On 13 September 2011, the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Prague in partnership with the Jewish Museum in Prague and a Czech publishing house organized a public presentation of the book "Red Ribbon", authored by Annika Tetzner. The Israeli Holocaust survivor tells the story of her childhood in the ghetto of Terezin. 
 
In her introduction, UNIC Knowledge Management Assistant told the participants about the United Nations activities for the commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust. A lecturer from the Jewish Museum gave a brief introduction to the history of the Holocaust.
 
The Red Ribbon book presentation was followed by a Q & A session with the author.

The UN Information Office (UNO) in Uzbekistan, in cooperation with the UN Country Office, the UN Volunteers and UNDP in Tashkent, introduced its new calendar of events highlighting UN-related issues for the year. The launch event, held at the UN office in Tashkent on 9 September 2011, involved journalists, students, and experts specializing in UN-related matters.

The event kicked off with opening remarks from UNO Uzbekistan, followed by a detailed presentation of the UN activities conducted in Uzbekistan and around the globe. The presentation covered a wide range of topics related to youth and development, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and UNDP youth projects. A lively debate ensued when the students discussed what role the UN should play in raising awareness on global issues, and the responsibility young people have in resolving social matters.

UNDP Uzbekistan representative Laylo Zokirova, delivered  up-to-date information regarding the organization’s activities in Uzbekistan. Later in the day, UNO Uzbekistan showed a short documentary film on a day in the UN Secretary-General’s life, which captivated and inspired the students. The highlight of the day was when Utkirbek Tadjimov, President of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) Model UN Programme in Uzbekistan informed the group about the Global Model UN (GMUN) program, which allows students to role play as ambassadors and lobby topical issues on the international agenda.

The UN Information Centre (UNIC) New Delhi joined forces with Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC), a leader in 3D Animation and VFX training, in partnering an animation film festival promoting the Millennium Development Goals which aim to improve the quality of lives of the world’s bottom billion.
 
At a media launch in New Delhi on 8 June, UNIC and MAAC invited applications for the 24FPS international animation awards, which would showcase the best animation & VFX works in Hollywood, Bollywood, gaming and advertising films.
 
The 24FPS is designed to provide a common platform for young animators not only India, but also from countries like China, France, Germany and the US. It gives the young professionals an opportunity to understand the challenges and opportunities of the industry and learn from world-class experts of the industry. The award will be a key driver in the promotion of fresh talent in animation in India and has the support of the global animation industry.
 
Speaking at the event Ms. Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman, Director, UN Information Centre for India and Bhutan said: “It is appropriate that the MAAC-UNIC partnership is being forged in the ongoing International Year of Youth. This animation contest will raise awareness among young people on the Millennium Development Goals and hopefully lead to a renewing of their interest to get involved in efforts that can yield us a better world. Today, with technological advancements progressing at a rapid pace, such creative ventures, I believe, will go a long way in productively engaging young people. The UN Information Centre is pleased to collaborate with MAAC to deliver very tangible results.”
 
Talking about MAAC’s association with the UN in promoting the Millennium Development Goals, Mr. Ninad Karpe, CEO & MD Aptech Ltd., “The tie-up is a new thrust to achieve the 8 Millennium Development Goals. It will enable contestants to develop content in terms of animated films to promote these development goals which is the theme for inviting entries for the 8th 24FPS awards. We believe that the power of vocational education can empower an individual with the choice of being self-sustained.”

Also, announcing the forthcoming 24FPS Animation Competition website, he added, “The global animation industry is said to breach the $100 billion mark in 2012 and will cross $1 billion in India. Awards like 24FPS celebrate talent and bring to the limelight some of the best work done in this industry. Our academy is providing invaluable training to thousands of students who can enter the work place with new skills that can find them decent jobs.”

As staff training is featured in the UNCG South Africa work plan as essential to building the skills of UN Communications Group members, the UNCG South Africa is carrying out an innovative series of communication-related training sessions during 2011. These include press release writing, how to deal with the media, how to write for the web and a workshop on photography. There has also been a recent proposal to include training in social media.

Recognizing that communications/media experts may not be affordable or available (some, however, are willing to provide their services pro bono), UN staff are conducting the training sessions in-house, organized by the Chair of UNCG and supported by UNIC colleagues, including its webmaster.

Seventeen staff from UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNFPA, UNIC Pretoria, ILO and IOM, including some from the offices in Johannesburg, participated in the tutorial. The feedback on the evaluation forms was very encouraging. Staff indicated that the photography session was informative and interesting and it met their expectations. A few felt that the venue – the UNIC Library - was noisy (we will need to find more suitable venues for future training) and the duration of the session could have been longer. Others advocated for more training on photography. Several said they would share their new skills with colleagues.  As to suggestions for future training, writing for the web, social media and writing press releases and speeches topped the list.

Given the different skill levels for staff here in Pretoria, these workshops go a long way in helping the UNCG members communicate the UN story in ways that appeal to the public and media. Improved photos for UN websites and products and the media will slowly help the UNCG outreach activities raise the profile of the UN in South Africa and the region.