Broadcast on Señal Colombia and Discovery Kids, Plaza Sésamo uses engaging live action, animation, and colourful characters in an effort to meet the educational needs of young children (ages 3-6) in Colombia - through an entertaining medium. The show features the furry and feathered Muppet characters Abelardo, Lola, and Pancho. Each episode combines animation, live action films and original music videos with segments produced on the Plaza Sésamo set to engage children and help them better understand the world around them.

As part of an effort to showcase the cultural diversity of Latin America on Plaza Sésamo, new live actions films produced in Colombia will offer a window into Colombia for viewers by engaging local children and youth in the production process. Specifically, teenagers will create live action films - part of an effort to give them "a voice and learning tool." In addition, primary school children, ages 5 to 9, will be given cameras so that they can take photos of moments in their daily lives. These photos will be used to inspire production of new animated segments, which will appear on Plaza Sésamo's 11th season (airing April 2008).

Educational print materials will be produced to complement and extend the impact of the television series. The materials will be designed to appeal to both children and parents and will be available at paediatrician offices, family and community centres, hospitals, and daycare facilities.

A variety of research studies will be implemented as part of an effort to ensure that the programme effectively reflects and addresses local needs. Formative research studies will assess children's local interests so that these can be reflected in the material developed for the project. The studies will also provide information on the appeal and comprehension of Plaza Sésamo content, as it is being developed, to further enhance the relevance of the materials. In addition, an impact evaluation will assess the project's reach and effectiveness.

Early Childhood Development, Education, Health.

Founded in 1968, Sesame Workshop is a non-profit organisation that partners with local writers, artists, researchers and educators in 120 countries around the world to create edutainment programmes with characters, sets, and content specifically designed for young children. Delivered through television, radio, film, video, books, magazines, and community outreach, these programmes are shaped by a research methodology that aims to engage and enrich children from particular cultures, while recognising the characteristics and needs that children, everywhere, share.

The World Heart Federation is a non-governmental organisation based in
Geneva, Switzerland, which is committed to helping the global population achieve a longer and better life through prevention and control of heart disease and stroke, with a particular focus on low and middle-income
countries. It comprises 189 member societies of cardiology and heart foundations from over 100 countries covering the regions of Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Americas and Africa.