SESAME
STREET NORTHERN IRELAND
Sesame
Street in Northern Ireland:
A Media Project to Promote
Respect and Understanding
Goals
Sesame Street Northern Ireland will serve as
a catalyst to
help children develop the skills to challenge
ignorance, dispel
stereotypes and champion diversity. The program
will also
serve as a valuable resource for children,
parents and
educators by:
Contributing to
a “Shared Future” in
Northern Ireland.
Presenting positive images to children of the
self and others.
Imparting the values of mutual respect, understanding
and the appreciation of diversity to counter
negative
stereotypes that attempt to dehumanize the “other.” Helping
the early childhood community in Northern Ireland
achieve its strategic goals.
Unique Approach
Sesame Workshop’s unique approach to
educational media
brings together local educators, content specialists,
producers, and creative talent to address children’s
needs in a
culturally relevant context. As with all of
the Workshop’s local
adaptations, Sesame Street Northern Ireland
will be informed
by and truly reflect the issues of the region.
The program will
encourage a shared society in which people
make choices
that are not bound by historical divisions
and where there is
respect and tolerance for cultural diversity.
The anticipated educational plan will focus
on topics related
to diversity and acceptance: racism, -sectarianism,
gender,
and respecting people with disabilities. These
themes of
tolerance and conflict resolution are not new
to Sesame
Street programming. In 2003, Sesame Storieswas
launched
to encourage the understanding of cultural
diversities in
Israel, Jordan, the West Bank and Gaza. In
2004, Rruga
Sesam and Ulica Sesamwere launched in Kosovo
to foster
respect and understanding among children within
a
multiethnic society.
All children
deserve a chance to learn and grow,
to understand the world and each other, to
dream,
discover, and reach their highest potential.
| Project
Deliverables |
26, 10 minute episodes of local Sesame
Street
programming in Northern Ireland.
Community outreach and educational
materials distributed throughout the area.
|
| Partnerships
and Support |
Senior
executives from Sesame Workshop have traveled
to Northern Ireland to meet with representatives
of the public and private sectors, including
broadcasters, government ministries, and
educational organizations.
Given the prevailing political openness and drive for change, coupled with the
recent disarmament of the IRA, there is agreement that this is a good time for
a Sesame Street project oriented toward respect and understanding. Many local
organizations have made important commitments to the project. For example, NIPPA
(Northern Ireland Preschool Play Association) has agreed to be our educational
outreach partner.
The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Youth and the Community Relations
Council have been champions for the project and The Office of the First Minister
and Deputy First Minister continues to express strong support for the project.
Importantly, Secretary of State Peter Hain has endorsed the project and has pledged
his support in helping to bring Sesame Street in Northern Ireland to fruition.
The BBC NI is the project’s preferred broadcast partner. Discussions with
them are underway and we are optimistic that we will secure a broadcast commitment.
|
| Project
Cost and Term |
Sesame Street in Northern Ireland will
unfold
over an 18-month period. We are seeking
US$
1.9 million to cover the costs of educational
content development and research,
production, educational outreach, and project
management.
To date, we have received
funding commitments totaling $750,000
from the Northern Ireland Fund for
Reconciliation and the International Fund
for
Ireland.
We also have indications of support
from The Lottery fund, the Office of First
Minister Deputy First Minister and the
Northern Ireland Film and Television
Commission.
|
| Small
Beginnings Profound Possibilities |
| Sesame
Workshop’s experience over
the better
part of four decades teaches us that small
things — a hand puppet, a kind word,
a song— can
make a big difference. It makes clear that
small beginnings have profound possibilities. |
More information: 212-689-3111
e-mail >
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