Biden Administration Funds Sesame Street Show in Iraq
The Biden administration has authorized $20 million in taxpayer dollars to create a Sesame Street show in Iraq to promote inclusion and understanding across ethnic, religious, and sectarian groups. The program aims to provide educational content for young children and training opportunities for Iraqi youth in audiovisual production and storytelling. USAID justified the partnership by suggesting that Iraqi youth are at risk of radicalization without exposure to such content.
Key Points
- Partnership between USAID and Sesame Workshop to create Ahlan Simsim Iraq
- Aims to prevent radicalization among Iraqi youth by providing positive content
- Focuses on social and emotional learning skills, identity appreciation, and diversity awareness
Pros
- Promotes inclusion, mutual respect, and understanding across different groups in Iraq
- Provides educational content for young children
- Offers training opportunities for Iraqi youth in media production and storytelling
Cons
- Controversy over the use of $20 million in taxpayer dollars for this initiative
- Criticism for potential waste or mismanagement of funds