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INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION - Democracy Video Challenge
The US Embassy Suva announces an international competition titled the Democracy Video Challenge - a public-private partnership initiative to engage young filmmakers, democracy activists and citizens from around the world in a global dialogue on democracy. Contestants in the Challenge are asked to create short (three minute) videos that complete the phrase: "Democracy is..."
The prize package includes:
• An all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., New York and Hollywood.
• A screening of the winning videos.
• Exposure to filmmakers and the U.S. film and television industry.
• Meetings with democracy advocates from government, the media and civil society.
The guidelines are as follows:-
1. Contestants must be 18 or older to enter the competition. A designated individual may submit on behalf of a younger film maker.
2. Video submissions may use any narrative and technical style, including documentary, fiction, live action or animation.
3. Entries must have no incitement to violence, no profanity, no pornography, no commercial promotion, and no copyright material.
4. Entries must be 3 minutes in length, and be in English or have English subtitles.
5. Entry video submissions must be uploaded to the YouTube Contest site at www.youtube.com/democracychallenge by midnight GMT January 31, 2009.
6. A broadcast-quality copy of the video submissions on tape or DVD must be provided to the:
Public Affairs Section, U.S Embassy Suva, 31 Loftus St, Suva, by midnight GMT January 31, 2009.
7. Each Contestant may submit only one Video Submission.
The Challenge will result in the selection of one winning video from each of six regional groupings: AFRICA, EAST ASIA PACIFIC, EUROPE, NEAR EAST, SOUTH CENTRAL ASIA and WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
Winners will be selected through a multi-step review including country and regional level selections. Public web-based voting will determine the final winners. An anonymous category will afford entrants who, for reasons of personal safety or local circumstance, may want a way to enter the contest without providing personally identifying information.
The winning videos from each of the six geographic categories and the anonymous category will be screened at a gala event hosted by the Motion Picture Association of America (September 2009).
In addition, the six regional winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to the United States-- Washington, New York and Los Angeles (The anonymous winner is ineligible to claim the US-based prize). In Washington, prize activities will focus on democracy with meetings/events with government, media and civil society leaders. In New York and Los Angeles, they will focus on the U.S. film and television industries, with partners providing access to TV/film sets, meetings with directors, film technicians, professional talent agents, new media experts, and tickets to the Universal Studios theme park in Los Angeles.
Challenge partners for the competition include U.S. democracy and youth activists, media organizations, film experts and academia. YouTube is providing the video platform. Videos that meet Challenge guidelines will be posted on the Challenge's YouTube page at www.youtube.com/democracychallenge . Additional important information on the contest is available at the YouTube site and at http://www.videochallenge.america.gov/rules.html.
The Democracy Video Challenge timeline is as follows:-
o January 31, 2009: Video Submissions due
o February 1, 2009 - March 31, 2009: Embassy selects semifinalists.
o April 1 - April 30, 2009: Independent jury selects finalists
o May 15 - June 15 2009: Online voting by the global public
o Mid-June 2009: Seven winners announced
o October 2009: Travel to the United States
Note that this information can also be found on our website: http://suva.usembassy.gov/
If you do decide to take up the challenge - I wish you the best!
PS. Check out the promo at http://www.videochallenge.america.gov/video.html
FOR FURTHER QUERIES : Talk to Alena S. Vesikula, PD Assistant - American Embassy, Suva, Fiji
Phone: (679) 331-4466 Ext: 8152 - Fax: (679) 330-8685 - E-mail: VesikulaAS@state.gov
"Effort is important, but knowing where to make an effort in your life makes all the difference."
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Caregivers courses starting in Suva. Certificate/Diploma courses, morning/afternoon Saturday classes. Phone 3601377, 9227065.
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Passenger Service Vehicle Driver Training Programme
Level 1 - (Light PSV)
PassRite/Coral Sun Fiji Driving Academy offers an intensive 5 day driver training to enable drivers to be professionally trained and qualify for Light P.S.V. Driving Licence in Fiji. The course comprises theory and practical training, Defensive Driving Course, First Aid training, two days of practical driving and preparation for Light PSV Driving Test.
Applicants (males and females) must be of 21 years of age, and must have held a full valid class 2 driving licence for a minimum of 2 years and more.
Total cost is $575.00 per participant. The cost includes all course materials, Road Code, all LTA fees, Police Clearance report, refreshments, meals and vehicle for practical training and one driving test. Payments can be made by cash or through FNPF Education Assistance Funds
Bookings are scheduled as follows;-
Nadi from 13th October - 17th October 2008 and Suva from 20th October - 24th October 2008. Applications for both trainings close on Wednesday 08/10/08.
Only 12 participants will be accepted for each course. Demands are high, so book now to avoid any disappointment.
Graduates from this training may be given an opportunity to work for Coral Sun Fiji or other organizations in need of professional drivers.
For more information and bookings - call:-
Keshmi Lata on 9908714 or Ambika on 9908712 or Coral Sun Fiji - 6723105 (O/H - Monday to Friday 8.00am - 5.00pm) Email: - drivingacademy@csf.com.fj
www: http://www.passrite.co.nz/index.asp?click=fiji
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Employment , Career & Participation Opportunities for Fiji Youth :
UN COMMISSION OF THE STATUS OF WOMEN 2009:
Expressions of interest for Pacific Island women, keen to participate in the 2009 UN Commission of the Status of Women process are attached to this document that you can download . Applications to be send directly to UNDP Pacific Centre.
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Vodafone Announces Scholarships worth $0.5million
July, 2008
Vodafone Fiji Limited has announced 40 scholarships worth around half million dollars for degree and diploma programs tenable at the University of the South Pacific and Fiji Institute of technology.
The funding from Vodafone will allow 15 students to take up Bachelors Degree in Computing Science, Information Systems and Engineering Technology at USP from 2009. Another twenty five (25) students will get to complete diploma in electronic engineering courses from the Fiji Institute of Technology. The scholarships will cover tuition and book fees for the duration of the course.
The scholarships will be open to students who attain very good grades/marks in their form 7 or foundation courses and whose parent's joint income does not exceed $20,000 per annum.
Contact the the Chief Marketing Officer of Vodafone Fiji Ms Avanthi Senaratne for more information
The scholarships are tenable from semester one of 2009.
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Computer (IT) classes. ENROLLING students now.
Enrolment for afternoon/evening computer classes @ Keshal's Computer Ministry recognition No: 9797 Certificate in IT course for 8 weeks starting 29th September, 2008 7 units included: Ms-Word Ms-Excel Ms-Access Windows Hardware Internet PC maintenance Fees: $25per week only.
Sessions: 4pm-5.30pm, 5.30pm-7pm, 7pm-8.30pm (select one Session only) Classes: 4 days a week (Mon-Tue Wed-Thurs) 1PC per person. Location: 4th floor Deoji's Footwear Building, 63 Marks St, Suva.
Contacts: 3307577 Mr Khan 9911345 or Valania 9713968 FNPF accepted (free enrolment).