On September 12-14, OSI-Washington D.C.'s Cooperative Global Engagement Project sponsored the first Student and Youth Summit on US Global Engagement, drawing together leaders of student and youth organizations dedicated to advocacy on U.S. foreign policy. Bringing about change in U.S. foreign policy will require a vibrant and responsive national network, and OSI believes active student participation will significantly strengthen that network. Rockefeller Brothers Fund co-sponsored the summit.
Historically, American students have been powerful actors on the vanguard of social and political change. From the civil rights and anti-apartheid movements to more recent campaigns on the environment and HIV/AIDS, students have helped to shape public opinion and influence U.S. policies. Today, student campaigns are active around issues such as globalization, human rights, trade, health, and the environment.
Participants in the summit, which was held at a conference center outside Pocantico, New York, included Sierra Student Coalition, Student Environmental Action Committee, Student Global AIDS Campaign, Student PUGWASH USA, and United Students for Fair Trade. The summit began to build bridges between advocacy groups working on different issues with international dimensions, and laid the foundation for a more integrated network of student-based campaigns that advocate for a more just and multilateral approach to U.S. leadership in the world.
For more information about the summit, contact Will Prichard of Global Justice at will@fightglobalaids.org.