ASIA Young video journalists break language, cultural barriers

CHIANG MAI, Thailand (UCAN) – A group of young video journalists (VJs) from different countries overcame cultural hurdles in chronicling the recently concluded SIGNIS World Congress. “We learned a lot from people from different countries. This has been an incredible experience for the 10 of us,” said Rochelle Kimberly D’Souza from India.

The 10 aged between 18 and 22 from India, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand took part in SIGNIS’ first International Youth Exchange Program held during the Oct. 17-21 congress. SIGNIS is the worldwide Catholic association for professionals and academics in audiovisuals, broadcasting and new media. Its gathering in Chiang Mai, Thailand, focused on the theme, “Media for a Culture of Peace — Children’s Rights, Tomorrow’s Promise.” D’Souza recalled the challenge her group experienced in covering the congress’ proceedings. “We were running around the convention centre and had little sleep at night as we were editing videos,” she said. “It was surely tiring … but being with friends from different countries, different cultures and different thinking gave us a broader outlook on life.” “It wasn’t easy, at times it was very frustrating, but I think the main thing is that it has been most educational.”