Social Justice Conference w/ Youth
The conference is a day-long gathering of issue-workshops, determined in advance by a survey of potential student-participants. The workshops, which are provided by people working on the issues in the local community, are very interactive, and focus on practical actions that youth can take as well as increasing their learning about the issue.
The evening before the conference is set aside for an event for Center supporters to affirm the students on the planning committee, and to welcome the keynote speaker(s).
The process of preparing for and following-up on the conference enables the youth (and the adults that work with them) to further integrate social justice learning-and-action into their school/church community and their daily lives.
History
A conference first took place in the St Cloud area in November, 2000, with the support of the Julianne Williams Foundation for Social Justice. Conferences have taken place in each of the following academic years: 2001-2 (December), 2002-3 (February), 2003-4 (November), 2004-5 (October), and 2005-6 (October).
Over 1100 youth in grades 7-12 from 23 schools have participated; and a number of youth-initiated and -led social justice activities have been generated by participants.
In the fall of 2003, the conference began to be planned primarily by a committee of students.
Also in the fall of 2003, Ryan Cox, a teacher of a course on diversity and oppression at Minnewaska Area High School, and his students, with support from the Center, planned a similar conference in the Minnewaska/Alexandria area. The conference took place in January, 2004.
Cost
Students are asked* to pay a registration fee (under $10), and to provide their own lunch. Schools are asked to provide adult mentors/chaperones, and transportation for the students.
* The registration fee is waived for students who are unable to afford it.