University of the Streets comes to the ALCC

This year the DLP is pleased to be involved in coordinating a series of public conversations on youth and media with University of the Streets for the month of April. Those of you not familiar with UoS please check out their website here: http://univcafe.org/eng/about

This conversation series will take place Monday evenings at the Atwater library and in other downtown cafe venues starting April 7th. Parents, educators, media activists and of course youth themselves are invited to participate in the conversations. These will be bilingual events.

Event Descriptions:

Monday, April 7 | 7 to 9 p.m.
Atwater Library and Computer Centre, 1200 Atwater Ave.
Title: Data-mining, young people and privacy: What are the trade-offs to posting your stuff online?

Online social networks are replacing the iconic image of the teenager hogging the phone in the 1950's. The new image is of the family computer as a social hub for a lively set of online identities. Applications like Facebook and MySpace not only help young people communicate with each other, they also collect and redistribute information to marketers and market researchers. In this conversation we will explore the complex issues that surround social software, young people, privacy and rights. Some subjects under discussion: What are the trade-offs to being on sites like Facebook, and how can young people safely explore and express their identities while still using these interesting new media properties?

Guest: Steven Mansour is an expert on cyberinfrastructure, cyberactivism, Internet privacy policy, and web-based knowledge transfer methods. As well as serving in an advisory capactiy to several global, national and local web initiatives , Steven established the Strict Machine Foundation, to provide training, support and general mischief to medical groups, scientists, non-profits, academia and community groups in developing countries and in underserved communities in Canada. He blogs at StevenMansour.com.

Monday, April 14 | 7 to 9 p.m.
Café Pera, 2055 Bishop
Title: Youth Citizens: How does media help young people have a voice, even if they can't vote (yet)?

Do young people use the media for their own needs or is the media using them? Youth are often portrayed as being apathetic, cynical or outright dismissive of politics and social change. Often, youth involved in sub-cultural social activities get portrayed as a threat to a stable society. Whether or not this is an honest portrayal, it definitely spreads the idea that young people are not involved in politics. But is it this the truth? A healthy democracy requires an active participation by youth in our society. In this conversation we will explore ways that young people advocate for themselves and how they use media to create a space for citizenship even if they can't necessarily rock the vote.

Guest: Paul Shore, Montreal filmmaker and media consultant, is Canada Bureau Chief for Guerrilla News Network (http://www.gnn.tv), co-founder of Apathy Is Boring (http://www.apathyisboring.com) and creator and producer of CBC's The Shadow Reports (http://www.youtube.com/shadowreports).

Monday, April 21 | 7 to 9 p.m.
Café Ciné-Express, 1926 Ste-Catherine O.
Title: Ego Trippin': If we're all making media, then who is watching?

What do we do if everyone has 15 minutes of fame every 10 minutes? With more people making media then ever before, how do we build audiences and interest? How do we determine what is worthy of our attention and support? How do young media producers make sure that their work gets out there, while also appreciating and supporting other people's efforts in the same field? In the generation of "Idol" and other "reality" shows, how have our ideas of fame, fortune and the role of the audience changed?

Guest: Isabella Salas, born and raised in Mexico city, was struck by a love for cinema at the age of 17. Having majored in film production and french studies at Concordia University, she has worked internationally as production director, coordinator, director, actress, researcher, publisher, distribution assistant, and marketing director for several independent films and events. Presently, Isabella works as producer for Polivista Productions and Didaskalia Films (www.didaskaliafilms.com), production companies that encouraging upcoming directors and cultural diversity.

We look forward to seeing you!