UNICEF honored for short film on 'Protecting Childhood' in Occupied Palestinian Territory

At a glance: Occupied Palestinian Territory

UNICEF honored for short film on 'Protecting Childhood' in Occupied Palestinian Territory

2010 Communicator Award of Excellence

Afif Thaeir Shamasheh, 6, plays on a swing at a playground in Jayous village, near the barrier between Israel and the West Bank. Afif takes part in a YMCA psycho-social programme assisted by UNICEF and the European Union.

NEW YORK, 28 June 2010 – UNICEF has been honoured for its coverage of the challenges facing Palestinian children in ‘Protecting Childhood’, a short film that recently won the 2010 Communicator Award of Excellence, sanctioned and judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts.

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“The Award of Excellence, our highest honour, is given to those entries whose ability to communicate puts them among the best in the field,” said an Academy spokesperson.

UNICEF won its award in the charitable/non-profit category.

As part of a YMCA psycho-social programme assisted by UNICEF and the European Uniion, a counsellor speaks to Maha (right) in a refugee camp in the West Bank city of Nablus.

‘Protecting Childhood’ was commissioned by the European Union as part of a multimedia project highlighting its partnership with UNICEF in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Produced by Chris Niles and edited by John Mims, both of UNICEF, the five-minute documentary focuses on helping Palestinian children and their families cope with the conflict and violence that affect their daily lives.