TEDxPhilly - Nijmie Dzurinko - Challenging negative perceptions of young people January 19, 2012

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Nijmie Dzurinko's challenge: let's reconsider the negative perceptions of young people in our society -- as apathetic and lazy, unwilling to learn, not capable of critical thinking and problem solving, and more. Dzurinko draws attention to the oppression of youth -- by circumstance, the education system, government policy, the criminal justice system and by our own preconceptions. If people recognize these negative beliefs, we as a society can take strides towards young peoples liberation that will in turn help our school systems, our cities and our country.

Dzurinko is the executive director of the Philadelphia Student Union, an organization that develops youth leaders on the front lines of school reform. She is also a co-founder and executive committee member of the Media Mobilizing Project which exists to build the media and communications infrastructure for a movement to end poverty, led by poor and working people, united across color lines.

http://home.phillystudentunion.org
http://mediamobilizing.org

The 2011 TEDxPhilly conference examined vast interpretations of the theme "The City" on Tuesday, November 8. TEDxPhilly brought together engaging speakers, performers, participants and exhibitors to deconstruct, decipher and explore some of the greatest challenges, innovations, concepts and realities that shape and are shaped by cities and their inhabitants. Philadelphia was the point of departure, but the conversation traveled beyond its borders. The event took place at Temple Performing Arts Center in North Philadelphia.

http://www.tedxphilly.com

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)