Young media makers from Malaysia, UK, Italy, Canada, Israel, USA and China, among other countries, gathered in New York for the PLURAL+ 2011 Awards Ceremony on November 10th, 2011 to celebrate the 2011 Plural + Youth Video Festival award winners. The event took place at the Paley Center for Media in New York City, from 6 to 8pm.
PLURAL+ is a Youth Video Festival on Migration, Diversity and Social Inclusion and a joint project of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNOAC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with the support of many partner organizations from around the world.
The goal of this video festival is to ensure youth engagement in these important issues both at local and global levels by making their videos available through a variety of media platforms and distribution networks including broadcasts, internet, festivals, conferences and events around the world.
Responding to the call to participate in the festival, young people from around the world produced short videos addressing the challenges of migration, diversity and social inclusion, as well as denouncing injustices while proposing their own original and creative solutions to develop more peaceful and multicultural societies.
This year’s PLURAL+ edition received 146 videos coming from 54 countries, representing youth visions from the five continents, advocating for a better world. A prestigious international jury selected three videos, one for each age group (9-12, 13-17, 18-25). Partner organizations are also selecting video entries to PLURAL+ for awards, exciting prizes and professional opportunities.
This video festival is a powerful platform to raise awareness on many issues affecting communities worldwide. “Probably the most impressive thing are the stories. I learned a lot from different cultures and social issues in various nations” said PLURAL+ 2011 international jury member Renzo Devia.“
PLURAL+ creates a unique opportunity for young people to express themselves on these important issues. “I think this year’s edition of PLURAL+ clearly shows that young people have something to say about migration and intercultural understanding. We should listen to them”, said Markus Nikel from PLURAL+ partner BakaFORUM added
An initiative of the UNAOC and IOM, PLURAL+ is organized in collaboration with many international partners including: Anna Lindh Foundation, BaKaFORUM, CHINH India, Roots & Routes Germany, United Nations TV, Media Education Center Belgrade, UNESCO Audiovisual E-Platform, COPEAM, Turkish Cultural Center of New York, SunChild Festival Armenia, Cine y Salud Spain, SIGNIS, Global Block USA, RED Unial Cuba, Without Borders Film Festival, Scalabrini International Migration Network, Royal Film Commission of Jordan, Universal Forum of Cultures Foundation, NEXOSAlianza Spain, ictQatar, MTS Travel, Gulen Institute, and the Paley Center for Media.
Special guests for the award ceremony on Thursday included Stephane Dujarric, Director, United Nations Department of Public Information, News and Media Division; Pat Michell, President, the Paley Center for Media; and Hon. George “Rithm” Martinez, US Cultural Ambassador who will be the MC of the event. Live music by GlobalBlock Collective was also featured.
Please visit the PLURAL+ site for additional information:
www.unaoc.org/pluralplus