In a press release, the group said with UNDP’s support it sought to develop the leadership skills of 22 youths through the project, which started on June 1, 2010. Incorporating the theme “2 minutes for peace” participants were tasked with promoting social tolerance through video by November 2011 and increase awareness of the models of youth leadership available in the community. The infomercials started airing from October 10, 2011.
During the training period, the participants who were drawn from different communities worked together over a four-week period to create short infomercials that would reflect people and communities coming together. The video mode was chosen because films provide an alternative way to teach people the skills necessary to seek social justice through peaceful means, the group said, adding that they can also “be a deeply engaging way to learn many things from education, science and social change but also form engaging storytelling that makes history pertinent.”
YCG said the University of Guyana’s Centre for Communication Studies partnered with it, providing training and technical assistance in the production of four two-minute infomercials. Initially, the Centre provided two weeks of training; however, the training period was extended and “our young people are better equipped today to undertake similar productions.” YCG extends gratitude to the Centre and UG for its support in helping it achieve its objectives as well as to UNDP and its other friends.
