In celebration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October), UNESCO Beijing Office wants to continue its engagement in the fight against poverty among young migrants in China. Fighting poverty is one of the priorities established by the United Nations in its Millennium Development Goals. In China such an issue deserves special attention and action.

To this end, within the framework of its project “Together with Migrants”, UNESCO Beijing Office and the Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, invite Chinese Filmmakers engaged in the issue of Migration in China to present their movies related to the challenges faced by migrant workers in their daily life, in order to raise public awareness of this delicate social and economic issue.

The second screening of this successful series, which started in July 2004 will take place on 11 October 2004. It will show the international award-winning documentary Railroad of Hope by renowned Chinese film director Ning Ying, who will kindly join in person to take part in the debate after the screening.

Ning Ying is internationally heralded as one of the most prominent film director in China today, pioneering the new urban generation of Chinese cinema emerged over the last decade. Her work has won recognition from international film festivals. Her best known feature films include: For Fun (1992), On the Beat (1995) and I Love Beijing (2001). Also known as Beijing Trilogy. Her recent film Railroad of Hope received one of the top international awards, the Grand Prix du Cinema du Reel in Paris.

The aim of the “Together with Migrants” project is to reduce poverty among young migrant workers in China. The project started in 2002 and will continue through 2005. The project is currently implemented in eight pilot sites throughout China. Thus far, 20,000 female migrants have benefited from its activities, which include reproductive health promotion, legal and social protection, basic and life skill training, and job seeking support.

Railroad of Hope (xi wang zhi lu), 52 min, 2001 - Documentary

Every year during August and September several thousands of agricultural workers leave Sichuan by train for a long journey of more than 3000 Km, lasting three days and two nights, towards China’s far-west: Xinjiang Autonomous Region, where endless cotton fields are awaiting for the harvest.  For most of them it’s the first time away from the native villages, as well as the first time on a train. Probably for the first time ever, we can listen to Chinese peasants from poor interior regions speaking openly and sincerely about their lives.

Performance Details:

Date: 11 October 2004, 7.00 pm    

Venue: Cherry Lane Movie

Address: East of the 21st Century Theater, An Jia Lou Street (off Liang Ma Qiao Road)

Free entrance

For more information, please contact:

Genevieve Domenach-Chich, g.domenach-chich@unesco.org, 65327684, ext. 158 or 137

(China.org.cn October 9, 2004)