Release

UAlbany Chapter of Americans for Informed Democracy Awarded National Recognition

Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

ALBANY, N.Y. (August 1, 2006) -- Charlie Albanetti, president of the University at Albany Chapter of Americans for Informed Democracy (AID) received an Outstanding Student Leader Award from the national chapter of AID for organizing superior town hall events in 2006 on U.S.-Asian Relations, the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Darfur, among other events. Americans for Informed Democracy is a non-partisan organization working to raise awareness and generate dialogue on social and political issues of global importance.

"Our Chapter's receipt of this national recognition shows that the UAlbany AID is a leader in confronting important global issues," said Albanetti. "It also serves as a reminder that our world-class student body is eager to become more informed about those issues with a goal of affecting positive change."

In 2006, more than 75 different AID chapters from across the United States hosted events to raise global awareness on their campuses, bringing together more than 7,500 students for videoconference dialogues, town hall meetings, documentary screenings, and young global leaders summits on issues from the global environment to immigration with chapters hosting videoconferences with Tanzania, Ghana, Ecuador, Bolivia, Benin, and Honduras. Alongside its general programming, AID also hosted leadership summits on the International Criminal Court (ICC), sustainable international development, fighting global AIDS, and strategies for bringing the world home. These summits brought together more than 750 young leaders for in-depth conversations of global issues and skill-building workshops, including strategies for talking about global issues and techniques for organizing town hall meetings on America's role in the world.

For more information visit National AID, or visit the UAlbany chapter.