2001 Conference
"LISTEN TO WHAT WE ARE SAYING:
CREATING SAFE SPACES FOR OUR YOUTH"
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ASPIRA
Hosts School Violence Prevention Conference
On Wednesday, May 30th & Thursday, May 31th, ASPIRA of New
York, in partnership with the New York State Education Department
hosted the 5th Annual School Violence Prevention Conference
at the Metropolitan Hotel located at 569 Lexington Avenue
and East 51st Street. The 2-day conference drew more than
200 participants from schools and community based organizations
throughout New York City.
The
conference is designed to provide technical assistance for
New York State Education Department/Violence Prevention grant
recipients and other agencies in violence prevention for New
York City Schools.
Information, activities and workshops that focus on strategies
& models for improved school safety as well as community based,
youth driven response aimed at reducing the potential for
school violence are provided through this conference. The
theme of the conference was "Listen to What We Are Saying:
Creating Safe Spaces for Our Youth" and focused predominantly
on perceptions, images and impact of school violence as seen
and experienced by youth.
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on the image for a larger view
During the 1st day of the conference, attendees were welcomed
to the event with continental breakfast, opening remarks by
the ASPIRA and State Education Department leadership and a
moving choir performance by the NYC Public School Repertory
Company. One of the highlights of the morning activities was
the emotionally charged keynote address by Dr. Beverly Coleman-Miller.
Dr. Coleman-Miller is a leading authority on the impact of
community, social and environmental issues on public health.
Conference workshops and panel discussions were convened during
the 2nd day of the conference. The audience came together
to enjoy lunch and an empowering keynote address by Geoffrey
Canada, an acclaimed author, Heinz Award recipient & President
& CEO of Harlem Children's Zone (formerly Rheedlen Center
for Children and Families). During his keynote address, Mr.
Canada spoke on the rapid progression of violence through
the decades. Using current statistics for young men, he illustrated
how violent acts are not only demonstrating an increase in
frequency but in severity as well.
"Our
philosophy in coordinating this conference is to create a
forum to broker an open dialogue between youth, parents, community
leaders, educators and law enforcement officials with the
understanding that each of us plays a role in school violence
prevention. We believe that by putting youth leaders at the
forefront of the school violence prevention equation we create
a new dynamic for discussion - one which needs to be addressed
if we sincerely hope to end the cycle of violence," said
Alex Betancourt, Deputy Director for ASPIRA of New York.
