Innovations in Student Leadership Conference

Innovations in Student Leadership Conference February 23, 2007 info@onestudentry.org islc.onestudentry.org Register Today

Dear Colleague:

We are writing to inform you about our upcoming conference – the 2008 INNOVATIONS IN STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE – that will be held at The Elliott School of International Affairs on Saturday, February 23, 2008. The event will bring together students, academics, and practitioners from the Washington, DC metropolitan area who are engaged in the fields of international development (ID) and conflict resolution (CR). This conference will provide a forum for the exchange of ideas promoting creative and collaborative approaches to social change. It is being organized in cooperation with non-governmental organizations (NGO's), student organizations, and academic institutions in the D.C. area.

The specific objectives we hope to achieve are to:

• Connect the Washington metropolitan area’s student leaders and groups with each other, practitioners in the fields of ID and CR, and local NGO’s;
• Create the space for student leaders and groups to share the methods used and lessons learned and discuss the challenges faced in their efforts to effect positive change in the ID and CR fields;
• Build and foster best practices for operating as an effective student group or organization; and
• Facilitate the growth of the complementary relationship between the CR and ID communities.

Additionally, this year the conference will introduce a new simulation component to provide a launch point for creative and collaborative conversation. Students will be assigned roles of various actors involved in the simulation conflict. Participating practitioners, academics, and professionals will retain their own, professional roles, and oversee and advise the students in their professional capacities.

As a university of participating students, professors, and student organizations, we hope to engage your support. Given the high concentration of academic programs in conflict resolution and international development in the area, we believe developing a forum for inter-campus communication bonds could be of tremendous benefit to students, faculty, and practitioners alike. We would appreciate your support in helping us to expand our knowledge, learning, and professional development that we have gained in your classrooms.

As an academic institution, we would like to invite you to showcase your programs during the Projects Exhibition portion of the conference. This is a unique opportunity to connect organizations and individuals interested in some of the academic programs that your school offers. All organizations participating in the Projects Exhibition will be given table space to display their advertising materials, outreach materials, etc.

Finally, a number of DC area academic programs and non-profit organizations are helping to co-sponsor the conference and we are seeking additional sponsors. Participating organizations and universities will be recognized at the conference, highlighted in conference products, and emphasized on our website, as appropriate. We would greatly appreciate your financial support for this student-led initiative, as well as advertising and publicity support through your school’s respective offices.

Attached with this letter you will find a copy of the conference agenda. Registration can be completed online at islc.onestudentry.org for all participants and organizations. We ask that attendees kindly submit their registration by February 1, 2008.

Thank you for your time. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Ms. Krista Auchenbach
Conference Coordinator
Conflict Resolution Forum & OneStudentry