International videoconference to highlight global environment issues

International videoconference to highlight global environment issues

by Jon Schroeder
The Lariat (Baylor University)
April 20, 2007

By JON SCHROEDER Staff writer Environmentally conscious students probably have conversations about the environment on a regular basis. But with the help of a couple of Baylor students, now they'll be able to speak with students from across the globe.

The Global Environment International Videoconference will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. today in 303 Cashion Academic Building. The highlight of the event is interaction between Baylor students and other concerned students and citizens in Ecuador, Uganda and Honduras -- through live video broadcasts from each site, the groups will be able to speak to one another face to face.

Carmen Branscum, a first-year graduate student from Oklahoma City, and Tihara Vargas, a second-year graduate student from Coamo, Puerto Rico, are heading up the videoconference call.

"They can see us through the cameras in our room; we can see them as well," said Branscum, who has helped lead similar conferences before.

Branscum said the experience is a jolting one -- the first time she participated in a videoconference, she said she walked away thinking, "Dang, I just talked to someone in Kenya."

Americans for Informed Democracy (AID), the nonpartisan group helping put on the event, provides things such as tape for putting up fliers and technological know-how.

What AID does not provide is motivated students to make these global videoconferences happen.

But several Baylor student groups and outside groups, including the National Association of Social Workers, the Social Work Honor Society and World Hunger Farm, are coming together to make the event a reality.

The main topic is the global environment and creating a sustainable global environment, Branscum said. Oil dependence, global warming, hunger and poverty issues and sustainable living methods likely will be some of the specific topics brought up.

"(Interacting with people from other countries) puts a human face on environmental issues," she said.

She added that some people feel intimidated speaking with people from other countries about global issues, but everyone has an opinion to share.

Environmental studies chairwoman Dr. Susan Bratton said other countries have unique perspectives to share with Americans.

"I think that some other countries, particularly European countries, have a better rein on environmental issues than (Americans) do," she said.

She added that American students may not have a "full perspective" on how the U.S. is viewed internationally.

"I think they see that we're contributing a great deal to science and technology, but we're very hesitant to form agreements that might make some sacrifice for us," she said.

Vargas, a member of the National Association of Social Workers, said the goal of the videoconference is to "empower students to realize our role in conserving the environment."

To do something about America's negative effect on the environment, she said, the first step is to get informed.

"When you're informed you can make decisions that are good for yourself and good for your environment," Vargas said. "College education is about broadening your world experience. This event gives you the chance to do that firsthand, face to face."

The Global Environment International Videoconference is free and open to the public.