Filmmaker Ina Hume focuses on e-Parliament (PRESS RELEASE)

For immediate release

20/06/08 Film-maker Ina Hume focuses on the e-Parliament

The e-Parliament is delighted to announce that film-maker Ina Hume has been contracted to make short films of the Energy Access for the Poor hearings.

Ina Hume is an established film-maker who has previously done work for UNICEF and a number of UK-based charities.

She will be producing short films of the nine different hearings which will be posted on our website.

They will also serve to provide some continuity between the different hearings as MPs will be able to see the key items of the debate in other parts of the world.

Before travelling to the first hearing in Kenya which took place earlier this month, Ina said, “I am really looking forward to recording the forthcoming hearings on Climate Change and Energy Access for the Poor for the eParliament.

“It is a great opportunity for legislators to meet and share ideas on mitigating the impacts of climate change in their communities.

“This is an exciting project, and I hope I am able to capture some of the commitment of those involved in the discussions and also the experiences of everyday people in the countries where the hearings are to be held.”

In Kenya, she managed to record 12 tapes at the hearing alone but also managed to take some supporting footage of the energy problem in Kenya – illegal electricity hook-ups, people selling coal for cookers and someone who has started making money from solar panels.

“It was great,” she said, “I cannot believe it was only a week.”

Ina’s previous work includes the documentation of UNICEF’S Back to School campaign in Uganda and a multimedia exhibition on the festivals and celebrations of indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh.

“Ina has great experience producing the sort of films that we’re looking for,” said Jesper Grolin, executive director of the e-Parliament, “She’s also a great person to have around.

“The films will undoubtedly make more people aware of the energy access issues – both legislators and citizens – and they will also serve to raise the profile of the e-Parliament worldwide.”

ENDS

For more information please contact Jasper Bouverie at jasper.bouverie@e-parl.net or on +44-1233-812037

Kibera Lives, Kenya

Mother and Child, Kibera
Originally uploaded by Ina's Pics

I also visited Kibera, which is the second largest slum in Africa after Soweto in S Africa. I went to see some of the work of the Kibera Community Youth Programme, who won an Award in 2006 for a Solar project. As well as finding a very interesting and committed group of people, I also discovered a vibrant and welcoming community in the slum.

It is hard to imagine that this place had been the scene of much violence in the post election troubles in Kenya at the start of the year.

I did a very fast and furious training session with some of the young volunteers of the Kibera Community Youth Programme, and introduced them to digital cameras and a minidisc. They then went out and spent a few hours documenting some things they saw around Kibera.

You can see their Photostory on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf-5ITZydvg

It is a bit rough, and I need to redo, to sort out the photo quality. I will also post their pics on Flickr.

For more information on the Kibera Community Youth Programme visit:
http://www.kcyp.kabissa.org/

e-Parliament Hearing on Energy Access for the Poor held at Samburu Game Lodge, Kenya

Samburu Girls beaded necklaces, Kenya
Originally uploaded by Ina's Pics

I have just returned from the most wonderful assignment to Samburu with the e-Parliament.

Read the press release at: http://www.e-parl.net/eparlimages/general/pdf/080608a%20Samburufinalpress.pdf

I was filming the hearings, and interviewing MPs from East Africa on their thoughts on the hearing as well as issues related to climate change and energy.

I was really impressed by the MPs and their commitment, as well as inspired by the process, which will hopefully lead to action by the MPs in their Parliaments and the East African Legislative Assembly.

We stayed at the Samburu Game Lodge, just north of the Equator. We saw plenty of animals too.

You can see some of the photographs on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35387190@N00/collections/72157605606402752/

I will be covering these hearings for the e-Parliament. The next one is in Ghana in September 2008. So I have to brush up on my French.