What 2007 Conference Attendees Said:

An historic four-day event of inspiration, education, empowerment and effective peace action!

• Connect with hundreds of youth and adults committed to creating a more peaceful future
• Increase your understanding of effective peacebuilding, national and international politics, the root causes of violence, and programs that WORK
• Build your skills as a peacebuilder, joining others in being the change we wish to see
• Expand your abilities as "citizen lobbyist" advocating for effective change in our government and communities
• Create or deepen your partnerships with others from your area who are active in peace advocacy
• Bring the kids! Enroll your children in one of our Youth Programs! Learn more....
• Walk the Halls of Congress, meeting with your members of the House and Senate to lobby for a Department of Peace and Nonviolence.

Confirmed Speakers:

• Congressional Host Congressman Dennis Kucinich, primary sponsor of HR-808, the bill to establish a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence. 
• Riane Eisler, social scientist, attorney, social activist and author of the bestseller "The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future" and "The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics." Read Riane's Huffington Post Oped on the economic stimulus package.
• Former Congressman Wayne Gilchrest, the first Republican to support the Department of Peace legislation
• Jan Hartke, Executive Director of EarthVoice, the global environmental arm of The Humane Society
  
• Congressman Mike Honda (CA-15)
• Rita Marie Johnson, founding director of Costa Rica's Rasur Foundation
• Azim Khamisa, Chairman, CEO and Founder of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF)
  
• Ocean Robbins, co-founder of YES! Youth for Environmental Sanity.  Check out this video Ocean helped co-produce.
• Michael Shank, Communications Director for US Congressman Michael Honda (CA-15)
• Rich and Yvonne St. John-Dutra, co-founders of Challenge Day (Check out Rich and Yvonne's two appearances on Oprah! The first, showing their classic Challenge Day, and the second using Challenge Day tools in support of obese youth.)
• Swami Beyondananda the "Cosmic Comic," with his unique brand of "comedy disguised as wisdom and "wisdom disguised as comedy."

Plus 

• Sam Daley-Harris, President and founder of RESULTS
• David Grant, International Strategic Relations Director for Nonviolent PeaceForce
• Ondray Harris, Director of the Community Relations Service (CRS), U.S. Department of Justice
• Lorelei Kelly, National Security Program Director, American Progressive Caucus Policy Foundation. Read Lorelei’s blog on Huffington Post
  
• Steve Killelea, founder of the Global Peace Index
• Bob Koehler, award-winning columnist, Tribune Media Services
  
• Dot Maver, Director of the National Peace Academy project at The Omega Point Institute
• Lynn McMullen, Executive Director, The Peace Alliance
• Mike Robbins , noted speaker and author of "Focus on the Good Stuff "
  
• Lisa Schirch, Program Director for the 3D Security Initiative and a professor of peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University
• Members of Congress (being confirmed; we'll publicize their names as we have them!)
• Other leading experts in programs that WORK to reduce and prevent violence
• Youth and adult grassroots activists with experience and success in organizing, including Jan Atkinson, Christine Elliot, Carol Hillson, Martha Lasley, Colleen Mills, Julia Simon-Mishel, Pam Steager and Aaron Voldman

And

• Music from Peter Bolland   
• "Soldiers of Peace" the movie    
• And more!

Read the speaker bios here.

Please Note: We received word Sunday, March 8 that H.E. Mr. Karim Khalili, one of the two vice presidents of Afghanistan, had to cancel his participation in the conference. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may represent. 

CONFERENCE FEES

• General Registration: $255 - $355 sliding scale;
• Student rate: $100

Those of us who can pay at the higher end make it possible for us to include the broadest cross-section of our population as possible.

At the door, registration fees will increase to $275 - $375 sliding scale for general registration, $120 for students so don't wait!

Help support youth in attending the conference!

When you register, you'll have an opportunity to donate to the Youth Participation Fund. A donation of $100 will allow us to scholarship one youth, $1,000 will bring 10 youth! Even $10 will help us help youth participate. (Note that in the unexpected event that donations exceed need, your funds will be used for general conference expenses.)

Cancellation Policy: A nonrefundable fee of $50 will be applied to all cancellations.

Late Registration Fee: After March 19th and at the door, conference fees increase to $275 - $375 sliding scale for general registration, $120 for student.

At our last national conference, we exceeded capacity and had to turn people away. Don’t miss out on this historic event!

Note: Students under the age of 18 must have the name and contact information of their chaperone to complete registration. No more than eight (8) students per chaperone.