CONCURRENT SESSIONS
A Dynamic Roundtable with Academic Thinkers
Led by Kevin Corcoran, Strategy Director of the Lumina Foundation, this session promises an open and stimulating exchange of ideas around the evolving landscape of journalism education and strategies for nurturing the next generation of media trailblazers.
Speakers:
- Kevin Corcoran, Strategy Director, Lumina Foundation
- Graciela Mochkofsky, Dean, Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, CUNY
- David Boardman, Dean of the Lew Klein College of Media and Communications, Temple University
Reporting from Conflict Zones: Ensuring Journalists’ Safety During the War in Gaza
In this breakout session, we’ll navigate the complex landscape of journalism amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Delve into the unique challenges faced by journalists on the frontlines and uncover the critical support systems they need to continue their essential work. From navigating dangerous situations to securing adequate resources, we’ll explore the multifaceted aspects of safeguarding journalists in high-risk environments. This session offers a platform to discuss actionable strategies for funders and stakeholders to bolster the safety and well-being of journalists and preserving press freedom and truth in conflict zones.
Speakers:
- Amna Nawaz, co-anchor, PBS NewsHour, moderator
- Elisa Lees Muñoz, Executive Director, International Women’s Media Foundation
- Jodie Ginsberg, CEO, Committee to Protect Journalists
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Breaking Barriers: Media Strategies for Prison Rehabilitation & Empowerment
This session will explore the transformative power of media in reshaping the landscape of prison reform. We’ll look at a few innovative initiatives that are not just redefining rehabilitation; they’re fostering empathy, understanding, and positive change within the correctional system:
- The Information Equity Initiative (IEI) is breaking down barriers to information within correctional facilities by revolutionizing the way incarcerated individuals access knowledge and resources. IEI addresses critical aspects of well-being and re-entry readiness by allowing local educators and mental health professionals to curate digital content for individuals and classrooms via “datacasting” on PBS television spectrum. This highly scalable effort satisfies the safety concerns of wardens and Departments of Corrections, and ensures that incarcerated individuals can benefit from these critical resources, even though they do not have access to the internet.
- The Prison Journalism Project is a groundbreaking initiative focused on empowering incarcerated individuals with the skills and platform to become journalists. Through comprehensive training programs conducted within correctional facilities, the project equips inmates with the tools and knowledge needed to report on their own experiences and those of their peers, and aims to shed light on the realities of life behind bars and advocate for meaningful reform within the criminal justice system.
- “Daughters,” a feature documentary that chronicles the lives of young girls impacted by their fathers’ absence due to mass incarceration. With in-person visitation systematically halted since 2014, families are left to navigate costly video calls, creating barriers to staying connected. Co-Director Angela Patton provides unique access to incarcerated fathers participating in the Date With Dad program, offering fatherhood coaching and essential life skills. Counteracting systemic practices, the program aims to strengthen familial bonds and facilitate successful reintegration into communities post-release.
Speakers:
- Erik Langner, CEO, Information Equity Initiative
- Yukari Kane, Co-founder & CEO, Prison Journalism Project
- Angela Patton, Co-Director, “Daughters”; CEO, Girls for a Change
- Tony Richardson, President, the George Gund Foundation (moderator)
Building Bridges: Israel-Palestine Dialogue in the Age of New Power
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a seemingly intractable web of territorial disputes and geopolitical tensions, might seem an unlikely place to find common ground. Yet, hope flickers in the form of a recent TED Talk conversation between Palestinian peace activist Ali Abu Awwad and Israeli social entrepreneur Ami Dar. Their dialogue explores the essential ingredients for constructing a future where both identities can coexist harmoniously. But the discussion goes beyond the specificities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It sheds light on a broader phenomenon: the rise of “New Power.” Gone are the days when change could only be driven by traditional hierarchies. Today, individuals like Abu Awwad and Dar wield the power to spark meaningful discussions, bypassing the limitations of established structures. Social media and media platforms such as TED serve as a megaphone for these voices, amplifying their message and extending their reach to a global audience. Join us for this thought-provoking session and see how social media and platforms such as TED empower individuals to bridge divides and work toward a more peaceful future, not just in Israel and Palestine, but across the globe.
Speakers:
- Ali Abu Awwad, world-recognized Palestinian Activist & founding leader of the Taghyeer (Change) Palestinian National Nonviolence Movement
- Ami Dar, Executive Director, Idealist.org
- Amna Nawaz, co-anchor, PBS NewsHour, moderator
