Ashley Judd Helps Launch ''CURRENTS,'' a Global Youth Dialogue on HIV/AIDS; K-12 Video Conferencing Program Offers Students Worldwide a Forum to Discuss the Epidemic and Its Consequences Across the World.WASHINGTON -- Demonstrating that celebrities care and can make a difference, on September 14, YouthAIDS Global Ambassador Ashley Judd Ashley Judd (born April 19, 1968) is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her leading roles in a series of late 1990s and early 2000s thrillers, including Kiss the Girls, Double Jeopardy and High Crimes. will kick off CURRENTS, a series of international teen videoconferencing exchanges on the subject of HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome produced by Global Nomads Group in partnership with YouthAIDS and Semester at Sea Semester at Sea (SAS) is a study abroad program managed by the Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) in Charlottesville, Virginia. The University of Virginia is the academic sponsor for the program. , and sponsored by Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq:PLCM PLCM Product Life-Cycle Management PLCM public long code mask PLCM Public Land Code Mask ) Judd, along with American Idol American Idol is an annual American televised singing competition, which began its first season on June 11, 2002. Part of the Idol franchise, it originated from the British reality program Pop Idol. contestant Kimberly Locke, will host the first live dialogue between students in Washington, D.C. and their peers in Salvador, Brazil. The D.C. students participating are peer educators from Metro TeenAIDS, a D.C. based nonprofit partnering in the event. The videoconference will take place at Howard University Howard University, at Washington, D.C.; coeducational; with federal support. It was founded in 1867 by Gen. Oliver O. Howard of the Freedmen's Bureau, to provide education for newly emancipated slaves. A normal and preparatory department was opened the same year. , and will also include Marsha Martin, the new Director of the District's HIV/AIDS Administration. This event launches a two month global discourse on contemporary issues and obstacles associated with the AIDS epidemic, as well as exploring ways in which youth taking action. To further develop the skills of the participants, the Staying Alive Foundation will be providing grants to select participants with the goal of developing innovative awareness programs. The brainchild of the educational non profit organization Global Nomads Group, CURRENTS is an international education initiative sponsored by Polycom video conferencing See videoconferencing. (communications) video conferencing - A discussion between two or more groups of people who are in different places but can see and hear each other using electronic communications. systems bringing together American High American High School may refer to the following:
"AIDS is truly a global problem, and it's important to encourage young people to talk about it," said Global Nomads Group's Executive Director Mark von Sponeck. "Celebrities such as Ashley Judd are to be commended for their efforts to raise awareness around this issue." Bob Hagerty, chairman and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Polycom, said, "Polycom is proud to be a Global Nomads sponsor enabling the global discussion among today's youth through programs like CURRENTS. Enabling students from around the world to communicate face to face over video conferencing helps them truly understand the human impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and fosters an important global connectedness among the next generation of leaders." CURRENTS Town Hall meetings will revolve around the specificities of HIV/AIDS from country to country, and will address the social stigmas associated with HIV/AIDS, the economic consequences of the disease, and access and obstacles in securing treatment for patients. "Through this program we aspire to give youth a comprehensive picture of the magnitude of this crisis and to provide a forum in which this disease can be discussed frankly, openly and honestly," said Kate Roberts, founder and director of YouthAIDS. "We hope this forms a basis of a pro-active youth response to the crisis." About Semester at Sea Semester at Sea is a cross-cultural global studies program administered by the Institute for Shipboard ship·board n. 1. The condition of being aboard a ship: on shipboard. 2. Archaic The side of a ship. adj. Education, with undergraduate academic credit certified by the University of Pittsburgh. Since 1963, nearly 40,000 have participated in the program. Semester at Sea provides opportunities for the exploration and study of many of the people, places and cultures around the world. Programs are designed for undergraduate students seeking to include an international component to their college experience. A limited number of non-student travelers may also take advantage of the Semester at Sea experience through the Semester at Sea Continuing Education continuing education: see adult education. continuing education or adult education Any form of learning provided for adults. In the U.S. the University of Wisconsin was the first academic institution to offer such programs (1904). Program. More information is available at www.semesteratsea.com. About Polycom Polycom, Inc. is the worldwide leader in unified collaborative communications (UCC An abbreviation for the Uniform Commercial Code. ) that maximize the efficiency and productivity of people and organizations by integrating the broadest array of video, voice, data and Web solutions to deliver the ultimate communications experience. Polycom's high quality, standards-based conferencing and collaboration solutions are easy to deploy and manage, as well as intuitive to use. Supported by an open architecture, they integrate seamlessly with leading telephony and presence-based networks. With its market driving technologies, best-in-class products, alliance partnerships, and world-class service, Polycom is the smart choice for organizations seeking proven solutions and a competitive advantage in real-time communications and collaboration. For additional information call 1-800-POLYCOM (765-9266) or +1-408-526-9000, or visit the Polycom website at www.polycom.com. About YouthAIDS YouthAIDS, an HIV/AIDS education and prevention initiative of Population Services International Population Services International (PSI): PSI is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. that uses private sector funding to address the health problems of low-income and vulnerable populations in 60 developing countries [1]. (PSI), targets youth between the ages of 15-24 with positive upbeat messages of abstinence, consistent and correct condom use for sexually active young adults and delayed sexual debut. YouthAIDS uses media, pop culture, music, theater and sports to reach 600 million young people in over 60 countries with life-saving messages, products, services and care. www.youthaids.org. About Metro TeenAIDS Metro TeenAIDS (MTA (1) (Message Transfer Agent or Mail Transfer Agent) The store and forward part of a messaging system. See messaging system. (2) See M Technology Association. 1. (messaging) MTA - Message Transfer Agent. ) is a community-health organization dedicated to supporting young people in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Through education, support, and advocacy, MTA prevents the spread of HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. , promotes responsible decision making, and improves the quality of life for young people infected with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS. MTA is the only organization in the DC area to focus exclusively on HIV and youth. About Global Nomads Group Global Nomads Group (http://www.gng.org) is a non-profit 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 has produced nearly 100 video link ups between American youth and youth from around the world. CURRENTS is a GNG international education program that links American youth with their peers around the world via video conferencing and the internet to discuss the most pressing global issues of our time and work together to solve them. Sponsors for CURRENTS include Polycom, Inc., ID Solutions, and Semester at Sea. |
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