The Jingpo language HIV/AIDS, drug and trafficking prevention radio drama, “Life of Tragedy”, took first prize at the Fifth Provincial Literary and Artistic Creation Awards held recently in Kunming, Yunnan, China.

This radio “soap opera”, written by the renowned Jingpo author, Professor Yue Jian, and produced by a team from Yunnan Radio, combines an exciting story with HIV/AIDS, drug and trafficking prevention information.  The author and the Yunnan Radio broadcasting team produced the programme using the methodology developed by UNESCO – a methodology designed to guarantee the production of culturally and linguistically appropriate materials. Financial support for this programme came from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to UNESCO.

“Life of Tragedy” was broadcast twice by Yunnan Radio, first in October 2004, and again in February 2005.  With further financial assistance from UNESCO, the drama was reproduced on both cassette tapes and CDs and distributed to 260 Jingpo villages in Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan, in early 2006.  Copies of the programme have also reached the Kachin State in Myanmar/Burma.

The UNESCO methodology has been used to produce radio programmes in Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Yunnan Province since 2002.  The programmes receive funding and support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through the UNESCO Regional Project on Trafficking and HIV/AIDS.

More information can be found on the Trafficking and HIV/AIDS website: www.unescobkk.org/culture/trafficking. Inquiries can be addressed to David Feingold at d.feingold@unescobkk.org; or Heather Peters at h.peters@unescobkk.org

David A. Feingold, Ph.D.
Director,
Ophidian Research Institute
and
International Coordinator for HIV/AIDS and Trafficking, Office of the Regional Advisor for Culture,
United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization,UNESCO Bangkok Office
5th Floor Darakarn Building, 920 Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
Tel: (662) 391-0577 (ext.504)
Fax: (662) 391-0866
Home (Bangkok): 258-8796
Visit: www.unescobkk.org/culture/trafficking