Never has the convergence of higher education and international service been so pronounced.  Volunteer organizations, students, colleges and universities seek new ways to work together responsibly. 

Change infuses Washington as policymakers consider diverse initiatives in a moment of both tremendous financial crisis and renewed hope, from domestic legislation with international elements to international fellowships to initiatives promoting robust increases in resources for study abroad. 

Partners of the Americas, the International Volunteering Project at Brookings, and the Building Bridges Coalition will convene colleges and universities, volunteer organizations, policymakers, students, and international community leaders to engage with each other to forge new partnerships and build a sum greater than its parts. 

 

 

Understand, assess and influence national policies related to service, study abroad and service learning, citizen diplomacy and more.  Engage with key policymakers at a networking reception on Capitol Hill.

 

 

Educational Institutions - Learn about and form partnerships with international and domestic schools and volunteer organizations in anticipation of new public initiatives to promote international student experiences.  Share effective practices with other educational institutions on managing liabilities, ensuring program quality, maintaining academic integrity, and responding to student interests.

Volunteer programming and sending organizations - Learn how to form alliances with educational institutions and gap year programs.  Understand who to contact and how to best respond to higher education structures and needs, while ensuring positive impact in communities abroad. 

Student leaders - Discuss and share experiences with other student leaders and decipher educational bueaucracy to scale up international service efforts, from alt spring break to volunteer internships to service learning and study abroad. 

International community leaders - Share volunteer and service learning opportunities with US institutions.  Explore the benefits of partnering with educational institutions, student groups, and US-based volunteer organizations.  Learn about effective volunteer promotion intitiatives to build local volunteer culture. 


Location: Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel, walking distance to policymakers and Union Station, in the heart of Washington DC. 
Address: 415 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001