CONFERENCE FOCUS
This is a historic year for the Jubilee USA Network. Following an overwhelmingly successful “Sabbath Year” and “Cancel Debt Fast” campaign in 2007, we are very close to passing the most important debt legislation in seven years! The Jubilee Act is a giant step towards our goal of expanding eligibility for 100 percent debt cancellation without harmful economic conditions to 67 impoverished countries in the Global South.
Among the most exciting activities in our efforts to support the Jubilee Act is our third annual grassroots training conference in Columbus, Ohio from June 20-22, 2008. The conference will bring together supporters from Ohio, the surrounding states, and across the country to learn about international economic justice issues and gain organizing and advocacy skills.
The focus of the conference this year is to train and empower leaders from Jubilee local groups, Jubilee congregations, college campuses, and key communities nationwide to help us strategically expand and deepen the Jubilee Network. After the Jubilee Act passes Congress, we still need to ensure that President Bush signs into law and that our next President appoints a Secretary of Treasury who will work with the World Bank and IMF to implement the Jubilee Act. This will take well-organized, strategic action from Jubilee and our network partners.
- A keynote address featuring Nobel peace prize laureate and Argentinean debt campaigner Adolfo Pérez Esquivel (invited).
- Other invited speakers include, Ophelia Dahl of Partners in Health and Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman.
- Panel of local leaders discussing their community response to poverty. This panel will include religious leaders, artists and leaders from local immigrant communities, economists, and student activists.
- African Dance Party. Friday night, after the keynote address, we will have an African dance party that will also be a fundraiser for Jubilee and a partner non-profit working in Africa.
- Education workshops focused on the connection between debt and other critical issues such as immigration, HIV/AIDS, trade and the Millennium Development Goals.
- Skill building workshops, such grassroots media work, fundraising, organizing in faith communities, and legislative advocacy.
- Special training tracks for members of Jubilee congregations or local groups, and for participants from swing states like Ohio and Pennsylvania.
HOW TO SUPPORT THE CONFERENCE: BECOME A CO-SPONSOR
Organizations, congregations, religious communities, universities and individuals can become official co-sponsors of the conference. As a sponsor you have direct access to Jubilee USA Network supporters who believe in a world where right relationships are restored between people in the Global South and North. These supporters aren’t just talking about their beliefs; they’re actively holding their political and faith leaders accountable.
OFFICIAL CONFERENCE SPONSOR: $400 or more
- Inclusion in the list of co-sponsoring organizations in all conference materials
- A literature/display table
- Two waived registration fees
- Participation in the steering group for the conference
CONFERENCE SUPPORTER: $200 level
- Receive a free literature table or 1 waived conference registration fee.
BECOME A SPONSOR
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INFO
Regular Registration
before June 2: $55.00 | after June 1: $65.00
Student/Low-income Registration
before June 2: $35.00 | after June 1: $45.00
*Registration includes breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday.
*Please make your check out to Jubilee USA Network and write “2008 Grassroots Conference” in the memo line of your check.
