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In 2006 The American Ireland Fund began a partnership with Sesame Workshop to bring its proven programming promoting respect, tolerance and understanding, to the children of Northern Ireland.

Thanks to the lead sponsorship of AIF donors, 26 episodes of Sesame Tree were developed and in 2008 the broadcast began.

Today, this historic initiative is moving into an exciting second season.

The Opportunity
Studies show that children as young as three years old in Northern Ireland have sectarian beliefs. Protestant and Catholic children have few opportunities to interact and learn about each other’s traditions. The American Ireland Fund identified Sesame Workshop as an ideal partner in addressing the needs of this next generation.

Sesame Workshop has created local co-productions of the show in over 30 countries. The Workshop collaborates with local educators and researchers to develop a curriculum and works with local producers, writers, musicians, actors and puppeteers to create impactful programs. Each program captures the fun and essence of the original program while depicting the unique culture of the country and caters to the educational needs of each audience.

Sesame Tree follows local characters Hilda and Potto on their adventures. Live-action vignettes illustrate the diversity of Northern Ireland covering themes such as patience and sharing. There is a “Question Tree” that encourages children to be open and to ask questions—even about difficult or sensitive topics. As Sesame Tree producer Veronica Wulff describes it, “There are a lot of things people don’t like to talk about, so we thought the tree would be a great icon for openness and encouraging kids to ask their questions.”

What Difference Has It Made?
Aligned to the revised Northern Ireland Statutory Curriculum, Sesame Tree is now broadcast across the entire U.K. A website www.bbc.co.uk/ni/schools/sesametree offers interactive games that promote the development of decision-making skills. Local preschools have received outreach materials to continue the messages of tolerance and understanding to young students. Early follow-up studies conducted by Queen’s University, Belfast are showing that after watching Sesame Tree children are more willing to be inclusive of those from other backgrounds. Their understanding and interest in cultural events different from their own is increasing as well. The findings are encouraging and point to a need for this programming to continue.

How You Can Help
In keeping with our ongoing commitment to a new society in Northern Ireland, The American Ireland Fund continues its partnership with Sesame Workshop. The success of the Sesame Tree initiative has opened the doors for another season and fundraising is underway to ensure that Northern Ireland’s children can continue to benefit from this ground-breaking programming. We urge you to consider a gift to support this effective and highly visible project.