Arts activist Vashti Dubois '83 speaks on "The Art of Social Justice" during the annual Social Justice Leadership Conference Feb. 20 in Usdan University Center. Participants learned how art can play a role in their messaging, organizing, audience development and fundraising.
Lisa Calhoun, administrative assistant in the East Asian Studies Program, speaks on "Planning Social Actions: The Down and Dirty Nitty Gritty Details of Social Movements." Calhoun taught students how to plan small social actions which are the cornerstone of larger social movements. Participants learned how to navigate the stages of a social movement by redefining goals, identify resources, connect with allies in your community, get involved locally, regionally or globally and how to stay involved after college.
Students, staff and faculty are invited to the annual conference. Everyone is encouraged to share ideas.
Jason Irizarry, assistant professor of multicultural education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Connecticut, speaks during a lunch and presentation on "Urban Youth as Scholar Activities." This presentation documented the findings of a school-based participatory action research project that engaged urban youth in the struggle for educational equity and social justice.
Alex Ketchum '12 and other members of Wesleyan's Long Lane Farm presented "Leading the Fight: Local Agriculture and Food Politics at Long Lane Farm. In this session, students discussed food insecurity in Middletown and what the Long Lane Farm has done to address that issue. Ketchum spoke about farm education and ways Long Lane has participated in various educational programs in Middletown surrounding local and organic food production.
The Dwight Hall Student-Run Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) group at Yale University taught the principles of a relatively new investment concept, and explained the set of skills and the analytical framework to pursue this investment strategy for themselves or for an institution. (Photos by Lauren Valentino '10)
More information on the 2010 Social Justice Leadership Conference is online.
Olivia Drake
Mike Mavredakis
Editorial Staff
Sarah Parke