A conversation with and for organizers, social entrepreneurs and advocates about
Strategies for Social Change
Monday, March 15
7-9 PM
John Hay Library – Lownes Room

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Swearer Center for Public Service, Taubman Center for Public Policy Careers in the Common Good, Social Justice Network and UCAAP

Almost all students come to Brown with tremendous idealism and a desire to change the world. Current students may have limited understanding about the strategies, tactics and skills that are required to create effective social change. Many have had no exposure to people who do this work as a career or the life paths they have pursued. Therefore, in an effort to put some muscle to this student idealism, the Swearer Center is working to bring together students, alumni and community practitioners in conversation to discuss pathways to effective and sustained activism.

Brown has a proud legacy of educating students who engage in community organizing, advocacy and social innovation as undergraduates, and who continue this work in their lives and careers beyond Brown. This work has certainly been part of the legacy of the Swearer Center and reflects our mission to address inequalities in our society and communities; create, share, and apply knowledge for the public good; and educate and prepare students for lives of effective action.

Beyond the Swearer Center other Brown entities are also invested in this work. In the academic sphere classes are offered in Public Policy, Urban Studies, Political Science, Sociology and Engineering that relate to community organizing and social entrepreneurship. The John Hay Library has established a community organizing archive that has already attracted the papers of alumni and other community organizing initiates to serve as a resource for scholars and others interested in social change. And in the advising realm, both the Curricular Resource Center and Career Development Center are expanding programs that introduce students to the worlds of community organizing and social innovation.

We are pleased that all these stakeholders have come together for this March 15 program. We hope you will accept this invitation to participate in what promises to be a lively and informative conversation. If you are able to attend, please contact Alan Flam , 401 863-3638