African Development Forum: Digital media training to channel voices of African youth
16-11-2006 (Addis Ababa)
Digital video trainees in action
© UNESCO
As part of the activities commemorating the 5th African Development Forum UNESCO, UNICEF and UNECA organized a Media Training Workshop from 9 – 15 November in Addis Ababa for 35 African youths.
In the spirit of this year’s African Development Forum, organized under the theme “Youth and leadership in the 21st century”, the workshop equipped these young people to better utilize media (radio, television, print, Internet) as a platform for expression and as a means to foster broader participation of young people in all aspects of societal life.
The workshop participants were selected through UNICEF’s “Speak Africa Challenge” competition. The theoretical and practical training provided sought to build on and broaden their previous experience in media with a strong focus on using digital and multi-media information delivery.
Participants have been gushing with enthusiasm and satisfaction and have already produced mini-documentaries using material they captured in their home countries and since their arrival in Ethiopia. Raphael Kibindo’s of Tanzania’s comments are reflective of the vision and passion that these young people have for using media to empower youth voices, “When I go back home, I will make sure that I use this training to do good and valuable things. …..to help our fellow youths express their ideas all over the country.”
But even before going home these young opinion formers will have many opportunities to provide their perspectives on the Forum and challenges affecting development and young people in Africa. All workshop participants have been engaged as members of the official media team covering the event. Special segments produced by youth have also been provided in official broadcast, print and web coverage.
This year’s African Development Forum will run from 16 to 18 November and is being co-organized by the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and co-sponsored by UN System Agencies with youth mandates and other bilateral and multilateral organs. UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan will be in attendance to deliver his last major speech on development. The Forum provides a platform for debating, discussing and initiating concrete strategies for Africa's development.
The workshop participants were selected through UNICEF’s “Speak Africa Challenge” competition. The theoretical and practical training provided sought to build on and broaden their previous experience in media with a strong focus on using digital and multi-media information delivery.
Participants have been gushing with enthusiasm and satisfaction and have already produced mini-documentaries using material they captured in their home countries and since their arrival in Ethiopia. Raphael Kibindo’s of Tanzania’s comments are reflective of the vision and passion that these young people have for using media to empower youth voices, “When I go back home, I will make sure that I use this training to do good and valuable things. …..to help our fellow youths express their ideas all over the country.”
But even before going home these young opinion formers will have many opportunities to provide their perspectives on the Forum and challenges affecting development and young people in Africa. All workshop participants have been engaged as members of the official media team covering the event. Special segments produced by youth have also been provided in official broadcast, print and web coverage.
This year’s African Development Forum will run from 16 to 18 November and is being co-organized by the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and co-sponsored by UN System Agencies with youth mandates and other bilateral and multilateral organs. UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan will be in attendance to deliver his last major speech on development. The Forum provides a platform for debating, discussing and initiating concrete strategies for Africa's development.
Directing and camera exercise© UNESCO
Related themes/countries
· Capacity Building: News Archives 2006
· Training of Media Professionals: News Archives 2006
· Youth and ICT: News Archives 2006
· Africa: News Archive 2006
· Content Development: News Archives 2006
· Ethiopia: News Archives 2006
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Contact information
-
Contact
- Paul Hector, Advisor for Communication and Information in the Horn of Africa
- Indrias Getachew, Media and External Relations UNICEF-Ethiopia
- Josiah Maximillian Jarrett, OIC Information and Communication Service, Economic Commission for Africa
- UNESCO
Source
- UNESCO Office in Addis Ababa
Field office