A Commitment to Children TV Series - Tajikistan

In 2003, UNICEF Tajikistan plans to expand its cooperation with the mass media (in particular, with the Republican/Governmental TV company) through a television series focussed on protecting the rights of children. The objectives of "A Commitment to Children" will be to:

• create awareness in civil society on the rights of the child by highlighting children in need of special protection measures
• inform the audience about the situation of children who are deprived of family care, the government efforts to address them, and the responses of international agencies and NGOs to these issues
• capture children's views and inform the public about what they experience and what needs to be done.

Main Communication Strategies
As of this writing, the exact nature of the proposed programme is being elaborated and, thus, is in draft form. However, organisers project that the series will include 16 episodes, each of them devoted to a particular theme. Some episodes will consist in commentary and on-site shots, some will predominantly involve interviews, and others will address children's perspectives and suggestions for change - in their own words. In addition, panel discussions (UNICEF round tables/seminars) involving people and officials who are concerned with the issue, including children, may make up the format of the programmes. The planned programme is slated to be broadcast in the programme slot devoted to the subject of orphans every week: Tuesdays from 6:30 PM to 6:45 PM. The content may include subjects and themes like:

• The Convention on the Rights of the Child (with an emphasis on articles relating to the rights of children to be protected, and associated obligations on the part of the government and civil society, communities, and parents)
• the situation of children in need of special protection, like street children, children deprived of parental care, working children, drug-abusing children, children who are victims of sexual abuse, child prostitutes, and children in prison;
• responsible parenting
• girls and education
• community-based alternatives to institutionalising children, like adoption, sponsorship, and foster care
• government legislation, programmes, and projects
• projects supported by international agencies and conducted by NGOs
• results of relevant research.

The approach will be defined by positive criticism; reflections that point to a solution; direct challenges to the state, government, and civil society to address the problems of these children; and prominence given to the voices of concerned people and children rather than commentators.