ttn Script
Episode: 44
Date On-Air: 30th November 2004
Introduction
Hi I'm Emily Barker and welcome to the final ttn for this year.
We have a massive show ahead...
Scotty and Em are out and about. So guys, what's coming up?
Emma: Well Emily we've got a huge show coming up today. We head off to meet some
kids at a really media smart school and also if you've got some concerns about coming
back to school after the holidays, don't worry, we've got some great tips for you.
Scotty, can you believe the year is almost over?
Scott: I can't Em. It’s been a fantastic year; its gone so fast but we've had an absolute
ball and just to prove it, we've got a couple of special segments on this week's show,
including a special behind the scenes look at some of the TTN out takes, so stay with
us.
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World Debt
First, many poor countries face huge amounts of debt.
Well this week, a global banking group wiped eighty percent of Iraq's foreign debt, including a
billion dollars owed to Australia.
So Emma, Scott and I teamed up to find out how poor countries manage to get ahead.
Reporter: Some of the world's poorest countries owe so much money they've got no
chance of ever paying it back.
A huge chunk of what most countries owe, is "foreign debt" - money owed to another country.
Somalia owes 33 billion dollars in foreign debt, Russia, 197 billion. Australia owes around
400 billion in foreign debt. Iraq owes much the same - about 380 billion dollars.
But Australia is a rich country with the ability to meet repayments.
Despite being rich in oil - Iraq doesn't make enough to pay back its huge debt.
One of the reasons for Iraq's massive debt is that war is expensive.
In Iraq, the Government not only needs to rebuild its own cities, but pay for damage to others.
For example, the UN demanded Iraq pay 200 billion dollars to repair Kuwait after the 1991
Gulf War.
That's still mostly unpaid.
Reporter: So who is owed all this money? Well, essentially, other countries. Many
countries come together and make up international finance groups, and together they
hand out big money. So who are these groups?
Well Emma there's three main global lending groups. Australia is a member of all three.
There's the Paris Club - which has just agreed to strike out 80 percent of Iraq's debt.
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Episode: 44
Date On-Air: 30th November 2004
The International Monetary Fund or IMF.
And the World Bank, which is the biggest of the three.
It started in 1944 to help rebuild Europe and Japan after World War II. 184 countries
contribute money to it.
This year alone, it's lent more than 20 billion dollars.
But the groups aren't like normal banks where you can withdraw and deposit as you like.
They're international development organisations and how their money is spent is determined
by the member countries.
Like normal loans these loans still have to be paid back, but only with a small amount of
interest.
Some really poor countries don't pay interest at all.
Their loans are for things like:
*building schools, roads, railways and ports
*training teachers
*suppyling safe drinking water
*and health care
But if it's so hard for poor countries to pay what they owe, why can't the wealthy countries just
wipe out everyone's debt?
Reporter: Good question, Emily. Some pretty famous people have been trying to
make that happen for some time.
Bono, the lead singer of U2, has led a campaign to erase third world debt.
He argues that 41 of the world's poorest nations have to pay 200 billion dollars in debt and
much of that money has been stolen by dictators while western countries did little to stop
them.
Also, that paying these debts locks poor nations in a cycle of poverty.
The main reason for this is the massive interest.
For example, Cameroon in Africa owes nearly 11 billion dollars.
Even if they're given an interest rate of only 5%, they're still paying 550 million dollars a year
in interest alone.
In 1996, several international lenders introduced the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
Initiative. It provided 54 billion dollars of debt relief to poor countries.
In return, they promised to direct more resources into improving health and social welfare,
and building a stronger economy.
Of course erasing the debts can also set a bad example to the poor nations. If they're not
made responsible for their debts, they may just continue to borrow without repaying anything.
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Date On-Air: 30th November 2004
Reporter: It's a sensitive subject. Wealthy countries don't want to just forget about all the
money owed to them, but they also have a moral obligation to the well-being of the world.
What do you think?
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Youth Speak
Question: "Should wealthy countries wipe the debts owed to them by poor countries?"
Various children:
"Yes, I think they should be wiped so they can grow crops and give their families
food."
"We need people in our world and we don't want people suffering from food, health
and drink loss."
"I think it shouldn't be wiped because if we keep on giving them money, they'll keep on
expecting money from us so we should teach them how to use their money wisely."
"I think it shouldn't be wiped but we should make factories for them so they can earn
the money."
“But instead of them paying it back in money, they should pay it back in things that
they have a lot of, like oils and minerals and materials."
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School Transition
One of the most important milestones in life is the big step to the next stage of your
education….going to high school, middle school or college.
This will cause lots of things to change. Sometimes change can feel scary, but TTN reporter
Jane Reilly has some great advice to make this one of life's best experiences.
