New Web Site Offers Resource and Tools for Educators to Engage Students in
Service-Learning
NEW YORK, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Fund for UNICEF recently
announced the launch of TeachUNICEF.org (http://www.TeachUNICEF.org), a new
online resource created to help teachers and youth group leaders engage
students as active global citizens by learning about UNICEF's efforts
worldwide.
Upon launch, the new Web site will provide background information about
UNICEF, facts about the South Asia tsunami disaster and personal accounts from
survivors and individuals involved in relief efforts. As the Web site
continues to evolve, content and information on other topical subjects and
UNICEF programs will be added.
In addition to being a teaching tool, TeachUNICEF.org shows students who
raised money for the tsunami relief effort how their funds were spent, what
steps UNICEF took to deliver help and a timeline of aid. In response to the
tsunami crisis, children and schools in the United Stated raised nearly $8
million for UNICEF's ongoing relief efforts in the region. Given this
unprecedented outpouring of support, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF wanted to
provide an interactive resource for teachers to share information with
students about how their fundraising is having a direct impact.
"Helping people recover from a disaster doesn't stop when the television
crews go home. It's a process that requires planning and perseverance," said
President of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Charles J. Lyons. "TeachUNICEF.org
helps teachers see what UNICEF does on the ground and allows students to track
progress, while providing service-learning that focuses on global issues."
TeachUNICEF.org focuses initially on UNICEF's efforts in response to the
South Asia tsunami. The Web site includes:
* information on donations and their impact
* descriptions of how UNICEF operates during emergencies
* stories of hope about children and families affected by the devastation
* perspectives from UNICEF staff on making a difference globally
* "audio blogs" of teachers and students who contributed to the relief
efforts
* "discussion starters" for teachers to engage students in learning about
the disaster
"American children's overwhelming response to the tsunami disaster showed
the U.S. Fund for UNICEF that when given the right tools and motivation, kids
can be effective and generous as advocates and fundraisers," said Meg
Gardinier managing director of Education and Community Partnerships for the
U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "We hope that school leaders will help us keep our
youngest supporters aware and motivated by using TeachUNICEF.org in their
classrooms."
TeachUNICEF.org was spearheaded by U.S. Fund for UNICEF board member
Leanna Landsmann, the former President of TIME for Kids magazine and an
inductee of the EdPress Hall of Fame, educational publishing's highest honor.
Please visit http://www.teachunicef.org for more information.
About UNICEF
Founded in 1946, UNICEF helps save, protect and improve the lives of
children in 157 countries through immunization, education, health care,
nutrition, clean water and sanitation. UNICEF is non-partisan and its
cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most
disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority. For
more information about UNICEF or to make a donation, please visit
http://www.unicefusa.org or call 1-800-4UNICEF.
SOURCE U.S. Fund For UNICEF
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Related links:
http://www.unicefusa.org
http://www.TeachUNICEF.org
CONTACT:
Chris Gioia, +1-212-922-2517,
cgioia@unicefusa.org, or Kini Schoop, +1-212-880-9132,
kschoop@unicefusa.org, both of U.S. Fund for UNICEF
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