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AGENDA FOR THE 21St CENTURY PROJECT The high school graduating class of 2001 enters kindergarten in the fall of 1988. Recent studies have /� shown that young people may have optimistic views of their own futures, but usually have pessimistic views of the national and global future. In fact, for the first time in the history of the United States, the majority of people are forecasting a gloomier life for the upcoming generation than they themselves have had. 'These pessimistic views, wid.aut positive alternatives or avenues for responsible action, can become self :falfill.,g prophesies. Young people, like adults, need an agenda -building framework for looking at what they want in die future, where they are new, and how to develop and use the knowledge, skills and perceptions that can move them from where they are now to where they want to be. Agenda -building is a process that works at the personal, community and global levels. It does not promote a narticular view of the future or a belief that certain issues are more important or specific solutions mots: effective that, others, It is applicable to many personal and professional situations and can be taught to students of all ag-s and in die context of various subject areas. COUNTDOWN 2001's Agenda for the 21st Century Project is an instructional package being devel. oped to provide materials and methods for high school students and educators to address themselves to the major issues that are shaping the next century. It builds upon the recently -released book of inter- views with 22 key thinkers from around the world, entitled Agenda A) Z lsr •ran rv, by Dr. Rushworth M. Kidder of the Chrisrion Science Monitor. The leaders interviewed in the book di_cuss issues such as nuclear annihilation, population, environment, education and morality --giving unique insights into each of these individuals and die. topics that most concern them today and for the years ahead. The project is based on the belief that people, working together, can positively influence the future by their individual rnd collective actions. The instructional package includes several components: • The Educator's Guide contains lesson plans, supplementary materials, and a directory of rescurces. It can be used by teachers in almost any subject area to help students develop a Futures perspective, learn how leaders in different disciplines think about the issues of today and tomorrow, and explore what can be done about them. It provides guidamce for teachers on how to use the book, Agenda for the 21st Century, to develop students' reading, writing and thinking skills. • Videotapes present what some of these same leaders in education, economics, the ans, and other fields believe to be the most impodant issues shaping the 21st century, and what they think citizens and young people can do about them. • Electronic networking opportunities for students and educators are being developed so that students can communicate electronically with each other and with adults about agendas for the 21n century. • Teacher -training workshops will be offered to introduce the instructional package to teachers. --lie Educator's Guide and the other instructional components work together to help students examine die ideas of forward-lookirg thinkers who express their own points of v!cw about the issues that must be resolved if we are to create a better 21st century. Stud: rats analyze, compare, and contrast the views preserved in the book, Agenda for the 21st Century. They determine which issues concern them most, examine what cart be done to resolve them, and explore how they can take responsible action. The package is designed for high school students of all reading and ability levels. The Agenda for the 21st Century Project is being developed by the staff of COUNTDOWN 2001 in conjunction with Dr. Rushworth M. Kidder of the Christian Science dfonifor, and teachers and students around the country. It is being piloted in schools in diverse settings throughout the United States and wili be available for widespread use by the fall of 1988. Grants for die development and piloting of the Educator's Guide have been received from several foundations. auppon is Demg sougnt ter me pnnung anu msmouuon of the taucator's Uuide, and for the video. tapes, the electronic network, and the teacher -training wo kshops. We are also looking for educators who want to pilot the instructional package in their schools. e7 COUNTDOWN 2001, 5635 Utah Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20015 (202) 537.1179