NCDD Conference Coming to Austin

We’re counting down to The National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation Conference here in Austin October 3-5, 2008 at the Renaissance Hotel (Arboretum) with half-day and full-day pre-conference sessions scheduled for October 2. This conference is packed full of opportunities to learn, listen, laugh and lunch. The conference will feature a free Conversation Cafe, a meeting of Geeks Who Dialogue, a Poetry Slam, a panel of leading Conservatives who have embraced dialogue, youth-led events, and an original musical composition created during the conference! Here are some of the featured speakers: David Campt, Race Relations & Diversity Consultant to Congressional Representatives Bill Isaacs, author of Dialogue and the Art of Thinking Together Frances Moore Lappé, author of Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity, & Courage in a World Gone Mad and Carolyn Lukensmeyer, Founder and President of AmericaSpeaks Here’s a sampling of the workshops being offered: How Can We Combat Climate Change with Dialogue and Participation? An International Perspective How Can WE Revitalize Democracy with D&D? What Moves You? Exploring the Spiritual and Moral Roots of Our Dialogue Practice Exploring How our Work in D&D Contributes to Social Change Embedding D&D into Government Systems Fireside Chat on Embedding Citizen’s Voices in Our Governing Systems Coming to the Table: Addressing Racial Reconciliation in America The Power of Poetry to Facilitate Change If you can’t make the full conference, here are a few options: Attend a pre-conference on Thursday, October 2 for only $95 (full day) or $50 (half day). See pre-conference schedule here. Attend the free Conversation Cafe also on Thursday October 2 in the evening. Come at 6:15 to learn how to facilitate a conversation or come at 7:30 to participate. Register for just one day for the rate of $150. Special offer for students!!!! If you are a student or know a student who should attend, don’t let the conference fee get in the way. Bluebonnet Hills is offering $300 scholarships for student registration rate to help you  attend. That means the student only pays $25! If you are a student and want to participate in this conference that will have workshops led by the Rockrose Institute’s Youth Dialogue Project, complete this application online. A very active local planning team led by Diane Miller has been working for almost a year to make sure that this is the best NCDD conference ever and put Austin on the D&D map. Still not sure if this conference is for you? Ask yourself these questions about who you are to find out… If you are an artist, an activist, a trainer, teacher, scholar, student, philosopher, community change agent, political leader, policy-maker, librarian, or just someone who believes that the world works best when we sit down and engage in meaningful dialogue, then you won’t want to miss this opportunity. If you are convinced that there are better ways for us to work on community problems than the traditional debate, vote, mandate, legislate then this conference is for you. If you envision a future in which all people-regardless of income, position, background or education-engage in lively, thoughtful, and challenging discussions about what matters to them, then you will find kindred spirits at this conference. If you would like to meet 350-400 people from around the world who are working on issues like racism, Jewish-Palestinian dialogues, political polarization, gentrification and climate change, they’ll be here in Austin in October. If any of those descriptions sound like you, then register here!