On the Award Day, a panel of distinguished Papua New Guineans will decide and announce the winners. Winning groups will have their projects funded for 12 months. To be eligible for consideration, recognized youth or community groups have to find partnering organizations then submit application that answers a set of questions about their project plans. 

For more information please contact:  Port MoresbyRex Paura 675-321 7111 Email: Rpaura@worldbank.org

Deadline: 28th March 2008

Source

EVENTS: Second European congress on media literacy in 2009

Second European congress on media literacy in 2009 (Euromeduc)

In 2004, a European congress gathered the actors of media literacy in Belfast.
To pursue this process of exchange and reflection, the Euromeduc project organises a second European congress. Three thematic seminars prepare this congress. The Euromeduc project is led in close partnership with the European network Euromedialiteracy.

Led by four partners (Média Animation, the CLEMI, Zaffiria and the University of Algarve), Euromeduc implements a mechanism of exchange that gathers researchers, experts, educational managers and representatives of associations, as well as practitioners and specialists of European and extra-European media literacy. The aim is to promote the reflection on the implementation of media literacy from school right to the structures of continuous education, and to highlight the results.

Three specialised European seminars
The seminars will take place from June 2008 to February 2009 and will focus on three themes:

- Media production by young people and media literacy (Paris, 30 June – 2 July 2008)
- Lifelong Media Learning : innovative practices outside school (Brussels, 17-19 November 2008)
- Media literacy and appropriation of Internet by young people (Faro, 16-19 February 2009)

The seminars will analyse the European studies and programmes concerned. They will gather a maximum of 40 participants selected on the basis of their expertise and involvement in the theme under discussion. A system of grant will allow for financing the participation of small structures and practitioners. Each seminar will lead to the publication of a report to disseminate its result.

A European media literacy congress in Italy (Bellaria Igea Marina - Rimini, 13-16 May 2009)

The results of the three seminars will be used during a three-day congress that will address a wide audience (200 to 300 participants). A publication will include the conclusions and recommendations of the congress.

For more information: Euromeduc

Euromeduc is a project supported by the European Commission.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: 2ANNAS International Short Film Festival

2ANNAS International Short Film Festival in Latvia is open for submission of works to it's 2008 competition programs:

International Competition (directors ages 18-29);

Baltic Competition (directors ages 18-29);

Green Anna Competition (for filmmakers under 18).

Submission deadline: 15th of April 2008

Screening formats: DVD, DV, DVCAM, VHS, BETACAM SP/PAL

We accept feature short films, animation, music videos, documentaries, graphics, and experimental shorts. 

The films should be produced in the last 2 years, with a max. length of 30 min.

Fill-in the Entry Form online at www.2annas.lv. It will be automatically sent to your e-mail. Print it out and send it along with your work to:

2ANNAS Short Film Festival
Annas Street 2,
Riga, LV-1001
Latvia

WHERE: Riga, Latvia

DATES: 25th – 31st of May

MORE: www.2annas.lv

PROJECTS / TRAINING: Arctic Winter Games 2008 Youth Photographer Project

The Arctic Winter Games 2008 Youth Photographer Project was developed to
support the vision and presentation of the Arctic Winter Games as seen
through the camera lenses of four young photographers from the Northwest
Territories. These photographers are working with professional
photographers throughout the Games week. The best of their work is as
part of an online exhibition that will grow each day.

The first images from the official Youth Photographers of the 20th
Arctic Winter Games are now online at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arctic-winter-games-2008/sets/

These images are available for sale with 100% of the proceeds going to
the photographer.

AWARDS: Media award prize boosted to Dh250k (UAE)

Media award prize boosted to Dh250k

Cash prizes for members of the public who vote in a media awards scheme have been increased from Dh25,000 to Dh250,000.

The move by the organising committee of the Sheikh Mayed bin Mohammed Youth Media Award has been made in response to a high level of participation and following directives from Sheikh Mayed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (pictured above).

full article

NEWS: 'Children are switching off television to read'

'Children are switching off television to read'

By Aislinn Simpson

Last Updated: 1:38am GMT 07/03/2008

Children are switching off the television in favour of books and cartoon strips, a major poll of the young's reading habits has found.

