Join virtual, global conversation on Haiti’s future Feb. 19

“The Crisis in Haiti: What can YOU do to help?” will be streamed live beginning at 10 a.m.

On Friday, Feb. 19, the FIU community will participate in a ground-breaking three-hour virtual event, “The Crisis in Haiti: What can YOU do to help?”The live program features presentations from students and scientists around the world via high-speed videoconference. Viewers can access the live web stream from any computer.

Student presentations will range from first graders in Texas singing “Put A Little Love in Your Heart” to a student-created digital video from Taiwan.

In addition, representatives and researchers from global and local organizations such as the Word Food Program will discuss their response to the crisis in Haiti; scientists from the Exploratorium Science Center in San Francisco will explain the geology of Haiti that contributed to the catastrophic event; representatives from Global Nomads will announce a $500,000 challenge grant for students to help rebuild schools in Haiti; among other presentations.

Marilys G. Randolph, an associate professor of physical therapy at FIU and a native of Haiti, will discuss the devastating potential for increased disability and the limited rehabilitation clinics available for the Haitian population. Her presentation begins at 11 a.m.

During the live cast, which starts at 10 a.m., participants can also communicate with students around the globe through social networking sites.

More than half a dozen international organizations, including FIU’s Center for Internet Augmented Research and Assessment (CIARA), are collaborating to present the global discussion on Haiti’s future.

To view the web stream, you must have Real Player installed on your computer (version 8 or higher). For a complete schedule of the program, click here.