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University Communications

MTV'S Dr. Drew to Headline Youth Leadership Conference at University of Richmond

September 18, 2001

MTV's Dr. Drew Pinsky will headline a two-day youth leadership conference at the University of Richmond Oct. 19-20.

The university's Jepson School of Leadership Studies is sponsoring the inaugural conference, called YouthLead 2001. It is open to middle and high school students and adults who work with youth.

Pinsky, the Dr. Ruth of Generations X, Y and younger, is a beacon of advice on sex, drugs and making responsible choices. He will speak on "Real Life, Real Choices."

Also on the program will be Liz Murray, who went from being "Homeless to Harvard," and Dan Roberts, University of Richmond professor and host of the public radio program "A Moment in Time."

Two Oct. 19 sessions will include interactive workshops for middle and high school students and begin after school is over for the day. One will focus on diversity and respect for others and be led by Anti-Defamation League representatives. Another will cover community service. Both are sponsored by the MTV "Fight for Your Rights" project.

Saturday sessions will discuss youth and philanthropy, community service and leadership, diversity, voting and civic responsibility, school-based programs and creating successful boards involving youth.

The conference grew from a May 2000 Summit on Youth Leadership at the university that brought together executive directors of agencies and youth-service organizations. Organized by the Jepson School, Leadership Metro Richmond, The Children's Museum of Richmond and Youth Matters, the summit's findings included a vision that metro Richmond would become a national leader in youth leadership development by 2010.

"Adults don't listen to young people enough, and scholars and practitioners don't talk enough about best practices in teaching leadership, followership and stewardship to young people," said Sue Robinson Sain, YouthLead 2001 conference director. "We're mixing middle and high school students and college students, and mixing professors with police officers, program executives, K-12 teachers and parents for a new kind of educational experience."

Registration is $235 for adults and youth 16 and up and $60 for youth 15 and under.
Financial aid is available for attendees under 18. Deadline is Sept. 20. Registration forms, scholarship applications and more details are at www.richmond.edu/academics/leadership/youthlead.