"Youth Activism & Social Justice Leadership" Discussion Panel

In the wake of recent school violence, adult scholars, policymakers, and opinion leaders are being consulted about the problems of youth and their appropriate solutions. Yet few decisionmakers ask young people themselves about what they need and how best to meet those needs. This panel brings together youth activists, adult advocates, and UIC scholars to examine the challenges facing youth and how they are addressed by critical social justice pedagogy. It highlights the work of students and adults at The Chicago Freedom School, a nonprofit organization that supports social change movements by developing youth skills in leadership skills and critical consciousness. Speakers include several Freedom Fellows from the Chicago Freedom School along with Mia Henry, Director of CFS; Dave Stovall, Associate Professor, Education Policy Studies UIC; and Kevin Kumashiro, Chair and Professor, Education Policy Studies at UIC. RSVP by Thursday, 11/15/09 to irrpp@uic.edu.