New York, Sep 18 : All India Radio Lucknow’s broadcast on the hopes and dreams of rag pickers and homeless children has won the International Children Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) Regional Award announced by the UNICEF.

UNICEF gives the awards for outstanding commitment to the ICDB by television and radio broadcasters, and encourages young people to get involved in television and radio broadcasting.

The 2009 ICDB theme, “Unite for Children: Tune in to Kids,” asked children to explore what they care about and what are their values, fears and dreams.

“I am very happy. I am speechless,” said Archana Prasad, the chief producer of the Lucknow program called “Kids Tune in to Us."

The winner of the 2009 ICDB Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony dinner at The Modern on November 10, 2009 in New York.

“We are thrilled with broadcasters’ dedication to the ICDB and children’s programming,” said Stephen Cassidy, Chief of UNICEF’s Internet, Broadcast and Image Section.

“We are inspired by the diversity and creativity these broadcasters exhibit in celebrating UNICEF’s mission to involve young people in the media-making process. Children around the world reap the benefits of their commitment,” he added.

The nominees, who won the regional competition, will now go on to compete for global honors. This year’s nominees come from India, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Germany, Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, South Africa, Suriname, Togo and Ukraine and represent the best work produced in 2009.

Regional judging took place between June and August and entries were evaluated by teams of broadcasters, radio and television experts and communications specialists.

The judges looked at content, execution and year-round youth participation.

Other winners included, ATN Bangla (Bangladesh, “Voice of Children”), Cambodia National Television (CNT) (“Youth Today”), Citizen TV (Kenya, “Angel’s Cafe”), Surinaamse Televisie Journaal (STVS) (Suriname, “10 minuten Jeugd Journal,” created and produced by The Backlot), Télévision Togolaise (TVT) (Togo, “A Nous la Planete) and Studio ‘Razom’ (Ukraine, “Big Secrets”). The ICDB Regional Prizes for radio went to Rádio Justiça (Brazil, “Sintonize as Crianças na Rádio Justiça”), EUCHIRA (Germany, “Kids from Germany Meet Kids from the Balkans”), Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (Ghana, “UNIIQ Curious Minds / Gems of our Time”), TRAXXfm, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (“Tune in to Kids”) and Maputaland Community Radio Station (South Africa, “Zisize Children’s Radio Project”).

The ICDB was launched in 1991 to encourage broadcasters worldwide to create awareness for children’s issues and takes place the first Sunday in March. On that day, youth write, report, produce and present programs that allow them to reach a wide audience with their thoughts on the issues that affect them. (ANI)