Millennium Dreamers Symposium Results
'Get Behind Us,' Kids Implore Adults During Global Children's Summit At Walt Disney World Resort
The Disney Institute Wednesday released results of a worldwide youth poll as part of a global children's symposium at Walt Disney World Resort. News commentator Jack Ford, moderator of the symposium, summed up the poll results as a "message to the adult world...to stop getting in our way."
The poll group of 2,000 youngsters from almost 90 countries was comprised of "Millennium Dreamers Ambassadors" attending a three-day recognition event at Walt Disney World Resort. Millennium Dreamers was presented by McDonald's Corporation, Disney and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
Wednesday at Epcot, the children participated in a Disney Institute symposium, "The Power of One," moderated by Ford, of ABC-TV. "These Millennium Dreamers have set an example," Ford told the audience at the American Adventure auditorium. "Their message to the adult world is clear: Talk to us. Listen to us. Take us seriously. Stop getting in our way and get behind us."
In the poll, the youngsters aged 8 to 15 were asked to define "the biggest challenge you faced in making a difference in your community." The No. 1 response was: "Not taken seriously by adults." It was the top answer among both U.S. youngsters and those from around the world who earned the Millennium Dreamers Ambassador distinction by doing good deeds to positively impact their communities. "They have offered the world a challenge," Ford said. "And now we're about to see if our world is up to that challenge."
Dr. Federico Mayor, former UNESCO Director-General, a member of the European Parliament and one of the symposium adult experts, said, "We must learn to listen before we impose our own answers."
Other poll findings: "Parents" and "guardians" topped the list of those who inspired the young people most, followed by teachers.
When asked for the "Biggest Concerns" about the future, overall top responses included: "War," "Hate," "Violence" and "Pollution."
However, differences surfaced in the concerns of children from the United States vs. children from countries outside the United States. On the question of "War" as a top concern, responses were:
- International children, 31 percent (ranked 1st)
- U.S. children, 9 percent (ranked 4th)
Of all the children polled, respondents' "Biggest Hopes" for the future were: "World Peace," "Respect for One Another," "A Safe, Non-Violent Environment" and a "Clean Environment."
Interestingly, the issue of "World Peace" rated a wide-ranging response from the young Millennium Dreamers Ambassadors as "biggest hope":
- International children, 48 percent (rated 1st).
- U.S. children, 17 percent (rated 2nd)
The symposium panel of adult leaders included such experts as 1999 Teacher of the Year Teri Linder, astronaut Sally Ride, and LeVar Burton, host of the acclaimed PBS children's program "Reading Rainbow."
Earlier in the week, the 2,000 Millennium Dreamers Ambassadors were honored during a ceremony at which actor Christopher Reeve delivered the keynote address. The youngsters have been enjoying the Disney theme parks since Monday and living in a "global village" environment at one of the large Walt Disney World hotels.
Millennium Dreamers Poll Was your achievement inspired by a PERSON or an EVENT? (choose one)
| Overall | International | US | |
| Person | 75% | ||
| Parent or Guardian | 31% | 28% | 33% |
| Teacher | 24% | 29% | 21% |
| Community | 7% | ||
| Relative | 4% | ||
| Friend | 4% | ||
| Spiritual/Religion Leader | 2% | ||
| Hero | 2% | ||
| Government Leader | 1% | ||
| Business | 0% | ||
| Other | 0% | ||
| Event | 25% | ||
| A strong belief | 8% | ||
| Something difficult that happened | 6% | ||
| Something I saw | 5% | ||
| Something I read | 3% | ||
| Something great that happened | 2% | ||
| Something I heard | 0% | ||
| Other | 0% |
What was the biggest challenge you faced in making a difference in your community?
| Overall | International | US | |
| Not taken seriously by adults | 30% | 22% | 35% |
| Lack of money, funds | 25% | 14% | 32% |
| Health | 10% | 16% | 6% |
| Things I saw or heard | 9% | 14% | 5% |
| Lack of education | 8% | 12% | 5% |
| Laws that made the project difficult | 6% | ||
| Lack of resources | 5% | ||
| War/Violence | 4% | ||
| Lack of food, shelter, clean water | 4% |
What is your BIGGEST CONCERN about the future? (choose one)
| Overall | International | US | |
| War | 18% | 31% | 9% |
| Hate | 15% | 5% | 21% |
| Violence | 14% | 6% | 20% |
| Pollution | 13% | 17% | 11% |
| Education | 9% | 15% | 6% |
| Disease | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| Drugs | 7% | 5% | 8% |
| Hunger | 6% | ||
| Poverty | 6% | ||
| Homelessness | 5% | ||
| Other | 0% |
What is your BIGGEST HOPE for the future? (choose one)
| Overall | International | US | |
| World peace | 29% | 48% | 17% |
| Respect for one another | 22% | 10% | 29% |
| Save, non-violent environment | 11% | 9% | 13% |
| Clean environment | 8% | 10% | 8% |
| Everyone has a home | 7% | 3% | 9% |
| Good health | 6% | ||
| Education | 6% | ||
| Resources for everyone | 5% | ||
| Enough food | 3% | ||
| Drug-free environment | 3% | ||
| Other | 0% |
-- Posted May 11, 2000
-- Company Press Release