Video produced by Southern Sudanese children to show on SSTV

A new television series titled ‘Peace in My World’ comprised of 18 short films produced by Southern Sudanese children will be shown on Southern Sudan’s only television station every Saturday from 6:00pm starting Saturday, 15 May 2010.

The one-minute episodes were produced by 18 children who participated in five days of basic TV production training conducted by Theoneminutes Foundation, an experienced Dutch TV production organization, through a partnership between UNICEF and South Sudan Television.
“Through UNICEF’s generous support, these children will now form the foundation for engaging other children in meeting the information needs of our young generation,” said Francis Duku, Acting Director of the South Sudan TV (SSTV).

“This partnership is all about helping build media – in this case TV – that is capable of giving children a voice in which to express their hopes and aspirations as well as their concerns and fears and in doing so promote the fundamental rights all children share,” said Ken Maskall, Officer in Charge for the Director of Operations for UNICEF Southern Sudan Area Programme. “This is one way we can all be reminded of the need to support and promote the rights of children,” he added.

UNICEF on its part urges the media in Southern Sudan to engage children in generating and producing content through which their voices can be heard to enhance their contribution to policy making and development.

The training of young film makers is one of several workshops UNICEF Southern Sudan Area Programme has undertaken to give children a means for addressing important issues. In 2009, UNICEF Southern Sudan also supported the training of 30 children in the production and broadcasting of radio reports on current affairs via Southern Sudan Radio Juba.

The short films were produced during five days of training in which child videographers learned about pre-production planning, film and narrative techniques, and post-production. The children’s films – focused around the theme of peace – are personal statements about the pains and pleasures of growing up in Southern Sudan and the challenges children face; such as child neglect, violence, and abuse that exist in homes, schools, and the community.

The videos can be accessed from the following link:

http://www.theoneminutesjr.org/index.php?thissection_id=10&movie_id=201000206&series_id=51