Ms. Stamatopoulou spoke to the assembly, encouraging all in attendance to take action to make “words into deeds,” thereby focusing on the Day’s theme. Her address dealt with empowerment and commitment and she led everyone is a pledge to fight racism. It was the pledge issued by Mary Robinson, High Commissioner for Human Rights on the anniversary of the International Day for the Mobilization against Racism. The pledge stated:

“As a young citizen of the world community, I stand with the United Nations against racism, discrimination and intolerance of any kind. Throughout my life I will try to promote equality, justice and dignity among al people in my home, my community and everywhere in the world”.

After her inspiring address, the students dispersed to various classrooms for small discussions on topics such as: Gender Issues, Xenophobia, Religion, Prejudicial Attitudes, Child Labour, Education, Health/HIV-AIDS, Sustainable Development & Discrimination, Refugees & Internally Displaced Persons, Ethnic & Racial Intolerance, Minority Rights and the Role of the Media.

In the small groups, facilitators encouraged the students to discuss the issue in depth, but also, and most importantly, to focus on what they can do to improve the problems surrounding their topic.

The Afternoon Plenary proved to be greatly successful as a follow-up to the morning’s group discussions. Students from each group presented a brief summary of their discussions, and reported the suggestions their group found on what they can do to help concerning the issue. Many of the small group representatives spoke about their issues and what they were planning to do in their schools to change the negative impacts of their issues. The representatives from Gender Issues A uniquely described the differences in the lives of the fictitious Miss America and Miss Afghanistan. Their suggestion was to encourage awareness.  The representatives from Child Labour B suggested awareness, fundraisers for UNICEF, boycotts of products made by child labourers, and addressed the power of voters. Overall, the afternoon was informative and inspirational.

Finally, Mr. Rick Grier-Reynolds gave the closing remarks to the group saying that all of the students in the Arena could be heroes. He encouraged them to do something, to make a difference and therefore, find that inner hero. The day ended on a note of encouragement and enlightenment.

Greater Philadelphia Student Declaration 2001

Schools in Attendance were: 

Archbishop Carroll HS, Radnor, PA, Akiba Hebrew Academy, Merion Station, PA, Cardinal Dougherty HS, Philadelphia, PA, Chestnut Hill Academy, Philadelphia, PA, Eastern HS, Voorhees, NJ, Franklin Learning Center, Philadelphia, PA, Friends Central HS, Philadelphia, PA, Furness HS, Philadelphia, PA, George School, Newtown, PA, GallowayTwp MS, Absecon, NJ, Harriton HS, Rosemont, PA, LaSalle College HS, Wyndmoor, PA, Lower Merion HS, Ardmore, PA, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Flourtown, PA, North Penn HS, Lansdale, PA, Penn Charter School, Philadelphia, PA, Ridley HS, Folsom, PA, Sterling HS, Somerdale, NJ, St. Lawrence School, Lindenwald, NJ, Upper Dublin HS, Fort Washington, PA, and Wilmington Friends School, Wilmington, DE