The research, which coincides with World Book Day, shows that 45 per cent of 11-year-olds would now prefer to read rather than sit in front of the television, compared with 38 per cent of children four years ago.

A total of 4,500 nine and 11-year-olds in 61 UK schools took part in the survey by the National Foundation for Educational Research, which revealed that although the number of children enjoying reading has dropped in the past decade, the dramatic decline between 1998 and 2003 has at least been halted.

full article

NEWS: UNESCO campaigns for gender equality in media

UNESCO campaigns for gender equality in media

UNESCO's global operation to promote gender equality in the media, will be launched for the eighth year on International Women's Day on March 8.

Published on March 6, 2008

The campaign encourages news media to give the editorial responsibility to women journalists on that day.

'Women's Untold Stories' is this year's theme. In most countries, the way women are portrayed has not changed much despite an increase in the number of women working in the media.

full article

more info

INTERVIEWS: Dr. Michael Levine On Children in the Digital Age

Dr. Michael Levine On Children in the Digital Age
March 4th, 2008

The Joan Ganz Cooney Center takes children’s programming very seriously. Whether it’s going back to its roots where Sesame Street paved the way in children’s programming, or whether it’s in the research showing how to best educate our children, the people at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center show that they not only have smarts, they really care. The Center’s Executive Director, Michael Levine, PhD, took a few minutes to share with us the impact of media in this digital age, especially in regards to their research in “D is for Digital.”

CP: According to the press release, a major part of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center will be to see how interactive technologies can be utilized to help accelerate children’s learning. In your opinion, are we going to hit a point soon where children who do not have access to the technology in their pre-school years will be at a disadvantage. Please explain why this is an issue or not.

ML: Children in the pre-school years will, over time, like their older peers, be influenced deeply by the ubiquity of interactive technologies in their homes and communities. Whether it is how they will learn their first letters, or math concepts, or be introduced to relatives living in remote places around the globe, most children will begin to listen, talk, and learn in a new media environment beginning shortly after they are born. That does not mean, however, that pre-school youngsters who have limited access to technology will be disadvantaged in any fundamental way, so long as they have the basic elements to grow and develop the affinity for learning all that the world will one day offer. Young children today need the loving support of their parents and caregivers, consistent relationships of intense love and practical support, and the ability to explore diverse types of safe experiences with regularity and purpose.

full interview

TRAINING: Scoring for Feature Video (LEBANON)

 Scoring for Feature Video

 

Within the framework of the Youth Media Center, and in the context of empowering youth in multi-media, ARCPA/ AL-JANA is pleased to invite you to a workshop in “Scoring for Feature Video”.

 

It is conducted by the media expert Mr. Khaled Sabsabi

 

The topics covered will be:

 

1. Sound Basics

2. Terminology, TERMS and DEFINITIONS

3. Digitizing Sound

4. Sampling

5. Quantization

6. Common Sampling Rates and Bit Depths

7. File Types, File Sizes, and Compression Methods

8. Audio / Video Recording and Importing

9. Audio editing including processing / effects

10. Audiovisual synchronisation

11. MIDI

12. Mixing and referencing

13. Mastering and Rendering

 

The workshop will be held at the Arab Resource Center for Popular Arts/ AL-JANA during the month of March 2008. It will last for 10 days, 5 days a week (Monday to Friday). It begins on March 10^th and ends on the 21^st, 9:30 am to 4 pm. It is preferable that the participants have basic background or participated in media workshops previously.

 

For more information please contact Fadi Mohammed at 03-831991

 

P.O. Box:  114/5017
Beirut, Lebanon
Tel/Fax:  +961 1 819970 Mobile:  +961 3 839917
arcpa@cyberia.net.lb  -  www.al-jana.org

ARTICLES: No kid stuff this (INDIA)

No kid stuff this

5 Mar 2008

Attack!" the battle cry resonates... a bunch of kids are busy playing their favourite game, bringing to life characters of the popular children's television show Power Rangers.

Imaginary swords and other fancy gadgets come into play as kids don the role of their favourite ranger, mouth dialogues and strike martial art poses. You know it's a make-believe world, but it begins to alarm you — are they learning violence the play way, even if the characters are well-intended super heroes out on a mission to save the world?

