Youth Media Impact for World Peace

This project involves building the capacity of youth to use information and communication technology (ICT) to raise awareness about, and to spur action to address, a simmering ("silent") political clash. The first step involved organising an informative campaign in schools throughout Moldova to select the most interested teenagers for the project; in addition, IRFF ONLUS contacted the IRFF international network to involve participants from around the world. The process of selecting participants was based on each applicant's resume (curriculum vitae, or CV), letter of recommendation, and essay.

Following a preparatory period, a 4-day Youth Media Summer School was held for approximately 250 youth in August 2007. The workshop-based sessions involved creating teams of youth to work on a specific subject or field of interest by using radio, newspapers, or television. During the sessions, organisers used interactive means of conveying information about such topics as efficient communication and conflict resolution, inspiration for peacemakers, radio broadcasting, TV production, and newspaper making and article writing. In addition, the experience featured cultural programmes and contests and sessions in which youth engaged in dialogue to identify and float ideas about how to resolve community problems. The purpose of these sessions was to develop a spirit of teamwork among youth from potentially very different/conflicting backgrounds. Along these lines, a final concert was held to enable participants to present their achievements.

Both interpersonal interactions and printed materials are prominent strategies, post-camp. Centrally, participants are asked to implement media projects in their regions. (This process feeds into an international festival that will be held on the International Children in Media Day on December 9 2007.) In addition, IRFF ONLUS will publish a book that includes materials from the summer camp training sessions; it will also include concrete information about how teenagers can create their own radio studio, TV studio, and/or local newspaper. The book will consist of the articles and the radio interviews crafted during the summer camp, and will be distributed to future camp participants and others. The project also will involve editing and distributing booklets and other informative materials and a number of CDs including the video spots filmed by the participants will be produced. An evaluation of the project will follow; it will include youth situation analyses and perspectives.

Youth, Conflict.

Officially registered in June 2001, IRFF ONLUS Moldova has worked to create and sponsor development projects that stimulate an exchange of knowledge, skills, and service between developed and developing countries. The primary work of IRFF ONLUS stresses the value and importance of sustained long-term development and assistance - in collaboration with other non-profit organisations providing humanitarian aid. IRFF ONLUS also believes strongly in volunteer youth service programmes and service learning.