Register for the 2005 PHENND Conference

Posted by on February 4, 2005

2005 Annual PHENND Conference:

Civic Engagement: Beyond Voting and Volunteering

Friday, February 25, 2005
Optional Pre-Conference Dinner Thursday, February 24, 2005
Widener University

Over the past few years, there has been increasing emphasis on the civic development of young people. Campus Compact has moved towards a philosophy of the “engaged campus” reflecting a larger national trend for service and service-learning organizations to focus increasingly on civic engagement in order to bring attention to what many see as the deeper purpose of experiential education and community partnership.

For the 2005 Annual PHENND Conference, we too will ask the questions: What is the relationship between service-learning and the development of long-term civic engagement? What is civic engagement? Volunteering? Voting? Or much more?

We invite you to join us as we ask and answer these questions and many more.

February 25: General Event
Widener University
The day will feature provocative speakers, elective workshops, and other activities designed to facilitate conversation and critical thinking about civic education, civic engagement, service-learning, and community partnership. As an event geared at administrator, faculty, student, and community participants, the day will also be a chance for currently active change agents to reflect and learn from each other. Activities will include a day-long line up of elective workshops, panels, and lunch time address from a keynote speaker.

We are pleased to announce that Jane Eisner, columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and author of the recent book Taking Back the Vote: Getting American Youth Involved in Our Democracy, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s conference.

In particular, the event will delve into the relationship of the work being done on today’s college and university campuses ? by students, staff, and faculty ? and its potential for creating sustainable democratic communities.

February 24: Pre-Conference
Widener University

In addition, we invite 25-30 participants to participate in an intimate discussion and dinner with Dr. James Birge, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Campus Compact. Dr. Birge is author of a forthcoming article entitled, “The Aesthetical Basis for Service-Learning” which argues that for many faculty the decision to integrate community service with teaching reflects more than a desire to improve pedagogy, but also signifies a deeper calling or commitment to lead an “engaged life” of scholarship, practice, and learning. The Pre-conference is intended for service-learning professionals that identify with this “deeper commitment” for a chance to reflect on what that means, how it shapes our work, and its relevance to the larger service-learning movement. Registration for this event is separate.

For more details, including registration visit http://www.upenn.edu/ccp/PHENND/events/2005conf.html