Press release
RTÉ and Irish Aid Launch New Touring Exhibition, '50 Countries, 50 Stories'
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Produced by KMF Productions, the RTÉ television series What in the World? has filmed in over 50 countries across the globe. To mark that milestone, as well as almost two decades on the air, RTÉ and Irish Aid have commissioned a brand-new travelling exhibition, ‘50 Countries, 50 Stories’.
MC’d by RTÉ’s Colm Ó Mongáin, guests viewed the new dedicated exhibition, which brings a wide range of stories together for the first time. Throughout 2020, Irish audiences will have the chance to see this free exhibition as it tours libraries across the country.
Peadar King, producer and presenter of What in the World?:
“RTÉ’s global affairs series What in the World? has been bringing astonishing stories into Irish homes for almost 20 years. From stories of hope and inspiration to stories of oppression and suppression, the series has examined lives lived amongst serious and persistent poverty, and a wide range of complex social and political situations across the developing world.”
Colm O'Callaghan, Commissioning Editor, Specialist Factual said:
“50 countries is a remarkable record; of storytelling, of investigation and of insight. To see it all translated into this fine travelling exhibition says something compelling about the unique role of public media in educating, informing and enlightening. Exceptional stories are beautifully captured in this ambitious exhibition, ambitious not only in the breadth of stories covered, but also in the range of destinations we will cover in libraries around the country.”
Ciarán Cannon T.D, Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, said:
“What in the World? gives a voice to those in the majority world, and demonstrates how our fellow humans are confronting the myriad problems they encounter on a daily basis, many of which threaten their very survival. Irish people have a long tradition of reaching out in solidarity. Our own national story, our history and our experience of development informs our development programme. This exhibition offers people all over Ireland the opportunity to learn and to consider the complex global contexts that underpin a world in need of our assistance and our understanding.”
The event also marked the launch of a new book, War, Suffering and the Struggle for Human Rights by Peadar King.
What in the World? 50 Countries 50 Stories is presented by Irish Aid, KMF Productions, and RTÉ. The exhibition opened this evening in Dublin’s Kevin Street library and will tour the following libraries nationwide:
• Kevin St., Dublin, 15-31 January
• Blanchardstown, Fingal 1-15 February
• Tallaght, Dublin, 17-28 February
• Portlaoise, Co Laois, 29 February-14 March
• Dún Laoghaire, 16-30 March
• Westside, Galway City, 2-18 April
• Killarney, Co Kerry, 20 April-1 May
• Mullingar, Co Westmeath, 5-18 May
• Louth,19 – 31 May
• Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, 8-20 June
• Kilkee, Co Clare, 4-19 July
• Mallow., Co Cork 29 July-12 August
• Kilkenny, 13-31 August
• New Ross, Co Wexford, 1-12 September
• Ashbourne, Co Meath 14-28 September
• Donegal, 30 September-13 October
• Tullamore, Co Offaly, 14-27 October
ENDS
About What in World? / KMF Productions
The first of the ‘What in the World?’ series was launched in 2004. Since then it has become RTÉ’s pre-eminent global affairs series. Initially, the focus was on human rights violations (Breaking Stones, India) resource exploitation (Fish and Ships, Senegal), and indigenous rights (The United Colours of the Mapuche, Argentina). These issues continue to feature in the series. More recently, the focus includes the devastation of war (A Deserted People, Western Sahara) and climate change (Requiem, Greenland). The ‘What in the World?’ series has been overseen by RTÉ commissioning editors Mairéad Ní Nuadháin, John MacMahon and Colm O’Callaghan, and produced and directed by Mick Molloy and Peadar King of KMF Productions.
About Irish Aid
Irish Aid is the official development assistance programme of the Irish Government, and a leader in the fight against world hunger and poverty. Ireland is committed to reaching those furthest behind and contributes to initiatives in around 130 countries each year. Through their support for international development, Irish citizens continue to be instrumental in helping some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world to build better lives for themselves, their families and their communities.
RTÉ
RTÉ is Ireland’s national public service media organisation and is one of the longest serving public service broadcasters in Europe. A not-for-profit organisation, RTÉ exists to meet the media needs of Irish citizens with over 94% of the population using one or more of its services each week. RTÉ’s vision is to champion Irish culture by captivating audiences with trusted, engaging and challenging content; celebrating Ireland’s diversity; and cultivating Ireland’s talent. RTÉ operates the most popular television, radio and online services in the country; it endeavors to meet the needs of audiences of all ages; and with diverse programming including; news and current affairs, music, drama, arts, children’s programming, documentary, live performance, live sport and Irish-language programmes. RTÉ One and RTÉ2 television typically air at least 18 of the top 20 programmes broadcast by any channel available in Ireland every year and over 2 million listeners tune into RTÉ radio services each week. RTÉ remains one of the most trusted organizations in the country with 81% of people considering RTÉ to be an important part of Irish life.
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Joseph Hoban, Head of Communications and Corporate Engagement, RTÉ, 086 8128662.