By Politico Staff Writer
Sierra Leone through the Acting Director of Government Information Services in the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, Emmanuel A.B. Turay was among dozens of distinguished guests that participated in the 50th Japan Prize 2023.
The event was held at the Harajuku Hall, Harajuku, in Tokyo City from the 20th - 23rd November, 2023.
The Japan Prize is an international competition dedicated to educational content that was established in 1965. The competition has supported the power of the media by awarding outstanding works that expand the possibilities of education.
Japan Prize 2023 received a total of 391 entries from 55 countries and regions around the world.
The Grand Prix Japan Prize 2023 was awarded to Mohamed Babai (Gum Films) for a documentary series titled “Two Kids a Day” which was set in the West Bank. The four boys who appeared in the film were sentenced to long prison terms on charges of throwing stones at Israeli soldiers. The Director and Producer of the film are from Israel and Palestine.
The finalists (audio-visual works) were categorized into four divisions namely, the preschool, Primary, Youth, and Lifelong Learning divisions.
It was reported that 700 Palestinian children are arrested by the Israeli army every year, which is an average of two kids a day.
According to the Acting Director of GIS in Sierra Leone, Emmanuel A.B. Turay during the festival week in November, the Japan Prize hosted screenings, sessions, and workshops. He said that Delegates from around the world were invited to watch outstanding works and exchange thoughts and ideas. He added that the Japan Prize is a platform for everyone interested in celebrating the power of media for education.
He further disclosed that the 50th Japan Prize 2023 is the first-ever series in which Sierra Leone has been represented among the audience and participants. He said it was beneficial for Sierra Leone due to the fact that this year’s awards targeted educational content that uses images and sound.
The Acting Director stated that every year, finalists from each country and region come to Japan with their unique proposals and they inspire one another. He expected Sierra Leonean talents to also send in proposals and entries for next year and he entreated the public broadcaster, SLBC to replicate similar projects in the country.
He was hopeful that the Sierra Leone version will pay close attention to developments in education as well as civic education as the country continues to grow together.
Awards for the best works, Honors, Best Proposal, Outstanding Proposal, and special prizes formed part of the closing ceremony.
Copyright (c) 2023 Politico (24/11/23)
