Spring Break
Learning To Change The World
Conference To Train Students To Overcome Barriers
James White
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: News
The Student Activism Conference, sponsored by Idealists United, UConn's Community Outreach Center and the UConn Free Press, is set to take place Saturday at 10 a.m, in the Dodd Center.
According to Ashley Widfeldt, president of Idealists United, the purpose of the event is to "train students in the types of skills that will allow them to overcome barriers to progress."
"We're going to let them choose their own message," she said, "and give them the tools to be heard."
The event will have many individually run workshops, focused on educating students about how to talk about controversial issues, working with politicians and building social momentum, according a flyer distributed by Idealists United.
Widfeldt, an 8th-semester student with a double major in journalism and communication sciences, said that many of the workshops will be focused on peer networking - taking advantage of sophisticated social groups already in place among students.
Among the workshops set to take place is a presentation on "Getting the Media On Your Side," hosted by Melissa Bruen, editor-in-chief of The Daily Campus, and a "Direct Action Campaign" workshop led by Elizabeth Cracco, coordinator of UConn's Violence Against Women Prevention program. Widfelt explained that a direct action campaign is, in essence, "actually getting out there and doing something" - bringing a message to a source in ways such as a protest or march.
Further, Julie Elkins from UConn's Student Affairs Office, will speak about how activism has changed from the heady days of the 1960s. According to Widfelt, Elkins plans to discuss why many people today interested in social change shy away from the term "activist" and how campaigning for change is different today.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the event, scheduled to end around 7 p.m.
Widfeldt said she wants the conference to provide students with "a better understanding of the groups around them and how they can make a difference."
At the same time, she added, "hopefully they can have fun too.
Contact James White at
James.White@UConn.edu.
According to Ashley Widfeldt, president of Idealists United, the purpose of the event is to "train students in the types of skills that will allow them to overcome barriers to progress."
"We're going to let them choose their own message," she said, "and give them the tools to be heard."
The event will have many individually run workshops, focused on educating students about how to talk about controversial issues, working with politicians and building social momentum, according a flyer distributed by Idealists United.
Widfeldt, an 8th-semester student with a double major in journalism and communication sciences, said that many of the workshops will be focused on peer networking - taking advantage of sophisticated social groups already in place among students.
Among the workshops set to take place is a presentation on "Getting the Media On Your Side," hosted by Melissa Bruen, editor-in-chief of The Daily Campus, and a "Direct Action Campaign" workshop led by Elizabeth Cracco, coordinator of UConn's Violence Against Women Prevention program. Widfelt explained that a direct action campaign is, in essence, "actually getting out there and doing something" - bringing a message to a source in ways such as a protest or march.
Further, Julie Elkins from UConn's Student Affairs Office, will speak about how activism has changed from the heady days of the 1960s. According to Widfelt, Elkins plans to discuss why many people today interested in social change shy away from the term "activist" and how campaigning for change is different today.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the event, scheduled to end around 7 p.m.
Widfeldt said she wants the conference to provide students with "a better understanding of the groups around them and how they can make a difference."
At the same time, she added, "hopefully they can have fun too.
Contact James White at
James.White@UConn.edu.
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