"The World in One Minute" event launched?on September 29,?by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) at the Shanghai Expo's UN Pavilion provided an insight into the lives, dreams, and views of children from around the world. The event has been organized to showcase how children have been empowered to express their views on important issues through media.

"Many people are not aware that children have the right to express their opinions on issues that affect them and these views should be given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child," said Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF Representative in China. "This right is guaranteed by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and we are excited to be able to inform the public at Expo about it through the fascinating medium of children's short films."

The two-day event, with support from the One Minute Foundation in the Netherlands, presents several videos from the archives of the One Minutes Juniors project, an international initiative that gives 12-20 year-old youth, especially those who are underprivileged or marginalized, the opportunity to have their voices heard through short films .

The videos screened at the event focused on the themes of "Better Cities, Better lives" and "My Life, My Dreams." The young film makers portrayed the experience of living in urban settings and documented a day in their own lives. Children's short videos from China Central Television (CCTV) Children's Channel will also be shown at "The World in One Minute" event.

Aside from the video screening, "The World in One Minute" event also brings together professionals on children's rights, media experts, and children themselves to discuss media as an avenue for children to express their views on the issues affecting them.

During the discussions, child reporters from CCTV will share their experience presenting children's views through the mass media and how they themselves have benefitted from the participation. The two day event will also include what is sure to be a lively open dialogue called "Digital Media, Social Networking and Young People."

"When children have the opportunity to participate in the media in an authentic way everyone benefits," said Dale Rutstein, Chief of Communication for UNICEF China. "Adults gain insights into the world of children, children gain confidence while learning useful skills and important decisions affecting children can be enhanced."

UNICEF is currently working with CCTV to introduce the One Minutes Junior project in China next year.