This unusual and exciting event will be held at Abravanel Hall in downtown Salt Lake City. Our keynote speaker, Gary Knell, will use film, stories and his own experiences to illustrate Sesame’s unique approach to “Muppet Diplomacy” – developing international co-productions that bring together local educators, researchers, artists and producers to create culturally specific programming that reflect local languages, customs and educational needs.
| Watch well over your seed-things and children. Speak wisely to them, our new children! Henceforth they shall be your first speakers And the peacemaking shields of your people. Author Unknown |
As a perfect companion to Mr. Knell’s dynamic presentation style, the widely acclaimed International Children’s Choir will also perform. The evening has been designed to inspire awareness of the very real possibility of peace here and now, not just in the future.
The Evening of Conscience is a bi-annual event sponsored by the University of Utah College of Humanities. Now in its 7th year, the event raises awareness of critical issues of justice and human rights. Previous keynote speakers have included Sebastian Salgado, Terry Tempest Williams, Dr. Jane Goodall, and others.
Ticket proceeds will be directed to the Community Scholarships for Diversity Fund. This unique fund, which provides four-year scholarships for first generation students at the University of Utah, has experienced unprecedented success, graduating close to 98% of all student recipients. More than half of these students funded have gone on to graduate or professional school after completing their undergraduate degrees.
Mr. Knell will be accompanied on his visit to Salt Lake City by Charlotte Cole, Vice President for International Education, Research and Outreach for Sesame Workshop. As a follow up to the Evening of Conscience, Ms. Cole will facilitate a series of workshops focused on the process of developing interactive, culturally specific and powerful media curriculum. These workshops, organized and hosted by the University of Utah College of Education, will engage teachers working in the public school system in Utah, as well as students in the College of Humanities and College of Education.
