Michael sends along this announcement…

Why this event? It’s a preview of a daylong symposium, “Water Wise,” taking place the next day for all 8th graders at Renfroe Middle School and all 9th graders at Decatur High. Two dozen speakers will hold sessions throughout the day.

The Decatur community is invited to a FREE 90-minute event dedicated entirely to WATER next Monday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at DHS Performing Arts Center. Highlights:

The 20-minute documentary “Carbon for Water,” which explores the water crisis (and an inventive solution) in the Western Province of Kenya, will be screened.

Filmmakers Evan Abramson and Carmen Elsa Lopez, who produced the documentary, will talk about their experience creating the film.

Experts from five organizations working on water issues around the world will deliver 5-minute mini-lectures, similar to “TED” talks. They are:

• “From Nature to Your Tap: Water in Atlanta” Dr. Ethell Vereen, Jr. • Emory University
• “Waging War Against the Insidious Guinea Worm” Dr. Ernesto Ruiz-Tiben • The Carter Center
•  “Creating Champions of Water Protection” Erin Villines • The Nature Conservancy
• “Conservation of Water and Energy: One College’s Story” Dr. John F. Pilger • Agnes Scott College
•  “Blinding Trachoma and Other Water-Borne Diseases” Stephanie Ogden • Task Force for Global Health

The event is open to the public and is free, but reservations are encouraged. Email Gail Rothman (Gail@DecaturEducationFoundation.org) to RSVP.

The Decatur Education Foundation and City Schools of Decatur developed the symposium. They partnered with: The Carter Center, The Nature Conservancy, Task Force for Global Health, Agnes Scott College, Emory Global Health Institute and Emory Center for Global Safe

Water.