Houston students to create films on Mexican youth, economy

Houston—January 20, 2010 On Wednesday January 27th high school students will gather at the Viva Mexico Forum to discuss Mexico—its youth, culture, and the economy—and create films about these topics in a unique event hosted by the World Affairs Council of Houston and Lee High School. Funded,

Houston students to create films on Mexican youth, economy

Houston—January 20, 2010   On Wednesday January 27^th high school students will gather at the Viva Mexico Forum to discuss Mexico—its youth, culture, and the economy—and create films about these topics in a unique event hosted by the World Affairs Council of Houston and Lee High School. Funded, in part, with a grant from the Bezos Family Foundation, the student forum is an effort to engage Houston-area youth in generating original and innovative responses on topics central to international current events.

Viva Mexico is part of the World Affairs Council’s program series on Mexico, in celebration of the important anniversaries in 2010. The purpose is to deepen students’ understanding of and appreciation for Mexico, and to engage them through digital media.

James Breiner, who heads the Center for Digital Journalism in Guadalajara, will share his experience training journalists in Mexico and give the students tools to create their own mini film at the event. 

Breiner has been interacting with students from the Houston Academy for International Studies on the event blog: www.vivamexicohouston.blogspot.com

HAIS students are curious about teenagers in Mexico, the Mayan civilization, influential artists, and security. One student asked if “Mexico's employment [was] affected by the global recession.”

At Lee High School, students and teachers from the Visual and Media Arts (VMA) learning community have been especially interested in this event, and will contribute their technical expertise during the breakout sessions that will involve film creation with cellular phones.

Local media celebrities Rosa Flores of KHOU and Tony Diaz of Nuestra Palabra KPFT are also involved in the event. They will share with students their media skills and knowledge of Mexico.

Student films created at the event can be submitted for entry in the Global Short Film Competition for youth, hosted by the Mexican Foreign Ministry.

If you would like more information about this program, please contact the World Affairs Council office at 713-522-7811 or edu@wachouston.org.

Event Date: Wednesday January 27^th
Location: Lee High School, 6529 Beverly Hill Lane, Houston, Texas  77057

Time: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

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Chartered in 1990, the World Affairs Council is one of Houston's most prestigious citizen forums. Through varied and substantive programs, the Council presents all sides of current global issues and promotes understanding of international relations. The result is a better educated citizenry and the advancement of Houston as an important international center. Recognizing the need to improve the quality of international education, the World Affairs Council of Houston established Education Outreach in 1999. Today it is a model for education programs across the nation. For more information visit www.wachouston.org