(...)

Censorship?
Is censorship the answer, considering that the Minister of Women and Child Development, Renuka Chowdhury is also recommending censorship? The answer we get is a surprising 'No'. Film critic GLN Reddy says, "What's a Hindu mythological animated series without the battle scenes? The 'soft core' violence in some cartoons is something which parents themselves love to watch. Besides what's the point of censoring TV shows, when children have easy access to the internet?"

full article

NEWS / INTERNET SAFETY: EU Commission wants more safety for children on the internet (EUROPE)

EU Commission wants more safety for children on the internet

The EU Commission is planning to extend the "Safer Internet Plus" programme for the safer use of online media for children. The programme will now include Web 2.0 services like social networks and take account of new dangers these pose to children. The programme not only intends to fight illegal content, but will also protect children from harmful online behaviour like bullying or grooming. The programme, which has yet to be adopted by the EU Parliament and the Council of Ministers, is scheduled to run from 2009 to 2013, with a budget of €55m.

full article

NEWS / OBESITY: Junk food TV ads to be banned from April (UK)

Junk food TV ads to be banned from April

Television commercials promoting unhealthy food and drinks will be banned during programmes aimed at children up to the age of 16 in a bid to cut childhood obesity, Ofcom has announced.

The media watchdog said from April this year, advertising for products which were high in fat, salt and sugar, and which would particularly appeal to children, must not be shown in or around programmes for those under the age of 10.

From the beginning of January 2008, a total ban will come into force for advertising junk food during programmes aimed at or which appeal to under-16s.

full article

NEWS / MOBILE TECHNOLOGY / PROTECTION: Call to protect kids from mobile content (UK)

Call to protect kids from mobile content

Mobile operators today called on parliament to tighten up guidelines to prevent children accessing unsuitable websites and using their phones for bullying.

Representatives from the leading mobile phone companies also told MPs that handset manufacturers could do more to protect children from potentially harmful internet content they can receive on their phones.

Giving evidence at a Commons culture, media and sport select committee, industry executives said they could only offer voluntary filters on handsets to keep out the kind of content that might cause parents alarm but which may not actually be illegal.

"What should come out of these discussions and policy development is some really firm guidance, even to the point where there's clear legislation, as to what is deemed to be harmful and should not be made available," said Hamish MacLeod, the chair of the Mobile Broadband Group, which represents all five of the UK's network operators.

full article

ARTICLES / TRAINING: UNESCO invites youth from Palau, FSM, RMI to media training workshop (PACIFIC REGION)

UNESCO invites youth from Palau, FSM, RMI to media training workshop

By Philip N. Haruo
Horizon News Staff

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has put out a notice to the youth of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Nauru, and Kiribati to attend the UNESCO Young Media Producers Training Workshop to be held in FSM in June of this year.

The objective of the training, according to the notice, is to provide young media producers with two weeks of intensive advanced documentary and script writing skills. UNESCO has previously conducted two similar training workshops for the youth in Fiji (2006) and in Melanesia (2007).  UNESCO intends on repeating the same success in the Micronesian region this year.

This year UNESCO is targeting young media Micronesian media producers from TV stations, independent video productions, or young workers from civil society organizations. 

The subject for this year’s training is HIV and AIDS.  Experts on the subject will be on hand to provide the latest news, data, and medical progress on the epidemic for the benefit of participants.  The South Pacific Commission (SPC) Regional Media Centre will conduct the training, according to the notice, with partners from the United Nations and other development agencies.

full article

ARTICLES: Media regulation needed to help parenting (UK)

Media regulation needed to help parenting

By Tom Lloyd - Children & Young People Now
29 February 2008

More safe places and better media regulation are needed to help parents bring up their children, a study has concluded.

The report, which was produced for the Department for Children, Schools and Families, found that parents struggle to balance the need for children to have freedom with concerns about their safety.

Parents felt that they could not allow their children the freedom they had enjoyed as children without putting their offspring at risk of harm or negative influences. They were also concerned that popular culture is potentially damaging.

full article