First prize for Radijojo

Radijojo is a global NGO based in Berlin that enables children to use media as tools for learning and cultural exchange. Its Media Summer Camp was recently awarded a prestigious prize, the "Goldene Göre", by German children's charity "Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk" and the German Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. Representatives of Radijojo will attend this year's Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum to present their work. The conference, entitled "Culture. Education. Media. Shaping a Sustainable World", will take place from 25-27 June in Bonn, Germany.

The "Goldene Göre" (approximately: Golden Brat) award honors projects and initiatives that facilitate the participation of children and youth in society. The prize ceremony recently took place in Berlin's Friedrichstadtpalast in the presence of more than 1,400 invited guests. Among them was the mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit.

Radijojo was selected from 100 projects throughout Germany. Its Media Summer Camp project brought together children from Berlin and 20 different countries to collaborate in an audio and video exchange via Skype. Under educational media guidance they jointly discussed and produced reports on topics such as children's rights, the environment, schooling and daily life.

"The award confirms and acknowledges our work," saidThomas Röhlinger,founder and editor-in-chief of Radijojo. "For many years we have been demonstrating how non-commercial, educational children's media can contribute to international understanding, intercultural exchange and integration - and that children from deprived areas and neighborhoods can excel in this too. We hope that the recognition helps to intensify support from society and the political realm so that children in Germany and around the world can learn, connect and find friends through our global radio network for children."

Radijojo's activities in Germany and around the world have earned it recognition as an official project of the UNESCO Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Patron of the Radijojo is Daniel Barenboim, general music director and principal conductorof the Berlin State Opera and music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.