i193.photobucket.com - Lao youth will air their problems and experiences in a weekly talk show on Lao National Radio starting this Saturday, according to a press release from UNICEF. Open Hearts Open Airwaves will be broadcast for the first time at 8.30am on Saturday on FM 103.7 MHz, featuring talk show hosts DJ Ton and Sounita. Sounita, aged 18, says the 30- minute show will offer young audiences something different. “We will be providing information on child rights related issues to young people and any subjects that matter to them,” she said. The programme will initially be pre-recorded but the station hopes to switch to a live format in the future. Listeners will be encouraged to share their experiences and views by calling, emailing, or writing letters and text messages. Special listener groups will be set up in Vientiane and other provinces where the show is to be broadcast on delay. Listeners’ calls will be broadcast the following week. Lao National Radio News Editor, Mr Vanxay Tavin-gnan, is responsible for the youth radio project. He said the show would be focused on issues including life skills, reproductive health and the special needs of adolescents. “Open Hearts Open Airwaves is designed to promote child participation in resolving the issues that relate to them,” Mr Vanxay said. “That’s why it must be able to offer good advice to young people on how to manage their lives and also be an arena for discussion about youth concerns.” Support for the show has come from UNICEF, which brought international youth radio experts to provide training for production team. Open Hearts Open Airwaves is modelled on similar youth radio ventures in Nepal and Cambodia.