Category: Africa;
bbc.co.uk;
Radio
Date: 24.05.2005
Printable version
In an exclusive interview for BBC local radio, Lord
Puttnam - president of UNICEF UK and chair of the Teaching
Awards - says: "I'm an avid supporter of the BBC's World Class
scheme to create 1,000 twinned schools between the UK and Africa.
"I think it could have remarkable results, not
just in Africa - where obviously it'll make a lot of difference. But
also in the way that young people in this country understand what's
happening overseas and in Africa and, in understanding that, influence
and affect their own lives."
His interview is part of a day of BBC local radio programming
designed to encourage schools to get involved in twinning projects.
BBC local radio stations across the UK are spearheading
the drive to recruit 1,000 schools beginning on
25 May - the UN's Africa Day and the date that the Commission
for Africa is bringing out a schools version of its report.
Also on local BBC radio stations on 25 May are interviews
with two partners in the BBC's World Class project - Nick Maurice, Director
of UK One World Linking Association; and Anna Colquhoun from Link Community
Development.
Two schools in Malawi are also featured - one which
is already enjoying twinning with a British school, and another that
is looking for a twinning partner.
BBC World Class, a new pan-BBC initiative, encourages
schools to establish links between classrooms across the globe through
its website - bbc.co.uk/worldclass.
The website offers schools information about getting
started with twinning and outlines the reasons for getting involved.
It also provides a chatroom for teachers to share their experiences
and swap advice and tips, to make the experience as rewarding as possible.
Partners in the initiative include the British Council,
Link Community Development, UK One World Linking Association, Voluntary
Service Overseas, Dolen Cymru, Youth Sport Trust, Plan International
and Africa Bookcase.
Virginia Crompton, BBC World Class creator and Project
Leader, says: "It works. International twinning can be an incredibly
enriching experience, not just for children but for parents and teachers,
too."
BBC World Class is working with Africa Lives
on the BBC - a unique collaboration between the BBC family
of TV, radio and online services and culminating in a full week of programmes
on BBC ONE devoted to African life.
The G8 Conference, the Commission for Africa and the
20th anniversary of Live Aid are the backdrop to Africa Lives on the
BBC, making 2005 the year when the continent will dominate the headlines
like never before.
