Call for Proposals: Latino Communities Conference

Posted by on June 24, 2013

Latino Communities Conference:
Building Bridges/Construyendo Puentes

When:   Thursday October 24, 2013, 8am-5:30pm
Where:  Sykes Student Union, West Chester University

Conference is free and open to the public!
For many community leaders and citizens alike, the official report that Latinos and Latinas are now the largest and fastest growing “minority” in the United States by the U.S. Census was a bit of a wake-up call. What does it mean that “Hispanics” or “Latino/as” now number 16 percent of the U.S. population?  For many, Hispanic presence is nothing new, but for others the growing presence of a new minority, with diverse strengths, skills and needs presents a novel set of social, economic and political phenomena.  In this conference, we seek to learn and engage in discussion about these changes, and how they affect Latino/as and their long-time and new neighbors in southeastern Pennsylvania in particular, and across the nation.

This interdisciplinary conference provides a creative space for enhancing the understanding of Latino/a issues, contributions and culture by encouraging academics, practitioners, teachers, faculty and students alike to present and engage in the discussions and debates on, for and with Latino/a Communities and their neighbors.  Papers, posters, workshops, panels, or presentations welcome.

There are four “tracks” in the conference, with the understanding that some overlap:
1)    Cultural Competencies in  Language, Cultures, History and Humanities
2)    Education and English Language Learning (ELL) Issues
3)    Health and Social Service Issues
4)    Social, Political and Economic Trends, Opportunities and Challenges

Please use the attached Proposal form to submit your proposal to us by Friday July 19, 2013.

On-line Registration for the conference will be available on the WCU Latino Communities Conference website by August 30.  Groups/classes welcome!

ACT 48 credits or CEU credits will be available for Educators and Social Workers for a small fee, if requested in advance.

Luncheon reservations must be made by October 10:  conference lunch cost $10.  for attendees, free for presenters.  Classes welcome – please reserve in advance.  WCU Students may use Ramcards for lunch.  Advance registration requested for estimating space and refreshments.

Deadline Friday July 19, 2013

For questions and to get the proposal application form:
E-Mail or mail: Dr. Linda Stevenson, lstevenson@wcupa.edu 610-436-3162;   FAX: 610-436-3580.
Ruby Jones Hall 106, Political Science, 50 University Ave. West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383