Multilingual versions of the public service announcements used in the largest multimedia anti-racism campaign in Canada
TORONTO, April 16, 2008 - The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) is pleased to announce its partnership with Rogers OMNI Television to produce multilingual versions of the public service announcements (PSAs) used in the largest multimedia anti-racism campaign in Canada. In Phase Three of the See people for who they really are: Unite Against Racism campaign, the PSAs will be made available in eight additional languages: Cantonese, Italian, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Tamil and Urdu. A teacher's guide and a 48-minute documentary on the making of the PSAs, Directors' Speak, featuring the five original directors, will also be released.
"I am very pleased that Rogers OMNI Television has agreed to support this initiative which will make this very valuable anti-racism tool available to a wider audience," says Dr. Ayman Al-Yassini, Senior Executive Vice President of the CRRF. "It is important that everyone is made aware of racism and the need for all to combat it."
The first of the Unite Against Racism campaign was launched in 1999 with over 14 corporate, broadcast and community partners which included the television spots as well as bus-shelter advertisements. Phase Three will be produced by Stephen Thomas Limited under the guidance of Gail Picco who produced the original campaign.
"The impact of making key anti-racism messages available to multilingual audiences is an important step towards building an inclusive and accepting Canadian society," says Madeline Ziniak, National Vice President of Rogers OMNI Television. "OMNI is privileged to contribute, participate and make a difference in these aspirations."
The study guide and its accompanying DVD, along with a preview of the documentary will be presented at the CRRF's Award of Excellence Symposium at the Coast Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre in Calgary on May 1, 2008. Additional information on the symposium and awards are available on the Foundation's website: www.crrf-fcrr.ca