Press Centre

Press Release

Children’s Voice from Ukraine wins 2002 OneWorld/UNICEF Award for Outstanding Children’s Radio Programme

Entries from Ukraine, Belize, the Philippines, the United States and Senegal selected as finalists for prize

NEW York, 23 May 2003 - Children’s Voice from Ukraine has been named the winner of the 2002 OneWorld/UNICEF award for outstanding radio produced by and for children.

The award recognizes radio programming that gives a central role to children – as producers, editors, reporters and presenters – and allows them to give their own perspective on the world around them. It also recognises the great reach of radio into communities often unreachable by other media. The prize was launched for the first time last year by UNICEF and OneWorld Radio. Entries were received from all over the globe.

The winning entry, Children’s Voice – Street Children is a programme featuring powerful interviews with children who live on the street and focuses on their rights and concerns. The broadcast is one of a series on children on the street produced by the Independent Children’s Media Center in Kiev, Ukraine. Children between the ages of ten and eighteen had complete control of the project, which was set up by the Media-Center, with support from the Foundation of Youth Culture and Education.

The other finalists were:

Kid O’Rama
Belize
The Kid O'Rama (KOR) Show is researched and produced by a group of children drawn from different backgrounds. The show focuses on child rights. This edition uses songs, interviews and features a segment on teenage pregnancy. Supported by the National Committee for Families and Children.

Tingog sa Kabataan - Voice of the Children
Philippines
This programme in Tagalog is produced by 18 high school and college students from Cebu City, Philippines, some of whom have been victims of abuse. It's about children and young people’s rights. Supported by Terre des Hommes and ECPAT (eliminating child prostitution, child pornography and trafficking of children).

Shining in the Ghetto
USA
A disproportionate number of young black and Latino children in the USA grow up in inner-city ghettos. Carlton Taylor, who lives in Harlem, New York looks at the future faced by young people of colour. Supported by Radio Rootz.

Freedom of Expression
Senegal
“I am a Child but I have my rights too!” A mini-drama features children discussing their right to contribute to the communities around them. Supported by Plan International.

“Children’s voices are often overlooked by media”, says Jackie Davies, OneWorld Radio Manager. “We are hoping that this competition will encourage radio stations to give children a voice by including programmes made by and for children in their broadcasts.” OneWorld Radio (www.oneworld.net/radio) -- a part of OneWorld.net - a global non-profit network of up to 1,500 NGOs worldwide –- is an online community of radio stations and NGOs sharing programs and ideas on sustainable development and human rights.

“We are delighted that our partnership with OneWorld has produced a competition with such excellent entries,” said Marjorie Newman-Williams, UNICEF's Director of Communication. “The award highlights how radio – which is the most powerful of all the mass media in reaching people around the world – can also empower children,” she continued. “Radio can give children a chance to speak to the issues that directly affect their lives.”

The International Children’s Day of Broadcasting on December 14 is another great opportunity to celebrate child-focused radio. www.unicef.org/icdb/

All entries from the competition are available for listening on OneWorld Radio, campaign page http://radio.oneworld.net/index.php?fuseaction=cms.campaignsPage under “Radio Prize 2002”.

For more information on the radio prize please contact:

Jeannette Gonzalez, UNICEF New York, (212) 326-7278, jgonzalez@unicef.org
Mohammad Jalloh, UNICEF Media, New York, (212) 326 7516 mjalloh@unicef.org
Jenny Eschweiler, OneWorld Radio Editor, jenny.eschweiler@oneworld.net