TORONTO, April 6, 2004 -- Severn Cullis-Suzuki will challenge high school students, youth activists and teachers to keep environmental education alive in the classroom during a day-long series of events organized by York University’s Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES) tomorrow, Wednesday, April 7.
The day, which is dubbed Change Your World: A Celebration of Youth Involvement in Environmental and Social Action, will bring together more than 500 students from 33 high schools from across southern Ontario for presentations, discussions and workshops. Students and community organizations will also set up informative displays exhibiting their work in environmental and sustainable action.
“The overwhelming response from students, youth leaders and educators to this event demonstrates that environmental education remains a relevant and vital component of citizenship,” said FES Dean David Morley. “York’s Faculty of Environmental Studies is a leading force in bringing environmental education and sustainability issues to the forefront of the public agenda.”
Workshops include:
· Not Just Another Day Job: Careers in Environmental and Social Action – Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University
· How to Run Your Own Youth Activist Conference! – hungry4change
· Sustainable Transportation and You – Green Communities Association
· “How to Promote, Support and Celebrate Youth Environmental and Social Action” – TakingITGlobal
· Income Insecurity, Food Banks and Public Involvement – Daily Bread Food Bank
· 20/20, The Way to Clean Air Program – The Clean Air Partnership
An accomplished television host and presenter, Cullis-Suzuki is the 23-year-old daughter of environmentalist David Suzuki. She recently hosted Suzuki's NatureQuest, a children's television series that aired on the Discovery Channel. She has also written numerous articles on environmental issues for magazines and newspapers and is also the author of Tell the World (Doubleday, 1993).
Cullis-Suzuki ‘s talk will take place 9 to 10:45 a.m. in York University’s Curtis Lecture Hall I. The day will also culminate in an evening presentation by Cullis-Suzuki on educators as role models in facilitating youth engagement in adopting environmental and sustainable change, 7 p.m. in York’s Lumbers Building, Room 306.
York University is located at 4700 Keele Street. For a complete itinerary and programming information, visit: www.yorku.ca/fes/changeyourworld/index.asp
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For more information, the media should contact:
Ken Turriff, Media Relations, York University, 416-736-2100, ext. 22086
YU/055/04
