Search for Common Ground

Radio for Peacebuilding Africa was a program founded in 2003 that trained journalists in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and acting on commonalities.

Common Ground Productions helped create Burundi's independent radio studio, Studio Ijambo, in 1995, after fears that the Rwandan genocide of 1994 would spread to neighboring countries. A 2000 poll of listeners found that 82% of people in Burundi thought that Studio Ijambo "helped reconciliation a lot". The studio employs an ethically mixed staff of Hutus and Tutsis, who present an ethnically united front to an otherwise divided country.[14] Studio Ijambo has been credited with playing a key role in decentralizing the media in Burundi and building local capacity for news coverage.[14]

Next to the BBC, Search is the largest producer of radio soap operas in the world, and in countries like Sierra Leone—which recently emerged from a civil war—its programming is listened to by over 90% of the population that has access to a radio. The radio was the most important form of mass communication after the civil war in Sierra Leone because there were three functioning radio stations in the country.[15]

The radio studios in Sierra Leone and Liberia not only promote peace, but also HIV/AIDS prevention. TDS-Liberia has released several public service announcements, created billboards and handed out T‑shirts and condoms at events.[16] They also provide children and youth with platforms for expression, through programs such as Sisi Lorpu and Golden Kids News.

Programming for CG Productions include:

It was produced in the late 1990s as a 13‑part series on the conflicts and struggles facing the African continent. It specifically highlights issues in 16 countries. The series, co‑produced by Ubuntu TV and Film Productions/Media Peace Centre and the South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC), was broadcast by TV and radio in English, French and Portuguese. The series has been broadcast in 22 countries in 40 local dialects, as well as the three languages it was produced in.

In Jerusalem, Search for Common Ground and Ma'an Network produced a new reality television program called The President, designed to promote democratic values and political engagement among Palestinian youth. Aired in 2013, the first season of The President challenged young Palestinians to win votes and become the new, mock Palestinian "Youth President." Twenty-four contestants were filmed reacting to everything from a staged assassination attempt to an impromptu press conference. They debated a range of political and social issues regarding a future Palestinian state living side by side with Israel. Eight finalists became CEO for a day at major companies including Coca-Cola and Jibrini Dairy. The show's challenges expanded internationally when the four finalists became Palestinian Ambassadors to Russia, Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt. With a live audience in primetime, the show ended with the first ever televised Palestinian political debate between the two finalists moderated by a seasoned journalist. After, viewers picked up their mobiles and elected their new mock president via SMS. Approximately 170,000 SMS messages were calculated to "elect" the winner. Search's evaluations indicate that approximately 1 million Palestinian households watched the first season. Season 2 generated an even larger following.[17]

In Macedonia, a joint effort between the producers of Sesame Street[18] and CG Productions produced a children's show called Nashe Maalo (translation: Our Neighborhood). The show aired in the early 2000s, and it promoted mutual tolerance and respect between the different ethnic and religious groups in Macedonia.[19]

Pahunch is a reality show by Search for Common Ground Nepal, aired from September to December 2016.[20] The goal of the show is to increase mutual trust between the Nepali police and local communities. The reality show features eight contestants from all walks of life who, with the mentorship of Nepali police officers, solve fictional cases of homicide, burglary, domestic violence, human trafficking, and more, raising awareness of the daily challenges faced by law enforcement. Season 2 of Pahunch is currently in production.

Madam President is a 13-episode drama, which started airing across the Middle East and North Africa in November 2015.[21] It is now available on Fcebook and Amazon Video. It tells the story of Noura Sa'ad, a politician from the fictional country of Jabalein, played by Lebanese star Carmen Lebbos. The drama showcases examples of female leadership and encourages political participation by women and youth.

Madam Prime Minister (Singha Durbar, "The Lion's Palace", in Nepali) is a 13-episode drama show which debuted in November, 2015.[22] The show tells the story of Aasha Singh, the fictional first female Prime Minister of Nepal, played by Nepali star Gauri Malla. Over the course of 13 episodes, Madam Prime Minister showcased examples of female leadership, positive gender roles, and democratic values. The show was funded by USAID and created by Search For Common Ground–Nepal, along with production partner Mila Productions.

An ongoing project of CG Productions is The Team (L'Equipe). Using the popularity of football (called soccer in America), the show uses sports as a metaphor to unification while addressing local, deep-rooted conflict. The show follows specific characters on a football team who must learn to work together to overcome their differences and win the game. The show is specifically tailored to the country in which it airs.[23] Each country has different issues it faces, and the scripts represent these differences. The cast, writers and production crews are, whenever possible, all indigenous to the country. In the DRC, The Team deals specifically with women's rights.

In many countries in Africa, Search has introduced mobile cinema. These programs bring CG Production works into rural villages and expose more people to topics and discussion. In the DRC, Search has introduced mobile cinema dealing specifically with women's rights. Women in the DRC have been the victims of a brutal sexual assault war that has increased in intensity over the last few years.

According to UN estimates, close to "3,500 females were raped by soldiers, militiamen, and civilians during the first six months" of 2009, compared to 4,800 rapes for the whole of 2008. Search used Mobile Cinema in places like Kenya as a tool to broadcast The Team to a large audience who would otherwise not be exposed to it.[24]