The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) seek Asia-Pacific broadcasters and producers to submit entries for the Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award. The Award, launched in 2001, is given each year for the best television programming on a child rights issue produced in the Asia-Pacific region. It recognises the efforts of broadcasters in pursuing the production of top-quality children's programming and better news coverage of children's issues.

Televised programmes both for children and about children are eligible and can cover any child rights issue. Entries can include documentaries that detail the plight of children, dramas that help break down stereotypes and discrimination, or animation that teaches and entertains.

Entries must have been broadcast between June 2008 and May 2009. The Award will be presented during the CASBAA Convention on November 3 - 6 2009. The winner will be flown to Hong Kong for the ceremony.

There is no limit to the number of entries and no fee. Non-English narration and non-English subtitles require an English script. Entries must be submitted in VCD or DVD format. Press materials including still images would be welcome. This competition is open to all ABU and CASBAA members.

Click here for more information.

Eligible countries include:

Afghanistan, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, DPR Korea, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Lao PDR, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshal Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea , Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Timor Leste, Thailand, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam.

Click here to read about previous winners.

Email from Kritsada Jirathun to The Communication Initiative on April 16 2009.