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  UNEP website, 8 Apr 05
New Multimedia Environment Show Announced
Big Durian Productions Partners with UNDP and UNEP to Produce Multimedia Environment Show

Nairobi/ Singapore/ Geneva: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are partnering with Singapore-based production house Big Durian Productions (BDP) together with the Singapore Economic Development Board to produce a multimedia environmental show titled Eco 4 the World (E4W). Conceptualised as a half-hour 13-part television magazine show, E4W will be officially launched at MIPTV 2005 in Cannes, France from 11 to 15 April 2005.

Jean Fabre, Deputy Director, UNDP in Geneva commented, “This is a very timely initiative, because 2005 is a make or break year for the Millennium Development Goals. If they are to be achieved, we need the involvement of every individual and every institution. This is why we believe that it is important to harness the power of communications in an entertaining manner to raise awareness of what is at stake and to generate action around each of the goals, and in particular to improve the environment.”

One of the architects of the series, Stephan Attia (formerly head of programming at TV 5 in France, currently the Asia agent for Eurosport, and the founder of the Surf Channel) commented “We wanted to bring a fresh approach to a globally important subject. The involvement of Sting, Alicia Keys, Desmond Tutu and Simple Plan, among others, will engage audiences and help communicate the positive environmental message.” "UNEP is proud to be associated with this exciting multimedia project," said Eric Falt, UNEP's Director of Communications and Public Information.

"Eco 4 the World will reach out to a young global audience, communicating environmental ideas and messages through innovative, lively and interactive programming. Young people are an incredibly important consumer group. By highlighting the positive and the possible, with an up-beat tempo, Eco 4 the World will complement UNEP's work to spread the message of environmentally sound living for a sustainable future."

E4W aims to promote Goal Seven of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals: namely, care for the environment and the need to generate sustainable development.

The project will create environmental awareness around the world by focusing on fun and innovative positive interaction with the environment.

The TV series will be in a magazine format showcasing each week eco-themed stories sourced from around the globe about people and places, as well as the latest eco happenings.

The overall treatment is “Warm” and “Feel Good”, with short segments each varied in location and subject matter.

Topics include food, fashion, architecture, business, Eco-art, Eco-stars and Eco-sport, among others. Each of these segments will feature individuals and organizations making a positive impact on the environment.

E4W is designed and targeted for global distribution and broadcast in as many conceivable modes of transmission, including non-commercial, public broadcast in developing countries.

A 24-minute sample episode containing stories from Denmark, Thailand, Hawaii and Singapore as well as interviews with Alicia Keys, Sting, Wyland and Desmond Tutu will be showing at the UN booth at MIPTV 2005.

There is also a 2-minute trailer of E4W on the booth (G3.39). and at www.eco4theworld.com.

links
The E4W website which has a 2-minute trailer and links to
ECO 4 the World network
: an invitation-only online community that brings together like-minded people who want to hear your ideas and help you with your environmental projects. Brings together the collective ideas, energy and vision of people with the same aspirations for environmental preservation and restoration. To increase awareness in the hope that it will lead to long term solutions for those environmental issues that need to be addressed.
ECO 4 the World Foundation: its vision is to mobilize people to create a sustainable planet, as part of the UNDP's Millennium Development Goal Seven. New educational approaches are needed to encourage lifestyle changes, and the E4W Foundation is playing a role in development and dissemination of these educational means.

Related articles on Singapore: general environmental issues

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