Press Release
23 October 2008
UEA film makers bring developing world to UK screens
Award-winning
film-makers will be showcasing their work to Ivan Lewis, Minister for
International Development today.
The Minister is visiting the CBA-DFID Broadcast Media Scheme, which is based in
the School of Development Studies at the University of East Anglia, Norwich.
The scheme, which is funded by DFID, but run by the CBA (Commonwealth
Broadcasting Association) was set up to provide development funding for
programme-makers and producers so they could travel to the developing world and
shoot taster tapes to offer to UK commissioners. The aim of the scheme is to
ensure that coverage of the developing world reaches as wide a UK audience as
possible.
BBC East producer Paul Baker will present his award-winning documentary, ‘The
Hospital’ to the Minister. The film, which was the winner of the One World Award
2006, follows the story of Northampton woman Anita Smith, who started supporting
the development of Bansang Hospital in The Gambia after visiting it while on a
family holiday. Anita raised funds for the new children’s ward and nurses’
accommodation in Bansang and set up a partnership link with Kettering Hospital.
Paul went on to make a second film, fully funded by the BBC, where he returned
to Bansang and witnessed the real changes that had taken place.
The Eastern Daily Press has also won the One World, Local Media award twice, and
has been awarded funding through the scheme for two projects – James Ruddy’s
trip to a children’s orphanage in Mygoma, Sudan, and Chris Starkie’s visit to
Bangalore to cover Norwich Union’s relocation to India.
Ivan Lewis said:
“This scheme is a great way to provide the public with information on global issues that are of interest to us in Britain. It helps film makers like Paul tell how Anita has saved the lives of children in Gambia by raising money to help build a new children’s ward in the local hospital.
“People care about what is going on in the developing world and so I
congratulate CBA and its members on the good work they do to communicate this.”
This autumn, as a result of the scheme being based in the Department, the
University has launched an innovative Masters programme in Media and
International Development Law. The first intake of students comes from diverse
international backgrounds and has been invited to meet the Minister.
Student Beth Titchner, of Norwich, has already established herself as a video
editor, with a particular interest in international children’s rights,
communication and advocacy. She is focused on the debate around the media and
international development.
Beth said:
“I think that now is a particularly interesting time to be looking at the
subject due to the re-structuring of media markets brought about by
technological change, and the effect this is having on effective communication.”
Suzanne Harris is Malawian, brought up in the UK. She has worked with
organisations including MTV Staying Alive, Amnesty International, and the World
Development Movement. She worked in Zambia where she developed sustainable
educational models to train peer-to-peer educators and budding journalists for a
youth-led media organisation.
Suzanne said:
“I hope to create films and documentaries to highlight world issues that
influence and revolutionize governmental change to bring about unity, equality
and accountability.”
Note to editors
DFID is leading the UK government’s fight against global poverty. DFID supports initiatives that promote understanding amongst children and young people about the wider world and global issues in the UK.
For further information, contact Timma McKean at COI East on 01223 372797 or
Matt Wells on 020 7023 1840, e-mail
pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk or call our Public Enquiries Point on 0845 300 4100.
Back
to top
