Video Volunteers Wins Commendation from University of Queensland's Centre for Communication and Social Change for "Courage and Extraordinary Commitment to Communicate for Social Change"

NEW YORK, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Video Volunteers, an international communications organization working with unheard communities across the world, has been granted a meritorious commendation in the 2011 Communication for Social Change Award program administered by Centre for Communication and Social Change (CfCSC) at the School of Journalism and Communication, within The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Video Volunteers was recognized for its work in providing journalistic, technical, critical-thinking and creative skills to individuals and communities via sustainable, low cost models.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100930/DC74190LOGO )

The Communication for Social Change Award, the only one of its kind in the world, recognizes individuals and organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to using communication to transform and empower marginalized communities. Sixty-five nominations were received from 27 countries.

Co-Director of the CfCSC, Associate Professor Pradip Thomas, noted that this year's applications were of an outstanding caliber. "Not only did we receive almost four times as many nominations as last year, but the organizations and individuals nominated are all undertaking transformational communication projects," Dr. Thomas said.

"The Centre was impressed by the excellent work Video Volunteers is undertaking, and the courage and extraordinary commitment they have demonstrated to communication for social change, particularly in exploring difficult subjects such as caste system and gender," said Dr. Thomas. "Video Volunteers is a very deserving organization that has created a huge network of video producers and trained many people to carry on the work. They work tirelessly to provide a voice for literally thousands of very poor people in rural places and urban slums who have never had access to media."

"There has been a definite shift in the way global media functions – citizen journalism is making an impact," said Video Volunteers founder Jessica Mayberry. "The time is right for initiatives such as ours to push to bring the poor into the mainstream media.

"The award is an honor and encouragement for Video Volunteers and other organizations who work to empower the oppressed by giving them the tools and skills to speak out, be heard and bridge the great information divide."

About Video Volunteers
Video Volunteers identifies, trains and empowers grassroots media producers who create change in and for voiceless communities in the developing world. The organization's work has been recognized by the Knight News Challenge, Echoing Green, TED, Waldzell, the King of Belgium, UNDP, UNESCO, YouTube, and others who have helped Video Volunteers elevate the voices of these rural communities.

If you wish to speak with Jessica Mayberry or Chair of the Board Davia Temin, please contact Trang Mar at Temin and Company at 212-588-8788 or [email protected].  

For further information on Video Volunteers, please visit www.videovolunteers.org or follow us @twitter/video volunteers or fan us on Facebook/Video Volunteers.

For further information on the CSC Awards, please visit http://www.uq.edu.au/ccsc/csc-award or contact Siena Perry at [email protected].  

Available Topic Experts: For information on the listed experts, click appropriate link.
Jessica Mayberry -- http://www.profnetconnect.com/jessica_mayberry
Davia Temin --  http://www.profnetconnect.com/davia_temin

SOURCE Video Volunteers