In 2004, an international category was created for the contest which
took the competition global. As of February 2007, there are 511 schools
in 21 countries that participate in the program.
Panasonic provides an array of digital video equipment to several schools
across Canada. The program offers students an opportunity to unleash
their creativity by using video to tell a story. Under teacher
supervision, students research, write, act in, produce, direct, and edit a variety
of videos which bring to life subjects they learn in school or their
life experiences. Videos can range from a simple newscast to detailed
production on current social issues in several categories including news,
documentary, drama, and public service announcements (PSA).
Panasonic Canada’s steadfast commitment to the environment and issues
affecting our planet has prompted us to use the KWN program as a platform
to get students to think about their local environment. For the
past several years, the focus of the KWN program has been on the
environment, more specifically “My local environment – How can I make it
better?” Schools are asked to submit two videos one of which must have an
environmental theme. Students have produced videos on everything from
recycling and nature conservation to climate change and global warming.
Since 1991, over 8,000 students in Canada have learned that
producing videos requires hard work and cooperation among their peers. To
recognize their hard work and accomplishments, winning schools are invited
to attend the KWN New Vision Awards contest at the end of the school year.
Representatives from winning schools outside the province of Ontario are invited to a weekend of activities in Toronto to celebrate their accomplishments in videography and receive their honours at the prestigious KWN New Vision Awards Ceremony.
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