At first, high school can "seem" daunting. There are so many classrooms, corridors "and"
people you don't know.
Getting used to a different routine can be a challenge.
Talent: I'll show you where all the toilets are so you know where to go on your first
week. We have three different sets of toilets, one on every level.
Everything seems to be bigger than your last school and that can make you feel a bit lost, for
a little while.
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Date On-Air: 30th November 2004
Talent: It can be pretty scary at the beginning and you have to remember that everyone
is new just like you and say hi to as many people as you can. That’s the way you'll
make friends…friends are really important in high school.
Talent: The first week can be kind of hard but then you get used to the routine and it's
really good.
But remember, everyone wants to make you very welcome.
Most schools have a series of transition days. A peer group leader shows you around,
explaining where everything is, and they will be there to help in the first few weeks.
Talent: Are you guys excited?
Talent: Oh kind of, yeah. It won't be good at first.
The teachers are there to help too.
Talent: The teachers are really understanding. You can just ask them if you have any
problems and they will help you and everyone is really supportive, everyone's in the
same boat. People just help each other.
Teacher: We've got a very close home group system where we have a teacher that is
assigned obviously to the group of students and they work closely with their class so
that's really a good point of call for the students, but also the parents if they're feeling
anxious.
Talent: Yes, there is a lot to take in. High school can be noisy, finding where the
canteen is, the computer, most importantly the toilet, but everyone seems to be really
friendly and by the time these students come back next year I know they will feel really
confident and I wish them all the best. Good Luck.
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Yeronga Media Kids
A year seven class decided that making TV news stories promoting their school is the best
way to encourage young students to stay.
They sent a letter to TTN asking for help, so we went to see how the students were
progressing.
Welcome to the television studio in class.
These Yeronga State School students have put away the maths and science books and
they're teaching themselves how to make a news story.
Talent: Welcome back to YSS News.
The topic is an important one for them.
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Date On-Air: 30th November 2004
Teacher: At a lot of state schools we find kids go to private schools in year 5 and we're
just saying that we've got a lot of opportunities and a lot of great activities happening
and a lot of the kids in the lower classes don't know that.
Activities like an annual trip to Sydney and Canberra.
Student: We're doing five subjects; we're doing buddies, polo shirts, parliament
house, graduation night and Canberra trip.
There are words and pictures that have to be kept in mind.
Student: We're using our storyboard and what's on that is all our shots and what we're
going to do in those shots.
Once the storyboard's done and the scripts are written, then comes the presenting.
Reporter: Be sort of shoulder to shoulder because when you're on camera, that gap
gets really big.
Students: We will be your presenters for this afternoon.
The students filming techniques have to be right as well, so the production looks as
professional as possible.
Reporter: And you don't want too much headroom so just frame it about here.
Student: Hello, today we will be telling you a bit about year 7.
Talent: We have a great show lined up for you today including stories about our
Sydney and Canberra tour and our year 7 monitorial jobs.
Then the stories have to be edited into a finished product.
As the budding journalists found out, making TV is no walk in the park.
Various Students:
"One person would say oh lets do this and then the other people would say no lets do
this and couldn't decide on it."
“With our credits we had quite a bit of a problem for a while to put music and to make
our credits long enough."
"Well our camera person, Lilly, went home sick and so we had to get our reserve
camera person."
The final stories will be shown to the year 4 students and parents.
So promotional posters have to be made, invitations sent out, and video equipment ordered.
It's a major production, but hopefully it'll be worth it.
"If everyone leaves in year 5 there'll be no year 6 and 7."
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Date On-Air: 30th November 2004
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Polar Cubs
Australia has welcomed its newest animal arrivals... two polar bear cubs, orphaned when their
mother was killed in northern Canada.
Meet 10-month old twin brothers Star and Coeur - that's a French word meaning 'cry of the
heart.'
They've just completed a huge journey.
The cubs departed Quebec in Canada, stopped over in Europe, then finally arrived in
Australia...48 hours later.
To make it easier, these specially designed clear crates allowed the brothers to see each
other and not get too lonely.
And so far, so good.
Talent: They're really, really relaxed. They’re eating well; the climate hasn't worried
them at all.
Star and Coeur have to stay in a quarantined area for a couple of weeks yet to make sure
they haven't brought in any diseases.
Talent: We may have to disinfect everything. Its quite a bit of work but its very
important so have we have to comply with those rules.
There are only about 22 thousand polar bears left in the wild and less than 50 in captivity, so
these youngsters will be part of a breeding program when they're adults.
Talent: Genetically these animals will be quite important; their genes are not found in
the captive population at this point in time.
100 kilograms now, they'll weigh 700 kilograms as adults... and they love their food.
