Video/Audio

the oneminutesjr.

Agnes Mbiya, 16, sets up the camera during a workshop in Kisangani, DRC.

Theoneminutesjr. is a video initiative that highlights and celebrates the diversity among youth around the world. Workshop participants produce videos of sixty seconds that are positive and powerful examples of the way visual arts works as a communication tool across cultural, geographic and national borders.

Theoneminutesjr. gives 12-20-year-old youngsters, especially those who are underprivileged or marginalised, the opportunity to have their voices heard and to share their ideas, dreams, fascinations, anxieties, and viewpoints with the world. The process equips the young filmmakers with the fundamental skill of self-expression that is needed to participate fully in society. The intimate nature of the videos allows the viewer close – despite of geographical and cultural borders. Theoneminutesjr. is truly an international initiative. More than 1000 youngsters from 70 countries have taken part in the programme.

Theoneminutesjr was initiated in 2002 by The European Cultural Foundation, The One Minutes foundation and UNICEF in order to develop new tools for youth empowerment and social change. The success of the programme has been from the start based on tailor-made collaborations with European public broadcasters and national youth and media organisations. UNICEF has been working hard to expand the project globally.

In 2007, UNICEF sponsored workshops in over 15 countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Jordan, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, U.A.E and the Ukraine. In addition to individual workshops, long-term one minutes project exists in countries such as Argentina.