News

US students hold mountain development events

09.04.2014

Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF), a coalition of student clubs at Utah Valley University (UVU) , hosts a number of events in the state of Utah to further the agenda of sustainable mountain development (SMD). 

Among these events was the fourth annual high school essay contest, which was held on 28 March 2014. Called “Family Farming in Mountain Communities,” this year’s contest was dedicated to the International Year of Family Farming. Brayten Torsak from Provo High School won first prize with his essay, which made a strong argument about easing world hunger through small family-based urban gardens. Miranda Fisher from Copper Hills High School and Melody Hatcher from Salem Hills High School came in second and third, respectively. In addition to receiving monetary prizes, the three winners will have their essays published in the second volume of the newly created journal for students research papers “Youth and the Mountains.” The event was co-sponsored by Utah Valley University (UVU) and City of Orem . Each high school essay contest aims to raise awareness, in importance of contribution, of the sustainable mountain development (SMD) agenda among the youth in the state of Utah and to prepare them as future leaders in SMD advocacy. (Read more http://utahimf.org/uimf-hosts-utah-high-school-essay-contest-on-family-farming/)   

UIMF hosted Dr. Roger Kangas, Academic Dean and Professor of Central Asian studies, from National Defense University, Washington, DC, on 25-28 February 2014. In addition to learning protocol, handling logistics and other professional skills during his visit, UIMF also facilitated a dialogue about future cooperation between UVU and NDU with a focus on SMD in Central Asia, the Ferghana Valley, in particular. (Read more http://utahimf.org/dr-roger-kangas-on-post-2014-afghanistan/)     

As a part of Engagement Week at UVU, UIMF members made presentations before faculty and students on 24 March 2014. They reported on their  SMD advocacy activities and achievements in 2013 and announced future plans. As a part of the plans for 2014, members of the coalition invited all interested faculty and students to contribute to the agenda of the fourth International Women of the Mountains conference to be co-hosted by UVU on 7-9 October 2015 in Orem, Utah. (Read more http://utahimf.org/sustainable-mountain-development-promotion-by-uimf-during-2013/)