Firdaus Kharas thanks Peabody Board for the life of an "unknown person"

Firdaus Kharas, Director and Producer of The Three Amigos, a series of 20 world-class animated Public Service Announcements (PSAs) designed to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS throughout the world, thanked the Board of Directors of the Peabody Award on behalf of a person ?“unknown and unseen?”.

Speaking to the 600 guests assembled at the awards ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City on June 4, Mr. Kharas said, ?“I hope the Peabody shines a spotlight on this campaign to stop the spread of this dreadful disease. That spotlight might spur another broadcaster to donate airtime and play the spots. A young couple might see the spot put there by the Peabody and instead of engaging in risky behavior, will act responsibly.?” Mr. Kharas concluded, ?“On behalf of that person, I thank you for her life.?”

The citation from the Peabody Board of Directors released at the awards ceremony reads: ?“For its deceptively lighthearted and extremely effective attack on a deadly world epidemic, a Peabody goes to The Three Amigos HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme.?”

Ottawa, Canada-based Director and Producer of The Three Amigos, Firdaus Kharas said: ?“I consider the Peabody Award to be the highest recognition in television. I am humbled and delighted to accept the Peabody, known for recognizing excellence and innovation.?”

Later in the evening, Mr. Kharas was one of four Peabody winners invited to speak to the Peabody winners and invited guests at a reception at the Museum of Radio and Television in New York. During the speech, Mr. Kharas made an impassioned plea to the audience to use their talent in mass communications to build bridges. Mr. Kharas said he rejects the notion of a ?“clash of civilizations?” and used the example of his work to point out that human beings have more in common, despite culture, than differences.

The Three Amigos is a series of purposely varied animated spots that use humor to counter the spread of HIV/AIDS. The series was adapted under Mr. Kharas?’ supervision into 41 languages, thereby enabling a potential reach of 80% of the world?’s population in their own language.

The Three Amigos has been used intensively in a wide variety of countries, ranging from liberal democracies to conservative theocracies, from countries in southern Africa where AIDS is rampant, to countries on the threshold of a possible AIDS crisis in Asia and Eastern Europe. Broadcasters have donated millions of dollars worth of free air time to air the series, in some cases up to 20 times a day. Thousands of health clinics, hospitals, non-governmental organizations and universities across the world currently use the series.

The series has received 30 international awards and hundreds of articles in many languages have been written on its creation and impact. Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu is the principal supporter, who has called the series in an open letter ?“a powerful communicating tool?” and has written "in creating the The Three Amigos PSAs (you) have made an outstanding contribution to the campaign against HIV infection in providing material that can be easily understood by most people irrespective of language or culture". Hundreds of testimonials from around the world have been received from every walk of life, from powerful government officials to AIDS educators to ordinary people whose behavior has been influenced by the series.

The George Foster Peabody Awards were first awarded in 1941 for radio programs broadcast in 1940. The awards recognize distinguished achievement and meritorious service by radio and television networks, stations, producing organizations, cable television organizations and individuals. They perpetuate the memory of the banker-philanthropist whose name they bear. The awards program is administered by the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. Selection is made by the Peabody Board following review by special screening committees of faculty, students and staff. Further information about the Peabody Awards can be obtained at http://www.peabody.uga.edu/about/