MUMBAI: Australia Network is set to open its broadcasting schedule for the year 2007 with a new Kids Week season focusing on children and families.

Slated to run from 13 January to 21 January, the season will look at issues affecting mothers and fathers, sons and daughters as they experience tragedy, face great adversity and tackle and overcome some of lifes biggest, most heartbreaking challenges.

An official statement issued says that the schedule of dramas and documentaries about kids (not necessarily programmes for kids) has been described by Australia Network as mirroring the daily life of families across the globe.

Among the season's highlights is Maternity Unit, a documentary about the maternity unit at Sydney's Canterbury Hospital, where 80 per cent of the mothers were born outside Australia. The program looks at cultural diversity and explores how families from different cultures welcome new life to the world.

Born With Two Mothers is a look at two childless couples one black, one white - anxiously awaiting the outcome of their latest efforts to conceive using IVF. Only one couple will succeed but even before the baby is born, serious concerns surface among the medical staff regarding the transfer of the embryos. When a black baby is born to the white mother the medical staffs worst fears are realised. The program follows both couples as they lay claim to the same child.

Closing off the Kids Week season From Russia With Love looks at what happens when two Western couples adopt Russian orphans.

Australia Network chief executive Ian Carroll says, "We've decided to start our 2007 schedule with Kids Week because children and families are a subject of universal interest for all our viewers.

"Our week-long exploration of the family brings the best programmes on this subject to Australia Network viewers across Asia, India and the Pacific, taking them on a journey from despair to joy through every emotion in-between."