New York, NY, July 12, 2004… Teens from public schools around the five boroughs are working to fight bigotry and racism during their summer vacations.  The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute Task Force made it possible for 15 teens, who were ADL A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute Peer Trainers during the school year, to join ADL’s staff to work to promote diversity and continue their anti-bias educations during their seven week internship, which began July 6.

“ADL has been training teens as peer trainers for a number of years,” said Erin Lee, Assistant Director New York A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute.  “The interns will be able to use the skills they learned as Peer trainers and apply them to real world situations with real outcomes.  They are seeking to change the status quo and make a difference in the fight against hatred, prejudice and bigotry through working with their peers, their families and their communities.”

A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute Peer Trainers take action against prejudice by leading workshops and interactive classroom presentations and facilitating discussions with their peers about the issues that concern them. Their efforts play a key role in creating schools, communities, and organizations where differences are valued and respected.

Since 1992 the A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute Task Force, a diverse group of men and women dedicated to promoting A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE programs, has raised money to provide summer jobs for up to 15 high school Peer Trainers.  Participation in the Summer Intern Program is an opportunity for promising Peer Trainers to supplement their facilitation skills while working throughout ADL.  The interns will attend weekly anti-bias workshops and seminars covering a wide variety of topics, including a visit to the NYPD Hate Crimes Unit, a tour of the United Nations and a seminar on careers in the non-profit sector. Additionally, the participants will attend the annual ADL National Youth Leadership Mission to Washington, D.C. in October, where they will join other teens from around the country to share their experiences as peer leaders and also to learn about the consequences of unchecked prejudice, with a visit and seminar at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

About the Participants
Of the 15 participants, four come from Queens and attend Martin Van Buren High School, four are from Staten Island and attend Staten Island Tech and Susan Wagner High School, four students come from the Bronx and attend Alfred E. Smith and Discovery High Schools, two students come from Brooklyn and attend The School for Legal Studies and Clara Barton High School. One student attends The School of Fashion Industry in Manhattan.

The New York Regional Office Summer Internship Program is made possible by the New York A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute Task Force.  It is the 13th year of the internship program.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.