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Hollywood, Health & Society Director Sandra de Castro Buffington moderated a panel discussion titled "How Youth Drive Change" at the 7th annual UNESCO Youth Forum, held Oct. 17-20 at the organization's headquarters in Paris. Despite their critical roles in the Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street movements, young people rarely see themselves reflected in TV and movie storylines as heroes, social activists and vital contributors to the shaping of a collective future. This year’s Youth Forum presented a lineup of speakers that included Forest Whitaker, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and an Academy Award-winning actor; anti-violence activist César López; and Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho.

Sandra de Castro Buffington, director of Hollywood, Health & Society, presented “Obesity Storylines Go Primetime: Working with Hollywood’s Writers to Tackle Obesity in TV, Film and New Media” at the Child Obesity: A Call to Action summit. Dozens of health, government and USC officials—including Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard and Diane E. Watson, and Audrey Rowe, deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture—and guests all came together to discuss research, community intervention and the need for legislation.

Sandra de Castro Buffington, director of Hollywood, Health & Society, presented “The Media and the Message: Sexual Violence Storylines on Primetime TV” at the National Sexual Assault Conference. Professionals from rape crisis centers, survivors, coalitions, prevention programs, law enforcement and the military participated in the conference, which featured more than 80 workshops and a strong focus on technology and social media.