Journalism professor to lead sustainability symposium in D.C.
LAWRENCE — Simran Sethi, associate professor of journalism at the University of Kansas, will moderate the kickoff plenary session panel during the GreenGov 2011 Symposium in Washington, D.C. The symposium will be Oct. 31-Nov. 2 at the Washington Hilton.
“I am honored to help kick off the White House’s second sustainable symposium. The role of government in advancing efforts to foster economic opportunity and healthy environments for all people is paramount,” Sethi said. “Sustainability efforts from agencies ranging from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Department of Defense reflect the bipartisan goal of a prosperous and healthy future for all Americans.”
The symposium brings together leaders from academia, nonprofits, the private sector and the government to identify opportunities to create jobs and focus on growing clean energy industries.
Sethi will moderate a panel that includes Philippe Cousteau Jr., explorer, social entrepreneur and environmental advocate; Will Byrne, co-founder and executive director of The DC Project; Tarak Shah, special assistant to the assistant Secretary of Defense for operational energy; Ashok Kamal, co-founder and CEO of Bennu, a social media marketing company; and Chiara Camponeschi, social entrepreneur and researcher.
Sethi is teaching a diversity in media course at KU this fall. She recently received the National Education Association Foundation’s Challenge to Innovate Award for her mobile innovations in the classroom and was also nominated for a Rome Prize The UK’s Independent recently named Sethi one of the top 10 eco-heroes of the planet for her work in highlighting local environmental justice efforts and grassroots activism. She is also writer and host of Sundance Channel’s environmental programming “The Green” and created the series “The Good Fight.”
“We are very proud that associate professor Sethi is moderating this distinguished panel. Once again, KU is at the forefront of national and international issues,” said Tom Volek, associate journalism dean.
For more information on Sethi, visit the School of Journalism online. For more information on GreenGov 2011, visit the symposium site.