Santee Education Complex Brings Student Art on Sustainability by Bike to LA City Hall, Schools

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100422006431/en

LA City Hall Rotunda Show, Hosted by City Council Member Jan Perry, First Stop
LOS ANGELES--(Business Wire)--
The Santee Education Complex Debate Team is hosting its "Vision of a Sustainable
Future" student art contest, transported by bicycle to schools across Los
Angeles. The show opens at L.A. City Hall Rotunda on Friday, April 23, from
10am-1pm. Student artists have been asked to envision a world where the threat
of climate change has been eliminated due to sustainable living practices.
Bicycles were chosen to carry the art because they are a carbon free method of
transportation, and therefore figure prominently in a vision of the sustainable
future. Submitted art includes works from Santee, Jefferson, and Venice High
Schools. Local Artists have also submitted pieces.

The contest is part of Santee Debate`s participation in the UN Foundation`s
Global Debates program, which challenges high school students from around the
world to think critically about pressing global issues. The project and any
related press coverage will give the team points in its Global Debate
Competition.

This spring, the team debated the actions and adaptations necessary to combat
climate change. "Students at Santee Education Complex are coming up with
creative approaches to combat some of the world`s biggest problems," said
Kaitlin Barry, Campus Outreach Director with the United Nations Foundation. "In
order to tackle deep-rooted issues such as poverty and climate change, we need
to look at them from every angle-the fresh perspective that each school brings
is tremendously valuable. We look forward to the actions each student takes to
implement real change in their communities."

As a result of their participation in the Global Debates, Santee Education
Complex will be highlighted throughout the UN Foundation website and be eligible
to win prizes that include a $2,000 UN Foundation school grant and a trip to the
Open Society Institute`s Youth Forum in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND

Since their inception, the UN Foundation Global Debates have been held in more
than 90 countries. From Moldova and South Africa to Los Angeles and Mississippi,
this program continues to grow, educating and activating new communities of
students and teachers from around the world. By engaging students and their
teachers on issues of poverty reduction, global health, climate change and more,
the UN Foundation is inspiring young people to be a positive force for change in
the world. More information is available online at
http://www.unfoundation.org/our-impact/engaging-youth/the-global-debates.html

The United Nations Foundation is an advocate for the UN and a platform for
connecting people, ideas, and resources to help the United Nations solve global
problems. www.UNFoundation.org

The Santee Education Complex Debate Team has won the Global Debates each of the
past two years.

UPCOMING Art Gallery exhibit of the Vision of a Sustainable Future shows (for
additional information contact one of the coaches below)

-- April 22 Venice High School Earth Day Celebration
-- April 23 City Hall Rotunda-200 N. Spring St. 10am-1pm
-- April 24 Gallery Exhibit at TOW
-- April 25 Earth Day at Eco Village, 117 Bimini Place Los Angeles, CA 90004
-- April 27 LAUSD Board Meeting Presentation
-- April 28-May 15 Presentations at City Councils and School Boards throughout California

Santee Education Complex
Nick Richert, English Teacher, Debate Advisor
310-428-4222
nwr2990@lausd.net
or
Amber Young, Math Teacher, Debate Advisor
310-256-6267
amber.young@lausd.net

Copyright Business Wire 2010