American Conference on Diversity Manytown Forum Develops Future Social-Justice & Community Leaders

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - April 3, 2013 - PRLog -- New Brunswick, NJ – While most high-school students followed their daily school-day routine one day last month, nearly 50 future leaders from Freehold Township, Middlesex, Secaucus, and Woodbury High Schools broke out of their comfort zones and attended a series of human-relations workshops as part of the American Conference on Diversity’s signature 2013 Manytown for Central/Southern New Jersey.

Titled “Youth Voices, Youth Issues,” our 14th annual diversity and social-justice forum was held at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ. The unique leadership-development program provided New Jersey youth from racially/ethnically, culturally, and socioeconomically mixed backgrounds the opportunity to explore diversity and inclusion and identify strategies to improve human relations within their schools, workplaces, and communities.

The students, who will be tomorrow’s attorneys, healthcare professionals, teachers, and politicians, had the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, participate in open and honest conversation with their peers, and discuss strategies for increasing awareness and promoting diversity in their schools and communities. Several participants are already enrolled in our 2013 Lead for Diversity program, which will take place July 21 to 26 at the Pocono Environmental Education Center in Dingmans Ferry, PA. To register your school or organization, visit http://americanconferenceondiversity.org/lead-for-diversity.

During the forum, all students participated in three workshops facilitated by the American Conference on Diversity’s Pam Harris, Director of Education & Evaluation, and Bari Katz, Director of Youth/Collegiate Services:

►Talking Peer-to-Peer: Participants learned to improve their facilitation skills to lead conversations around issues of diversity and social justice with peers

►Power of Words: Students learned how to use print media to advocate for social responsibility

►Make Your Voice Heard: Attendees worked with performers to understand how performance arts can be used to educate others about social justice

Freehold Township High School LFD Advisor Trish Jordan found the learning experience motivating and rewarding. “Thanks for inviting our Lead for Diversity group to participate in the Manytown workshop,” she said. “The potential LFD’ers for next year came back excited and ready to forge a new path here at Freehold Township High School! You and your group are an awesome inspiration…Thank you for all that you do!”

About the American Conference on Diversity

The programs, services, and initiatives of the American Conference on Diversity are among the most important work focused on creating a more inclusive society. It is the unfinished business of living in a highly diverse nation: educating and empowering our next generation of leaders; enhancing our workplaces; and helping to create inclusive communities. The American Conference on Diversity, which has been serving schools, organizations, workplaces, and communities in New Jersey since 1948, builds on a historic mission and creates programs and activities relevant and vital to 21st Century life. It is a journey we can all take together. The American Conference on Diversity operates eight chapters to help us to educate and empower leaders and bring our messages of inclusion and respect to communities throughout New Jersey: Atlantic County Chapter, Bayonne Chapter, Central Jersey Chapter, Essex County Chapter, Greater Bergen Chapter, Hudson County Chapter, Jersey Shore Chapter, and Mercer County Chapter. Visit www.AmericanConferenceonDiversity.org to learn more.

Contact:
Gail Zoppo
Media Relations Consultant
109 Church Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
gail@AmericanConferenceonDiversity.org
732-745-9330 x35