Meeting Information:  From birth through adolescence, today's children face a wide range of risks that change as they grow.  The Kids Risk Project focuses on understanding the children's risks recognizing the importance of using good data and analysis.  The symposium presented current research and provided a forum for discussion about pediatric risks. This symposium featured presentations by Kids Risk Project researchers and leaders in business, government, consumer organizations, foundations, and the health community.  The objectives of the symposium included:
1.  Increasing recognition of the critical role of good data and risk analysis in empowering kids, parents, and policy makers to make better choices in managing children’s risks,
2.  Continuing discussions to encourage the development of real partnerships to reduce children's risks, and
3.  Providing a clear message for why we should be very optimistic about the future of our children.

Final Agenda and coverage of the symposium (this is what you missed):

8:30 "Welcome and perspective" - Marie McCormick, MD, ScD, Sumner and Esther Feldberg Professor and Chair of Maternal and Child Health, Harvard School of Public Health

9:00 “Overview of the KidsRisk Project: Empowering kids, parents, and policy makers with information about risk” – Kimberly Thompson, ScD

10:45 “Kids and media ratings: Lessons learned” – Kevin Haninger, PhD

11:15 "Empowerment, choice, and good will" – Robert Zuckerman, photographer and author of Kindsight

12:00 Lunch – “Bringing up GEEKS (Genuine, Enthusiastic, Empowered Kids)” – Marybeth Hicks, Washington Times columnist and author of Bringing up GEEKS

1:30 "Polio and the last 1%: Making an impact through volunteerism" – Keith Harris, Rotary International District 7930 Foundation Chair

2:00 "The essential role of good data and risk analysis in fighting polioviruses" - Mark Pallansch, PhD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2:30 “Eradicating polio and beyond” – Radboud Duintjer Tebbens, PhD

3:20 "Minga: Youth working to end the global sex trade" - Rebecca Kanter and Jackie Assar, Newton South High School, Minga

3:30 “Corporate leadership and improving children's lives: A business perspective on this long-standing commitment" – Michele Courton Brown, Bank of America and author of Just Money: A Critique of Contemporary American Philanthropy

The Kids Risk Project thanks the ExxonMobil Foundation, the Maternal and Child Health Training Program T76M00001, and unrestricted gifts from individuals, companies, and trade associations for support of this symposium.