Talent: They eat meat, fruit and fish, but yes they love watermelon and yes they love
peanut butter sandwiches like the big guys.
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Showbiz Special
Think school exams are tough enough now- try balancing them with a full-time career.
Now 17, Nikki Webster's just sat her final high school exams - and brought out a "best of" CD.
So how does she do it?
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Date On-Air: 30th November 2004
Well, a performing arts school with teachers who understand she's got a busy career and
some good planning, to make sure Nikki can actually get to class!
Talent: I tried to do all my performances in school holidays and um and then back to school
like every normal school kid, five days a week.
Now devoted to full-time performing and maybe some acting, Nikki says it's tough, but it's
possible.
Talent: It was something I needed to do for myself, stay at school. Everyone was saying give
up you don't need it and it was something I said ‘no’ I really want to complete it, so I knew I
had something to fall back on.
Now here's another group starting stage-life young: It's the annual "Schools Spectacular" - a
one-hundred-and-twenty year tradition, where young singers, dancers and musicians from
public schools hit Sydney all hoping for some fun and maybe a big break.
Talent: You never know who's in such a big audience. There are so many seats in this room
filled with great people who might take a chance if they like you.
And it wouldn't be a variety show without variety!
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Kids Tri & Tryathlon
And here's some more people you will definitely admire... and they're just like you.
They're ordinary kids taking on the challenge of completing a Superkidz Triathlon.
Reporter: Who's doing a triathlon for the first time?.. hands up.. Wowee!"
Racing a triathlon may sound daunting, but for these 500 kids, it's all about having a go.
Talent: I feel actually scared because I'm not a really good biker, runner or cyclist, but
I'll give it a try.
This is the nation's biggest triathlon festival, at Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
And the Superkidz Triathlon is one of the feature events.
Distances start at a 100 metre swim, 3km cycle and a 500 metre run.
Talent: It's all about getting out there and the parents are encouraging them and it's
just fabulous to see them all involved at such a young age.
The youngest competitors are just 7. Most surprise themselves with how well they do.
Various Talent:
"I reckon I went pretty good."
"Um yeah pretty tiring but this is great fun.”
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Date On-Air: 30th November 2004
Reporter: Did you do much training for it?
“No none, I only knew I was coming here two days ago.”
"I swim and I go for a few bike rides with my Dad."
"I haven't been training very much, like three days a week"
Three days a week is a pretty good guide to stay fit.
But the experts say you should trust your own instincts.
Talent: Kids seem to find their own way as far as sport is concerned. If they start
doing too much they start disliking what they're doing so I'm sure they're a really good
gauge of themselves, if they're still having fun and still enjoying it, then keep going.
The benefits of exercise are obvious here.
Various Talent:
"I think it's great that we all get to have a go at it and just a great experience."
"I just do it cause I love doing triathlons."
“Cause it's fun and it gets you fit."
"Oh I just like doing exercise."
Reckon you can handle a triathlon?
Then try the Weetbix kids TRY-athlon National Series.
It's on next year in Sydney on February 13, Melbourne February 20, Canberra February 27,
Perth March 20 and Brisbane on April 10.
Hobart and Adelaide aren't officially part of the Series but there'll still be kids tri's there on
th
March 6 for Hobart, and the 13 for Adelaide.
So what are you waiting for? Get training!
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Scott & Emma’s Favourite Stories
Scott: There certainly has been some great moments this year, Em. I reckon probably
one of the highlights for me was driving out to Charleville and learning how to shear
from some of the kids out there. And also interviewing Harry Kewell; he was a really
nice bloke and that was a major highlight. What about you?
Emma: Well I've had heaps of highlights this year, but one of the favourites would be
probably the buzz of election night in the national tally room, and I think catching up
with the Lord of the Rings guys. But one of the coolest things from 2004 is catching
up with all of our viewers, Scott.
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Date On-Air: 30th November 2004
Scott: Definitely, and we want to meet a lot more of you next year. What about you,
Emily?"
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Emily’s Favourite Stories
Well I'd have to say Idol was an absolute buzz!
Being a part of the behind the scenes action was pretty crazy, but it was awesome to check
out how they get such a huge event together!
Want more about the BIG events?
Education or entertainment ... politics or poverty... ttn will bring you the latest.
Will space travel be closer - and faster?
Sporting winners in 2005: on the field, on the water, in your school. We'll let you know.
What do YOU think about issues? You'll see that on ttn too.
From the tip of Mt Everest to the bottom of the world, wherever news happens, ttn will explain
why.
News you can use, news that affects you, news on your favourite TV, movie or music star...
ttn will let you know first.
Talent: Hi, this is Maroon 5, and we're having a wonderful time in Australia, and if you
want to find out what's happening to us, and people like us, stay tuned to ttn in 2005.
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