Indian TV makers and viewers will have the opportunity to screen films from countries, which usually provide no TV content, at a UNESCO Forum on "Public Service Broadcasting and Cultural Diversity" that will take place in New Delhi, India from 23 to 26 August 2002.

The Forum is being organized within the framework of UNESCO's programme to promote local audio-visual production and distribution, in partnership with the Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT) of India.

The Forum's aim is to stimulate the reflection on public service broadcasting issues as well as at providing Indian television-makers and general public with an opportunity to screen challenging productions from countries, which are not usual content providers. UNESCO has proposed nine productions for the event coming from Africa, Asia and Latin America, which will be combined with screenings of Indian productions.

UNESCO will use the occasion to present its recently co-produced documentary on new communication technologies in Africa, Afro@digital, directed by Congolese filmmaker Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda. The 52 minute documentary explores how digital technology has changed the lives of Africans and raises challenging questions about the use of technology in fashion, music, film, television, research, politics, governance and in documenting humanity's memory.

The Public Service Broadcasting Trust of India, the co-organizer of the Forum, aims at fostering a public culture of broadcasting that is as exciting and cutting edge, as it is socially responsive and representative of democratic values. In doing this, PSBT seeks to re-fashion the paradigm of radio and television, not at the margins, but in the mainstream and at the very heart of broadcast.