Gary E. Knell, president and CEO of the Sesame Workshop, will give a lecture titled "Muppet Diplomacy: How Sesame Street is Working to Change our World" on Monday, Nov. 12, at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel. The Sesame Workshop is a non-profit educational organization that strives to create innovative, engaging content that maximizes the educational power of all media to help children reach their highest potential. Knell will explain how the Sesame Workshop achieves these goals and helps to promote child development. The lecture is free and open to the public and is hosted by the Psychology Department and Dean of Faculty.
The Sesame Workshop recognizes that children learn best when lessons reflect their own experiences. As a result, the organization has developed 20 co-productions of Sesame Street around the world in partnership with local experts who develop educational tools tailored to the needs of children in their own countries.
Knell has made a significant impact in promoting the objectives of the workshop. He has been particularly instrumental in focusing the organization on Sesame Street's global mission, including groundbreaking co-productions in South Africa, Russia, China and Egypt. Knell was able to apply his previous international experience as managing director of Manager Media International, a print and multimedia publishing company based in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. In this capacity he oversaw the development of the monthly business magazine Asia Inc., the daily Asian-based newspaper Asia Times, and several trade publications.
Previously, Knell served as senior vice president and general counsel at WNET/Channel 13 in New York. He also has extensive political experience, working as counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary and Governmental Affairs Committees.
In addition to his work with the Sesame Workshop, Knell is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the board of governors of the National Geographic Education Foundation. He is a board member of AARP Services, Inc., which provides high quality products and services that fulfill the needs and interests of people age 50 and older. Knell is active in NetAid, a UN- founded organization using technology to fight global poverty. In addition, he is a member of Business for Diplomatic Action, an organization that promotes public diplomacy through the private sector. Knell is a frequent spokesperson in the media, appearing on CNN, Fox News, NBC Today Show, NPR and CNBC.
The Sesame Workshop recognizes that children learn best when lessons reflect their own experiences. As a result, the organization has developed 20 co-productions of Sesame Street around the world in partnership with local experts who develop educational tools tailored to the needs of children in their own countries.
Knell has made a significant impact in promoting the objectives of the workshop. He has been particularly instrumental in focusing the organization on Sesame Street's global mission, including groundbreaking co-productions in South Africa, Russia, China and Egypt. Knell was able to apply his previous international experience as managing director of Manager Media International, a print and multimedia publishing company based in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. In this capacity he oversaw the development of the monthly business magazine Asia Inc., the daily Asian-based newspaper Asia Times, and several trade publications.
Previously, Knell served as senior vice president and general counsel at WNET/Channel 13 in New York. He also has extensive political experience, working as counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary and Governmental Affairs Committees.
In addition to his work with the Sesame Workshop, Knell is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the board of governors of the National Geographic Education Foundation. He is a board member of AARP Services, Inc., which provides high quality products and services that fulfill the needs and interests of people age 50 and older. Knell is active in NetAid, a UN- founded organization using technology to fight global poverty. In addition, he is a member of Business for Diplomatic Action, an organization that promotes public diplomacy through the private sector. Knell is a frequent spokesperson in the media, appearing on CNN, Fox News, NBC Today Show, NPR and CNBC.
