Shawn Sweeney

Sound Bites from Shawn:
 
I am astounded by the innovative and creative ways that young people are using technology to create change. Indeed, it has helped amplify their voice, grow collaborative communities and show the world, that with the right tools, they can realize their vision for better communities, and a better world.
 
We have all that we need, right at our fingertips, to create an educational system that aligns curricular goals with meaningful service experiences. Especially with all of the tools that we have through the web, and through social media, re-imagining our entire way of thinking about schooling young people is more possible than ever.
 
Fun Facts about Shawn:
  • Shawn enjoys vegan baking.
  • Shawn is originally from Cleveland, Ohio.
  • In middle school Shawn won a cartwheel-a-thon.

Youth Outreach & Engagement

Leading JGI's efforts in youth outreach and engagement, Shawn is responsible for engaging young people in effective community service using digital networking and social media.  He works with young people to help them get the word out about their efforts and achievements, and to connect their efforts with their communities, the entire Roots & Shoots network and around the globe.
 
Shawn’s expertise ranges from youth based communications and social media, to humane education and service learning to program development and education. Shawn enjoys learning about the best ways to train youth and educators in service learning, and how to connect them with their peers.
 
Shawn has worked in youth leadership and community service for over a decade. During this time, Shawn served as president of his Roots & Shoots group at the College of Wooster, and subsequently as a Roots & Shoots Fellow in 2007-2008. Shawn has also conducted research in conservation education at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society), and Zoo Atlanta.
 
Shawn completed a masters of education degree in humane education with the Institute for Humane Education in 2011, and a bachelor of arts degree in animal behavior at the College of Wooster in 2006. For his masters thesis, Shawn developed a course guide for higher education that invites university students to explore the best practices of some of the most effective change-makers of our time, and apply those best practices to a project of their own.
 
Shawn is a United Nations NGO Representative for the Jane Goodall Institute and serves as a co-chair of the UN NGO committee for the International Day of Peace.