Teens Converge to Promote Diversity

More than 1,000 teenagers from over 90 Colorado high schools and youth organizations will gather on February 5, 2011, to celebrate diversity and to strategize on developing a safe and welcoming learning environment across the state’s high schools and communities.

“In the wake of a series of gay teenage suicides, a tense political environment, reality television featuring teenage pregnancy, and religious intolerance, this year’s conference fulfills a great need for discussion on respect, tolerance and unity,” said Janet Sammons, Co-Director. “This conference provides students and teachers with the necessary skills to discuss diversity and implement action plans to make their schools a more welcoming environment.”

This year marks the 18th year that students and teachers are participating in the annual Cherry Creek Diversity Conference. This year’s theme is “Take the Express Train to Diversity.” The conference will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cherry Creek High School, 9300 East Union Avenue in Greenwood Village.

The keynote speech will be delivered by three young adult members of the Abrahamic Initiative, a group that encourages dialogue among Jews, Christians and Muslims and fosters mutual understanding and appreciation for the faith perspectives of each tradition.  They will discuss their experiences in interfaith dialogue and why it is so important in today’s world. During the opening session one senior student will be awarded the 2011 Diversity Conference Scholarship for his/her efforts to make a difference in their local school and community.

Throughout the day, student and adult participants will break into discussion groups and workshops to address respect and diversity issues in their schools including topics such as cliques, physical and mental challenges, religion, sexual orientation, conflict resolution, gender, socio-economic concerns, and teen social problems.

Among the 40 workshops offered:

• “Using Social Issue Media to Inspire Change,” featuring a collection of 12 short films to teach participants how to use social issue media with their groups and schools in order to promote social change regarding diversity issues.
• “Left vs. Right: Politics and Diversity,” in which participants learn to practice the art of communication and the tool of compromise as a way to move forward politically.
• “The Realities of Teen Pregnancy,” a panel discussion led by a local teen pregnancy center exploring the challenges and rewards of teen parenting.
• “Real African Music: The Root of Hip Hop,” where participants can play the djembe, marimba, and other African musical instruments and sing authentic African songs.
• “A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School,” in which Carlotta Walls LaNier, one of the Little Rock Nine, will share her first-hand experience of desegregating the school system in Arkansas during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement.

Following these workshops, students meet with their schools to outline an action plan to improve respect in their own community and commit to implementing this plan. The closing ceremonies will feature a performance by SF1, a Denver-based hip-hop group with African and Latin influences, and the presentation of the Human Rights Award to Prax(us) for its work combating human trafficking and sexual slavery.

The 18th annual Diversity Conference is co-chaired by Samuel Lambert, a senior at Highlands Ranch High School, and Lubna Mazin, a senior at St. Mary’s Academy.  The Executive Planning Committee is comprised of 30 student and adult volunteers from several participating schools.

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire