Academy for Educational Development

AED Launches “Idea:Exchange” June 17 to Promote Dialogue on Social Issues

—Forum opens with a photo exhibit showcasing work of youth from around the world—

—Photos by D.C. youth document reasons for leaving and returning to school—

Washington, D.C., June 2, 2010—“Idea:Exchange,” AED’s new space dedicated to dialogue, is an effort to explore how the exchange of ideas can create the foundations for powerful social change. The forum aims to stimulate and promote open, deliberative discussions on social and development issues.

AED will inaugurate Idea:Exchange with a thought-provoking photo exhibit titled The Way We See It: Young Photographers Examine, Define and Change their World that incorporates the work of AED, Critical Exposure and Josh Schachter. The exhibit showcases the work of children and youth from D.C. and around the world, who are using photography to reveal their lives, speak out about social issues, and advocate for better public policies.

Photos in the exhibit were taken by D.C. students as an expression of their reasons for leaving and ultimately returning school; by youth in Mali, West Africa who recorded village life; and by refugee and immigrant youth in Tucson, Arizona as a means to highlight critical social issues in their lives and communities. The exhibit will be open June 16 through September 6, Hours TBD.

Related programs will include a lecture series that will take place at the AED Globe Theater from June 16 through July 31. The first lecture on Tuesday, June 22, will be a conversation with the three exhibitors.

Media is invited to attend the opening reception June 17. 

WHO:             AED and youth photographers

WHAT:           Opening celebration of Idea:Exchange and viewing of The Way We See It photography exhibit. Refreshments will be served.

WHEN:           Thursday, June 17, 5:00 PM- 8:00PM

WHERE:        Corner of Connecticut Avenue and T Street

                        1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

For more information visit www.aed.org/ideaexchange 

AED is a nonprofit organization working globally to create enduring solutions to critical problems in health, education, social and economic development.  Collaborating with partners throughout the world, AED develops and implements ideas that change lives through more than 300 programs in the U.S. and more than 150 countries.

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