BIG DURIAN PRODUCTIONS PARTNERS WITH UNDP, UNEP

 

TO PRODUCE MULTIMEDIA ENVIRONMENT SHOW

 

(Reissued as received.)

NAIROBI/SINGAPORE/GENEVA, 8 April (UNEP) -- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are partnering with Singapore-based production house Big Durian Productions (BDP) together with the Singapore Economic Development Board to produce a multimedia environmental show titled Eco 4 the World (E4W).  Conceptualised as a half-hour 13-part television magazine show, E4W will be officially launched at MIPTV 2005 in Cannes, France, from 11 to 15 April 2005.

Jean Fabre, Deputy Director, UNDP, in Geneva, commented:  “This is a very timely initiative, because 2005 is a make or break year for the Millennium Development Goals.  If they are to be achieved, we need the involvement of every individual and every institution.  This is why we believe that it is important to harness the power of communications in an entertaining manner to raise awareness of what is at stake and to generate action around each of the goals, and in particular to improve the environment.”

One of the architects of the series, Stephan Attia (formerly head of programming at TV 5 in France, currently the Asia agent for Eurosport, and the founder of the Surf Channel) commented:  “We wanted to bring a fresh approach to a globally important subject.  The involvement of Sting, Alicia Keys, Desmond Tutu and Simple Plan, among others, will engage audiences and help communicate the positive environmental message.”

“UNEP is proud to be associated with this exciting multimedia project”, said Eric Falt, UNEP's Director of Communications and Public Information.  “Eco 4 the World will reach out to a young global audience, communicating environmental ideas and messages through innovative, lively and interactive programming.  Young people are an incredibly important consumer group.  By highlighting the positive and the possible, with an up-beat tempo, Eco 4 the World will complement UNEP's work to spread the message of environmentally sound living for a sustainable future.”

E4W aims to promote Goal 7 of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals:  namely, care for the environment and the need to generate sustainable development.  The project will create environmental awareness around the world by focusing on fun and innovative positive interaction with the environment.

The TV series will be in a magazine format showcasing each week eco-themed stories sourced from around the globe about people and places, as well as the latest eco happenings.  The overall treatment is “Warm” and “Feel Good”, with short segments each varied in location and subject matter.  Topics include food, fashion, architecture, business, Eco-art, Eco-stars and Eco-sport, among others.  Each of these segments will feature individuals and organizations making a positive impact on the environment.

E4W is designed and targeted for global distribution and broadcast in as many conceivable modes of transmission, including non-commercial, public broadcast in developing countries.

A 24-minute sample episode containing stories from Denmark, Thailand, Hawaii and Singapore, as well as interviews with Alicia Keys, Sting, Wyland and Desmond Tutu, will be showing at the UN booth at MIPTV 2005.  There is also a two-minute trailer of E4W on the booth (G3.39) and at www.eco4theworld.com.

Notes for Editors

For more information about E4W, please visit www.eco4theworld.com

About Big Durian Productions Pte Ltd (BDP)

BDP is a Singapore-based production company specializing in innovative, “big idea”, “big picture” multi-media projects, in which it takes on global themes and finds ways to make them come alive for a worldwide audience.  BDP’s mission is to design and implement communications programmes which deeply touch people and awaken in them a desire for change.

Providing strong online and interactive support, BDP assists broadcasters the world over to engage, retain and build audiences around the globe.

BDP is backed and supported by the likes of Upstream Ventures (www.upstreamventures.com) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (www.sedb.gov.sg).

Contact Details:

Big Durian Productions Pte Ltd, 50B Club Street, Singapore 069427, tel: +65-63271182, fax: +65-62371172, Web site: www.big-durian.com.

Directors:

Gerald Molles, Chief Executive Officer, e-mail: gerald@eco4theworld.com

Bjorn Sandin, Chief Operating Officer, e-mail: bjorn@eco4theworld.com

Clive Wright, Marketing Director, e-mail: clive@eco4theworld.com

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The UNDP is the United Nations global development network advocating for change.  It is also an organization that connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources in order to help their peoples build better lives and a brighter future.

Contact Details:

United Nations Development Programme, UNDP Geneva Office, 11-13 Chemin des Anemones, Chatelaine, CH - 1219 Geneva, Switzerland, tel: +41-22-9178206, fax: +41-22-9178008, Web site: http://www.undp.org.

Irena Mihova Productions Manager, UNDP TV Partnerships Executive Producer, Eco 4 the World, e-mail: irena.mihova@undp.org

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

The UNEP is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system.  The UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment.  To accomplish this, UNEP works with a wide range of partners, including United Nations entities, international organizations, national governments, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and civil society.

Contact Details:

United Nations Environment Programme, P.O. Box 30552Nairobi, Kenya, tel: +254-20-623 292, fax: +254-20-623 927, Web site: http://www.unep.org

Eric Falt, Spokesperson/Director, Division of Communication and Public Information, e-mail: eric.falt@unep.org

Steve Jackson, Head of Audio Visual, Division of Communications and Public Information, e-mail: steve.jackson@unep.org.

In New York, contact Jim Sniffen, UNEP Information Officer, tel: +1-212-963-8094/8210, e-mail: info@nyo.unep.org, Web site: www.nyo.unep.org

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