The 19th International Youth Media Summit Opens in Zanzibar
Diplomats, filmmakers and advisors are participating at the 19th International Youth Media Summit (IYMS) taking place from July 21 to August 5, 2024. Delegates from 22 countries have gathered on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar to focus on the most important 7 world issues: Discrimination, Environment, Health, Poverty, Violence, Women’s Rights and Youth Empowerment.
This year’s theme, Karibu Nyumbani: Home Coming, specifically encourages delegates to create their films using the perspective of Africa as the cradle of humanity. The main partners of this year’s edition are local film festivals Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) and Zanzibar Youth Arts Festival (ZAYAF).
With the guidance of various experts in the fields of diplomacy and film, the young participants have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers and create seven short films. The lecturers are international and local experts, and the topics are closely related to film, media and diplomacy.
Over the past 19 years, more than 2,000 delegates from nearly 70 countries have participated in IYMS programs. So far, more than 150 short films have been created and have been shown around the world: at the United Nations, for international officials, in school and university classrooms, on festival screens, television programs and social networks and websites.
Chairperson of IYMS Advisory Board, Birgitta Olsson from Sweden, adressed the delegates at the opening of the Summit: “For 19 years, I have watched the Summit family grow and become big and strong. That family will continue to grow. The previous meetings are truly intergenerational events, and the idea of IYMS is to let young voices sing”.
Gabriela Ramos, the Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO, said at the Opening Ceremony: “UNESCO hears your voices and is ready to integrate them in our work with governments and other partners. This year’s theme is significant as we mark the final year of the UN International Decade for People of African Descent. The impact of this Summit will extend beyond as you return to your communities, using the knowledge gained to drive local change. You can count on UNESCO’s efforts to support your action”.
The 19th International Youth Media Summit is supported by UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, the Seubert family and Seagate Farm. More detailed information is available on the official IYMS website and Instagram and Facebook profiles.
