How Sesame Workshop is Working to Promote the Intellectual and Cultural Development of Children Around the World An innovative method of applying and integrating expertise in production, in educational content, and in research Effective for more than 36 years with evident benefits for children around the world Experimental Approach For: Interamerican Workshop “The role of arts and communications media in education for a democratic citizenship” Santo Domingo, June 16-18,2010

LARGEST INFORMAL EDUCATOR OF CHILDREN IN THE WORLD Our co-productions benefit more children in more countries across more cultures than any single children’s program in history. Poland 1996 Sweden 1981 Norway 1991 Russia 1996 Canada 1973 The Netherlands 1976 Kosovo 2004 N. Ireland 2008 Turkey 1989 Germany 1973 France 1978 China 1998 Japan 2003 United States 1969 Portugal 1989 Israel 1983 Bangladesh 2005 Spain 1979 W.B./Gaza 2007 Jordan 2007 Mexico 1972 Egypt 2000 Kuwait 1979 India 2006 146 countries Colombia 2007 Nigeria 2007 Philippines 1983 Indonesia 2008 Tanzania 2007 Brazil 2007 South Africa 1998 Australia 2004 2

Meeting local educational needs Bangladesh: Girls’ Education Basic Skills Critical Thinking Egypt: Health Mexico: Health, Safety, Nutrition Environment Gender Equity Literacy Northern Ireland: Mutual Respect & Understanding Palestine: Self Esteem Boys’ Empowerment Russia: Diversity Preparation for Life in an Open Society South Africa: Literacy, Numeracy, & Life Skills HIV/ AIDS SUPPORT THE UNITED NATIONS MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Achieve universal primary education Promote gender equality and empower women Reduce child mortality Improve maternal health Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases Ensure environmental sustainability Develop a global partnership for development Whenever we start a new coproduction our process starts with formative and participatory research that collects information and views from local experts from a variety perspectives including child development, education, children’s media, and policy, among others. We then convene these local experts to a curriculum seminar where together we develop the educational goals for the show. The educational goals and curriculum that come out of this process then informs our production and outreach processes (from script writing, to educational material development, to production considerations).   Research shows the educational importance of children of different backgrounds being able to see themselves and their culture portrayed on the screen in a positive light. So wherever we develop co-productions our aim to develop contents, characters, and a street that children from that country, with different backgrounds, and conditions can identify with.

ACHIEVING MAXIMUM REACH and IMPACT Mass Reach TV Radio PR & Advocacy On-Product Messaging Alternative Broadcast (EDUSAT) Low Technology High Technology Digital Initiatives Print Alternative Visual Media Community Viewing We use comprehensive strategies across multiple platforms that address both reach and impact, tailored to country-specific conditions Delivery mechanisms – across two dimensions (scale of technology and scale of reach) Training & Child Care Center Initiatives Community

International Impact: Evidence from Research Bangladesh EXPOSURE TO SESAME STREET IS LINKED TO: Gains in literacy & math Bangladesh [ACPR, 2007, see graph) India [GyanVriksh, 2008] Mexico [SEP, 1999] Russia [Ulitsa Sezam Res Team, 1998] Promoting Respect & Understanding across Cultural Divides Kosovo [Fluent, 2007] Israel/Palestine [IJBD, 2002] Increased health knowledge Egypt [SPAAC, 2002] Colombia (Mt. Sinai, 2010) Mexico (CINCO, 2009) Changes in knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS South Africa [Khulisa, 2005] Tanzania [Borzekowski & Macha, 2009] Gains in knowledge about malaria prevention and care Tanzania [Borzekowski & Macha, 2009, see graph] South Africa Basic knowledge Blood Safety De-Stigmatization Coping with Illness Tanzania

Meet children where they are – developmental, cultural, geographical Some Lessons Learned Meet children where they are – developmental, cultural, geographical Balance between entertaining and educational Important role of teachers and caregivers / of quality child appropriate contents and messaging Recognizing limitations and strengths of different types of media platforms and leveraging synergies across platforms. Let the setting decide what type of media, activities, and distribution mechanisms are appropriate. Importance of developing partnerships with local institutions and experts coupled with international spaces for dialogue, knowledge-sharing and capacity-building Importance of integrating research (different forms) and ongoing monitoring and feedback mechanisms into the process

THANK YOU