NEW YORK, March 1, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Two months after the tsunami in South Asia claimed over 200,000 lives, students from around the United States will engage in an interactive multimedia program with a group of their peers in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This is the first program to connect youth in the affected area with youth in the United States who are working to raise funds and promote sustained involvement in the region. On Friday, March 4, 2005 (9:30 - 11 am EST) 250 student leaders representing schools from throughout the New York City area will convene at Asia Society. Over five thousand students from schools throughout the U.S. will also view the exchange through videoconferencing and through a simultaneous web cast (see details for both at http://www.askasia.org/tsunami). The U.S. participants are engaged in educational programs at their schools designed to better understand the affected region, and many have already supported the rebuilding process through charitable initiatives.
The conference comes at a critical "teachable moment" for American youth, as U.S. students' current knowledge of other world regions, languages and cultures is inadequate. According to the National Commission on Asia in the Schools, "young Americans are dangerously uninformed about international matters, especially Asia, home to more than 60 percent of the world's population." This initiative, an exciting partnership between three international non-profit organizations-the Global Nomads Group, Asia Society, and Quarters From Kids-aims to give students a better understanding of the long-term consequences of the tsunami as well as standards-based curriculum materials on the geography, languages, economies, and cultures of Sri Lanka and other affected areas. Prior to the event, teachers will receive lesson plans and curriculum materials to use in the classroom. These materials will be posted on Asia Society's AskAsia.org website.
Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, Chairman of the Asia Society said, "Press attention and foreign aid is now receding just as the waters of the Indian Ocean have receded. But the damage remains and there is an enormous amount of work to do. Americans young and old have already given invaluable support, but programs that engage young citizens can help sustain interest in the long-term rebuilding effort and build vital global awareness."
American students will raise funds and participate in appropriate activities to assist in reconstruction efforts. Student action kits will be distributed to stimulate ongoing learning in school and community service projects. As part of its PULSE exchange series in which American students discuss and debate important international issues, Global Nomads will provide ongoing videoconferences so that participating students in the U.S. can maintain contact, share experiences, and collaborate to help with reconstruction efforts. "Now that the tsunami has all but disappeared from the headlines, we feel it's important that young people be reminded that there is still a lot to be done and that their help can make a big difference," says Mark von Sponeck, Executive Director of Global Nomads Group.
"Youth across the country who are accessing QuartersFromKids.org are learning that holding bake sales, forgoing allowances, and collecting money door-to-door can, collectively, make a real difference in the tsunami relief and redevelopment effort," said Jon Schnur, CEO of New Leaders From New Schools, a Quarters From Kids Coalition partner. "Now, thanks to the Asia Society and the Global Nomads Group, the unifying power of the web will be used again, this time to link American and Sri Lankan youth."
Schools beyond the New York City audience will be able to submit questions to the Sri Lankan students prior to the event by sending them to Global Nomads Group at info@gng.org.
Program logistics and further details can be found at: http://www.askasia.org/tsunami.
About Asia Society
Asia Society is America's leading institution dedicated to fostering understanding of Asia and communication between Americans and the peoples of Asia and the Pacific. A nonprofit, nonpartisan educational institution, the Asia Society presents a wide range of programs including major art exhibitions, performances, media programs, international conferences and lectures, and initiatives to improve elementary and secondary education about Asia. The Asia Society is headquartered in New York City, with regional centers in Washington, D.C., Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Manila, Shanghai, and Melbourne, Australia. For more information, contact the Asia Society, 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021. 212.288.6400. (www.asiasociety.org)
About Global Nomads Group
Global Nomads Group is an international educational organization dedicated to fostering cross-cultural dialogue and understanding among youth. Using videoconferencing and satellite communications technology, GNG moderates conferences between K-12 classes in different countries, organizes virtual lectures, and conducts remote broadcasts from the world's historical and cultural sites. GNG programs are sponsored in part by Polycom(r), Inc. (NASDAQ:PLCM). (http://www.gng.org)
About Quarters From Kids
A nationwide, grassroots effort to engage young Americans, and adults who work with them, in a collective response to the tsunami disaster in Asia. (http://www.quartersfromkids.org/)