Call for Participation — America's Youth Forum 2004

.The New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College and USA Today announced a call to Educators for participation in America's Youth Forum 2004, the Nation's first interactive youth forum. Additional information is available at www.americasyouthforum.org.

America's Youth Forum 2004

Educators and one of their classes are invited to participate in America's Youth Forum 2004, an exciting, nationwide civic engagement project, hosted by The New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College and USA Today. America's Youth Forum 2004, the Nation's first interactive youth forum, will provide voting-age high school and college students with an opportunity to research issues and ask questions of the presidential primary candidates in November 2003, during New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary, a pivotal event of the 2004 nominating process. Space is limited to 200 classrooms of students who will be of voting age for the 2004 election. Participating educators are asked that during the fall semester, they assign students the task of identifying and researching at least one significant issue facing the country. Students will study the issue and develop questions to ask the presidential candidates during the youth forum in November. The New Hampshire Institute of Politics and USA Today will provide a number of resources. They will conduct a nationwide survey of 18-24 year olds to identify their opinions on some of the most important issues facing the country and the next president. In addition, the classes will:

• Receive copies of USA Today
• Access special online election resources
• Interact with participating classes across the country
• Utilize educational resources provided by The New Hampshire Institute of Politics and USA Today to enhance research
• Participate in the presidential forums (They are hoping to have one forum with the Democratic presidential candidates and one forum with President Bush), hosted by The New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, in Manchester, New Hampshire, through webcast and direct satellite technologies

Together, the combination of research, and the use of newspapers and online resources will stimulate the discussion of current events and encourage students to become more involved in the electoral process. At the culmination of America's Youth Forum 2004, teachers and students will be required to complete a program evaluation. For more information or to register for this program, visit www.americasyouthforum.org or call Kate Bond at 703-854-4578. You are urged to register by August 25, 2003, as participation is limited to 200 classes nationwide.

Al Frascella (afrascella@ncss.org)
Director of Communications and Government Relations
National Council for the Social Studies
8555 16th Street, Suite 500
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301.588.1800, x113 Fax: 301.588.2049
Toll Free: 800.296.7840, x113
Web: http://www.ncss.org/
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