URE Projects for 2006 / 2007

A Collaboration Between all Organizations and Individuals within the URE Consortium

Using Technology to Change Attitudes and Behaviors

Based on an ongoing assessment of the social, behavioral and environmental imbalances being addressed by each of the URE organizations within the Consortium, we recognize that the world may well be approaching a tipping point. URE is convinced that in order to create a hopeful and sustainable future, we need to support and empower younger generations, our future leaders, with the tools and resources needed to promote sensible decision-making and decisive action. 

In this exciting, multifaceted project, we aim to pool our resources into a dynamic and engaging on-line format that will stimulate dialogue on some of the pertinent global issues of our time.  In addition, via an activist message and powerful multi-media techniques, we will support creative projects that reach beyond the web and into our communities.

Initiating Meaningful Dialogue

We hope to challenge our audience to actively join us in the search for the root causes common to many of the problems in the world today. Drawing from the unique strengths and talents of each individual within URE, we will share the responsibility of providing students and young audiences with articles and educational resources on social and environmental topics.

 By raising awareness and providing an interactive educational foundation, we aim to stimulate on-line discussion and creative brainstorming on an international scale. We hope that this site will encourage visitors to not only raise questions and make connections, but also, to propose creative solutions.

From Good Intentions to Action

URE believes that turning meaningful dialogue into positive action, we need to provide a forum where young people sense that their opinions and contributions are valued, where they can creatively address issues that are personally meaningful, and where they are given recognition and support for their unique talents and ingenuity. With this in mind, this site will also provide opportunities for participants to develop and voice their responses in a wide variety of media.

With the initial, enthusiastic involvement of students from the University of Southern California, participants will be invited to express their views through a broad spectrum of media, including: video projects, photo-essay books, music, illustrations, interview projects and even the development of activist organizations among peer groups and local communities!

A few highlights of the projects that USC students are currently proposing and developing include:

• Addressing why Gender Studies aren't currently taught in high schools by creating related curriculum on CD -- complete with educational, multimedia presentations for students and lesson plans and resources for teachers

• EP / collection of songs that engage young audiences on meaningful social and environmentally related topics-- Includes the possible start of a musicians' network on the USC campus and the arrangement of a group concert

• Organization of a Female Athlete Mentor Day for young girls in surrounding communities. This event hopes to encourage girls to be involved in team sports traditionally perceived to be "boy's events". It also aims to promote healthy body images and increased self-esteem by demonstrating that athletic, diverse body types are both socially acceptable as well beautiful!

Showcasing Innovative Ideas

Through the power of interactive web media, this web site will showcase participants’ projects, providing recognition for their contributions as well as critical networking opportunities. A summary of the project (and visual or audio posting, where applicable) will accompany links to the author(s). This will allow visitors to the site to interact with each other sharing ideas, networking, and participating in projects that interest them.

Providing Additional Incentives and Support

To foster and continue the growth of projects that demonstrate exceptional creativity or success, we are also exploring the sponsorship of on-line contests. Offering modest cash prizes, or even small grants that young people might invest back into their project may provide increased incentive for participation as well as financial resources to help individuals take their projects to the “next level.”

We also plan to provide some strategic tools and resources for participants interested in pursuing additional grants from organizations outside of URE.  Knowing how to get your project funded is a critical step in the development process.  URE organizations and their representatives have a wealth of experience to share in fund raising, project design and evaluation techniques.

Beyond Computers:  Engaging Communities

URE recognizes that the success of this effort depends upon the concerned voices of our younger generations extending well beyond the Internet and reaching the communities they are aiming to help. Some of the selected projects will be activist-based and therefore community-oriented by definition, directly involving students in a journey of discovery and continuous improvement.

Based on an assessment of the audience response to these projects after they are launched, we hope to organize events and workshops in high schools, universities and/or local community centers in selected locations across the country. These events may help move some of the discussions from on-line blogs into a face-to-face setting, provide an opportunity for young people to share a variety of dynamic projects with live audiences, and to develop contacts with others who may be working toward similar goals.  If these events are successful, they may inspire others to initiate creative projects of their own...with or without the Internet.

We will also be exploring ways to coordinate and advertise these events off-line. This off-line component of the project is based on the hope that highly motivated, on-line participants will be enthusiastic about assuming leadership roles and will assist in spearheading these initiatives.

Collaborative Learning at its Best

This collaborative project is an ambitious undertaking.  But it represents our firm belief in the creative energy and innovative talents of young people.  If successful, we look forward to realizing our common goal of creating a more balanced, more hopeful future.  Your involvement will make a world of difference!

Stay tuned!