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=MODEL KYOTO 2011=

As many nations struggle to reach consensus on just how to tackle climate change, its effects continue to play out variously across the globe, with particular harm accruing in the form of melting glaciers, desertification, rising sea levels, and soil erosion. And this is where schools come in: Schools are uniquely positioned to leverage the energy of youth to achieve social justice. In the classroom, a good teacher highlights the harmful effects of climate change – and students often run with it, committing to make a tangible difference across the street or across the world. Model Kyoto 2011 serves as additional ballast, helping interested students and their teachers to connect the dots between theory and practice, between classroom learning and committed action. Consistent with Kyoto 2006: Advancing to the Challenge of Climate Change, this symposium approaches climate change mitigation along 2 separate tracks.
 * JUSTIFICATION OF THE SYMPOSIUM**

The aim of creating separating tracks is to meet faculty and students where they are. For faculty, this experience will suggest globally relevant climate change perspectives for curriculum. For students, it will inspire by highlighting which of these new perspectives they may use in their roles as agents of change. __The Faculty Track__ invites all participating teachers to explore the benefits of curriculum integration, and how it can broaden and enhance students‘ learning experience. This track offers a substantial curriculum development component to assist schools that want to learn the nuts and bolts of integrating Model Kyoto perspectives into their curriculum. Through interactive dialogue, panel discussions, and plenary sessions with NGO and industry experts, Model Kyoto shows participants how best to link classroom teaching to contemporary climate events happening around the world. __The Student Track__ follows the creative, diverse climate change projects and collaborations in which students are involved, not only locally but globally. Students will share and present to their peers on the range of issues they are undertaking individually, and collectively in consortium, to address the demands of climate change worldwide. Every element of the symposium is structured to help students see themselves as initiators—to begin sensing their place in the world of decision-making and public action. Climate change experts and other accomplished environmental professionals will serve as moderators and facilitators during the entirety of Model Kyoto 2011.
 * CONCEPT OF THE TWO PARALLEL TRACKS: STUDENT & FACULTY**

We are more interconnected today than ever—environmentally, and through trade flows and human migration. Countries are no longer isolated islands. Tackling global challenges, including climate change, involves the ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and use technology to collaborate with a diversity of voices worldwide. Model Kyoto 2011 uses Open Education, discussion forums, documentary films, and more to emphasize the collaborative process.
 * SYMPOSIUM COMPONENTS & FEATURES: HARNESSING TECHNOLOGY**

Model Kyoto 2011 features a synchronized ―virtual site‖ to allow students throughout the world to attend and participate in the conference. Due to time difference and technology challenges, students will also be able to access Model Kyoto via a-synchronized archive sessions.
 * Open Education**

To meet students where they are, pre- and post-forums will be offered via Moodle and Elluminate to stimulate discussion of the students‘ own climate projects and ideas. Students are increasingly applying the digital technologies of the 21st century to school projects and other initiatives; it is transforming the way they learn. Model Kyoto 2011 encourages the application of new technologies on behalf of student-driven climate change solutions. Worldwide, students are moving toward collaboration as their preferred way to learn. With this in mind, Model Kyoto 2011 features a collection of cohorts, each of which comprising students from at least 3 countries. Cohorts are elective; each promotes diverse voices, each highlights the unique ‗lived experiences‘ of its delegates. Above all, each cohort features a particular climate change conundrum, challenging participants to design a meaningful, actionable solution.
 * Discussion Forums**
 * Cohorts to Encourage Collaboration**

At Model Kyoto 2011, student present projects that they have designed, and in which they remain involved; each student delegate will ‗put their project into action‘ by screening a 15-minute documentary about climate change issues directly involving his or her community or nation. Each student will show the documentary to peers, making it available for wide-ranging debate as to innovation and application.
 * Screening of Student Documentary Films**

Model Kyoto 2011 is open to students and faculty from US independent high schools, US public high schools, and international and government schools worldwide. The event will appeal to schools interested in incorporating novel climate change perspectives and solutions into their science, social studies, and other curricula.
 * WHO WILL ATTEND**

Model Kyoto 2011 insists on delegate representation from all 6 continents; such participation promotes diverse dialogue and truly global perspectives and solutions. Our students are presently living and witnessing at least two dozen major regional effects of climate change – from Russian dust bowls and Bolivian water shortages to floods in South Asia and food insecurity in Haiti. Onsite delegates will debate the real-time and long-term consequences of these effects actively and in person, via moderated workshops. Online delegates will participate ‗technologically‘, via synchronized discussions employing the innovative Elluminate educational software in certain locales. All delegates will experience the benefit of collaborating as a multinational team to achieve a singular goal.

__**Online Participation:**__ To take advantage of current technology, some schools will participate in Model Kyoto through ‗Elluminate‘ web-conferencing.
 * __Venue:__** Model Kyoto will be held at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. It will be co-hosted by the Emory College Center for Science Education and the Hughes Science Initiative.
 * __Date:__** June 25 – 27, 2011 (Registration takes place on June 24; overnight/international students and faculty may arrive as early as June 23.)
 * __Participants:__** Model Kyoto will play host to approximately 120 students and 60 teaching faculty.
 * __Registration Fee:__** The participation fee is $1060, which includes registration, 4 nights‘ accommodation, and 3 meals daily. US schools should budget up to $650 for airfare to/from Atlanta. Round-trip airport transport to the Emory campus is $70.

To learn more about the mission, activities, logistics, and pricing of Model Kyoto 2011, contact Fungai Kanogoiwa at FungaiK@AlterraConsulting.org and (703) 549 9115  begin_of_the_skype_highlighting   (703) 549 9115  end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
 * TO LEARN MORE AND TO REGISTER**