Public service media (PSM) across Europe will collaborate with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and EBU partner association COPEAM to raise public awareness about World Refugee Day 20 June.

In a two-part initiative, Members from the EBU Euroradio Community will present ‘aLive’ – a multimedia project developed to mark World Refugee Day in cooperation with UNHCR and German public service broadcaster ARD-RBB.

Refugees from Afghanistan, Burundi, Colombia, Mali, Rwanda, Syria, Sierra Leone, Western Sahara and South Sudan were invited to create audio-visual material for the unique project, which was filmed in Algeria, France, Greece, Italy, Kenya, Panama, Romania and Ukraine.

The recordings recall lost homelands, lives and loved ones, and express hopes and fears about the changed circumstances of their lives.

Euroradio Members can select and insert material into their own programming, websites and digital platforms via  Euroradio 2See – the purpose built platform which enables Members to offer videos of concerts, live or on demand.

Euroradio World Music Chair Johannes Theurer (RBB/Germany) said the project commemorates the strength and resilience of almost 60 million people around the world who are forced to flee their homes due to war or human rights abuses.

“Refugees may leave behind physical possessions," he said, "but their songs remain a poignant reminder of who they are and where they are from, wherever they go.” 

Additionally, broadcasters from COPEAM, the Permanent Conference of Mediterranean Audiovisual Operators from all sides of the Mediterranean basin, have been invited to air a 30” TV and radio spot available in Arabic, English, French and Italian.

The clip, titled ‘The Mediterranean and the exodus of populations: the role of the media’ was made in tandem with UNHCR.

Videos

Nayim Alal, Western Sahara

Dima Ivashchenko, Ukraine