On the road: Last post of the year
2024, a good one for me, a tough one for the planet... But happy to build up a more global version of journalism one post at a time.
Dear readers,
What a busy, exhausting year… So much has happened in these twelve months, including major elections and political turning points, from Russia to America, Senegal to Ghana…
If it was a very scary year for the world, with failure on the climate fight, it generated profound learning experiences for me, and interesting reporting, notably in Senegal, South Africa, in phases of important changes, in Marseille in France for our disastrous snap elections, then in London and Bristol again.
No recap of the year this time, but here are my two last podcast episodes of 2024, a few links and videos, before I wish you a great end-of-the-year season.
Podcast
International report
Gaza’s powerful war narratives make their way to the Oscars
As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues, a collection of films titled From Ground Zero, created by Gaza-based filmmakers, has earned a place at the Oscars.
The project, overseen by Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi, includes 22 short films spanning documentary, animation, and drama.
The films aim to share the voices of people living through the conflict in Gaza, offering a glimpse into their fears, dreams and hopes.
"The idea for From Ground Zero came immediately, in the second month of this ongoing war, to try to pick up films and stories from Gaza," Masharawi told me.
He explained that the goal was to give filmmakers in Gaza the chance to make their own films…
Listen from here: https://www.rfi.fr/en/podcasts/international-report/20241215-gaza-powerful-war-narratives-make-their-way-to-the-oscars
Or on Apple Podcasts from here.
Short insight into the Bristol Palestine Film Festival 2024:
My short video insight in the Bristol Palestine Film Festival 2024, filmed at Arnolfini, Bristol, ahead of the screening of the documentary film 'Where Olive Trees Weep', and the Q&A with activist Ashira Darwish, hosted by myself.
All about the festival here:
Last recording of the year, with ePOP, an RFI programme collecting short films from all over the planet, about climate change and disruption…
The winners of the 6th edition of the video competition Show What They Feel, organised by RFI Planète Radio in collaboration with the IRD as part of the ePOP - Small Participatory Waves project, were announced on Thursday, 12 December.
The award ceremony, hosted by Max Bale from RFI Planète Radio and Melissa Chemam from RFI's English editorial team, was broadcast live from RFI's main studio on the ePOP Network Facebook page and IRD's social media platforms.
The event was attended by RFI’s managers Marie-Christine Saragosse and Jean-Marc Four.
Video here:
And… my last African podcast episode of the year:
Young Nigerian entrepreneurs seek to reshape relationship with France
Issued on: 13/12/2024
During Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s visit to France in November, he brought a delegation of young leaders to strengthen ties and attract investment in Africa’s largest economy. RFI caught up with some of them.
Kolawole Osinowo, CEO of Baobab Plus in Nigeria – a French-Nigerian energy distribution company – highlighted the challenges of energy access in the country.
"A lot of people in Nigeria don't have access to electricity, so we're supporting the government by bridging the gap," Osinowo told RFI.
"There’s a connection in terms of technological and financial support that is key."
Osinowo said he hopes to shift Africa-Europe relations from being aid-driven to investment-focused, aiming to boost Nigeria’s economy and create jobs.
“This is essential so that people don’t have to migrate and cause different migration issues around the world,” he said.
Creative partnerships
Uchenna Pedro, founder of the lifestyle platform Bella Naija and named one of Forbes Africa's 50 Most Influential Women, emphasised France’s potential as a partner in Nigeria’s creative industries.
“French industries in my domains bring high value, and France’s belief in the arts makes it a great partnership,” said Pedro. Her platform already collaborates with French companies like L'Oréal in the beauty and fashion sectors.
Pedro is also a member of the French Africa Foundation’s young leaders group, which supports initiatives connecting France with African nations.
Singer-songwriter and activist Chioma Ogbonna, known as Cill, also praised France’s prioritisation of the arts and its thriving creative industry.
"Because of how the arts and the creative industry thrive here in France and how it is prioritised, it is an important destination for Africans and Nigerians especially," she said.
» For more, have a listen!
Thanks to all the subscribers who joined this newsletter this year, and to the faithful readers.
Thanks for caring for a global and more southern perspective on our world affairs…
I’ll be back next year with more news…
For now, have a wonderful time during the holiday seasons, however you celebrate, stay safe, and don’t hesitate to reach out.
Best wishes, bye,
melissa
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Melissa Chemam
Journalist, Audio Producer & Writer
RFI English, New Arab, Byline Times, i paper...
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/melissachemam
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MelissaChemam
The road ahead is getting tougher and tougher globally; 2025 may well be the last good year for everyone as war expands and the global economy crashes catastrophically, along with the largest growth in far-right popularity we have ever known. Basically, we are all fucked! Your journalism is essential in this future, So thank you for your passion and care. We will look back longingly at the good old days in 2024.