TEWS 2000

TEWS 2000 opened the new millennium with a series of events aimed at establishing the concerns youth around the world have for the future and exploring what they want adults to do today to help them meet the challenges tomorrow. At this milestone in modern human history, understanding the status, conditions, concerns, potential, and ambition of those who will live the majority of their lives in the next century is critical. Why? So that adults now can work to build a world that provides our children with the best chances to meet the challenges and possibilities of the future.

EVENTS

Listening to the Future, was an International Survey of middle and secondary school students representing industrialized, middle income and developing countries.(A) Survey questions focused on the greatest concerns, fears, hopes and predictions for the next 50-100 years. "What do youth believe adults can do or should do to best prepare the world, society and young people?" "Where do adults make the grade?" "In what areas is society failing and where do we need the most work?" The survey will also ascertain youths' beliefs about the role of science and technology literacy in the present and in the future.

Shaping the World, the International Essay Contest focused students' attention on the interaction between society, science, technological development and human responsibility. Eight essay contest winners from around the world were selected as TEWS 2000 Envoys of the Future. In June, 2000 they traveled to Chicago with an adult chaperone, all expenses paid, to host the International Internet Youth Conference and attend the Millennium Gala.

Earth On-Line, International Internet Youth Conference on the eve of the Millennium Gala , focused on science, technology, society and human responsibility. During this day-long event (24 hours), June 27 and 28, young people around the world will shared ideas, stories, images and solutions for issues that surfaced as the most distressful and the most hopeful from the survey. Muhammad Ali and Dr. Mae Jemison were live guests on-line.

Official TEWS 2000 International Internet Youth Conference sites were established in locations across the United States and other parts of the world. Individual participants were also able to log on from their computers at home, work or school.

The Reality Leads Fantasy Millennium Gala held June 29, 2000 in Chicago highlighted the need for adults to commit to forge a legacy of action, understanding and vision that we will be proud to pass to our children.

Our societies' fantasies reflect and shape our past, present and future. Uses of science and technology also reflect and shape our realities today and what we dream and will make real in the years to come. The Millennium Gala: Reality Leads Fantasy centered on six noteworthy adults whose actions have enhanced the lives of others through their work in fantasy, business and other areas where reality leads fantasy. Each one of our adult Envoys to the Future are known and respected in their fields of expertise and have a strong commitment to our youth and paired with a youth Envoy for an adventure during the day. Our envoys were Avery Brook, Stephen DeMasco, Leon Lederman, Kathleen Kennedy, Teresa Gomez, and Mallar Solai. The evening was hosted by Charles Dutton and event Honorary Chairs were Bill Kurtis and Donna Lapietra. Nichelle Nichols made a special appearance. The evening ended on a high note at the gala held on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

(A) Examples of countries: Industrial _ United States, France, Ireland, Germany, Japan, Australia, Sweden, Canada; Middle Income _ India, South Africa, China, Jamaica, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Portugal; Developing/Least Developed _ Bolivia, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Senegal.