[KS] FW: Project Bridge 2000

[Alina Oh]

PRESS RELEASE									
April 6, 2000
CONTACT: SUZANNE LIM (212) 759-7525 x28


PROJECT BRIDGE 2000 INVITES APPLICATIONS
a year-long intercultural youth leadership program

The Korea Society will work with 16 students and 4 group leaders from the 
New York City (8 students) and Los Angeles, CA (8 students) areas to work 
towards building relations and understanding between Americans of diverse 
ethnic backgrounds The students will participate in a year-long program of 
intercultural youth leadership activities -- including a trip to Korea -- 
from April 16 - 28, 2001.

Project Bridge is one of The Korea Society's Intercultural Outreach 
initiatives, formed by the Society in the wake of the Los Angeles riots of 
1992 to focus on building greater understanding and cooperation between the 
African and Korean American communities. In the intervening years, the 
program has evolved and the focus has expanded to explore the nature and 
meaning of diversity in contemporary American life -- its varied cultural 
heritages and identities -- with a special focus on the relevance and 
implications of the Korean American experience and its relationships with 
others. Project Bridge has worked with over 125 high school students over 
the last five years, building future leaders and bridging gaps of cultural 
misunderstanding. This program was inaugurated in 1993 and developed with 
the support of a five-year grant (1994-1999) from the Federation of Korean 
Industries.

Project Bridge 2000 seeks to:
.	develop and increase leadership skills and capabilities of talented, 
academically able urban youth
.	build awareness, understanding and positive relations between Americans 
of diverse ethnic backgrounds
.	foster individual growth through exposure to new ideas, insights and 
cross-cultural experiences
.	enhance sensitivity to, and respect for, cultural differences and 
similarities
.	educate about Korea through first hand experience

Project Bridge 2000 activities will include:
.	a two-week educational study tour of Korea; all expenses paid trip, 
except for the cost to the participant of obtaining a passport (and/or 
visas) and personal spending money
.	after school orientation sessions on Korea's history, culture and 
language
.	workshops on the Korean, Latino and African American communities
.	participation in a forum on race relations in America
.	a weekend retreat on multicultural youth leadership issues
.	field trips to sights of historical and cultural significance
.	involvement with community service organizations

Adults interested in promoting intercultural relations and who enjoy 
working with teens are urged to apply by forwarding a cover letter and 
resume for one of the 4 available positions (2 for NYC; 2 for LA).

Application deadline:
. May 1, 2000 (students)	
. April 24, 2000 (adult group leaders)

To obtain an application packet of for further information, contact:
. Suzanne Lim - NY at 212-759-7525 ext 28 or suzanne.ny at koreasociety.org
. Jackie Lee - LA at 818-227-6620 or jackielee at cbolcorp.com

To download it off the web:
. www.koreasociety.org/events.html

To read a first hand account by a Project Bridge Alumnus:
. http://projectbridge99.homepage.com

Suzanne C. Lim
212.759.7525 x28
suzanne.ny at koreasociety.org



%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%