KID WITNESS NEWS GLOBAL SUMMIT 2023 CONCLUDES WITH GREAT SUCCESS, EMPOWERING YOUNG STORYTELLERS WORLDWIDE

Students and representatives of SCIA and PSIS schools with Panasonic Management Staff

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The highly anticipated Kid Witness News (KWN) Global Summit 2023, organized by Panasonic Corporation, concluded recently with a resounding success. The summit was conducted from Tokyo, Japan, allowing a total of approximately 150 students from 8 schools in 9 countries around the globe to join online. Students from Pannasastra International School (PSIS) and Singapore Cambodia International Academy (SCIA) joined the competition for the very first-time representing Cambodia this year.

Students of SCIA and PSIS schools joining Global Summit for the first-time representing Cambodia

KWN is part of Panasonic’s next-generation development support activity, in which Panasonic lends professional video equipment to support filmmaking by school children. Participants from all 9 countries showcased their creativity and vision through a diverse range of films, highlighting compelling stories and critical issues relating to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that affect our communities and the world.

This year, Cambodian students made their films using Panasonic Lumix SII cameras, which allowed them to achieve the highest possible quality for their projects. Beyond providing equipment, Panasonic also gave students brief training sessions to acquaint them with the fundamentals of filmmaking, such as camera operation, scripting, and lighting.

Yasunobu Matsumoto, the Country Head of Panasonic Cambodia, who spoke during the pre-summit awards, expressed his deep appreciation for the active participation of Cambodian students. "I would like to express my deepest appreciation to students from Singapore Cambodia International Academy and Pannasastra International School for your active participation and valuable contributions to this year's summit," said Matsumoto. "Through your hard work and creative expressions, you have empowered us all to think critically about various global issues, sparking conversations and igniting change."

The summit served as more than just a platform for young filmmakers to demonstrate their creative prowess. It also encouraged them to engage with critical issues affecting their communities and the world at large. Notably, all films submitted to the KWN competition this year had themes aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The focus on SDGs allowed students to deepen their understanding of important global issues while exercising their creativity in filmmaking.

 A student representative from Pannasastra International School delivered the vote of thanks

The student representative from Cambodia shared their gratitude towards Panasonic for the incredible opportunity provided to them. "We are extremely thankful to Panasonic for organizing such a large-scale competition, which has allowed young students from Cambodia to showcase our storytelling skills and our passion for film. It's a big step for us to be involved in conversations about pressing global issues," said the representative.

The KWN Global Summit 2023 signifies Panasonic's commitment to nurturing the creative aspirations of young filmmakers worldwide. The summit's success has paved the way for future iterations, with organizers already preparing for the next edition. The event aims to continue promoting the invaluable art of visual storytelling and empowering more young storytellers to make a difference in the world.

KWN Global Summit 2023 Closing Remarks

About Kid Witness News Global: Kid Witness News Global is a global program organized by Panasonic Corporation, dedicated to empowering young storytellers and promoting media literacy. Through workshops, film screenings, and international events, Kid Witness News Global provides a platform for young filmmakers to showcase their creativity, foster global connections, and make a positive impact through their storytelling abilities. For more information, please visit: KWN Global Summit 2023 - Kid Witness News - Corporate Citizenship Activities - Sustainability - Panasonic Holdings

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Nileshika Wijenaike
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