The Greenwich Diversity Planning Committee, in partnership with the First Selectman’s Youth Commission, will host the Greenwich Student Diversity Leadership Conference: Bridging Conversations and Building Campus Communities. The program will take place on Saturday, Feb. 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Greenwich Academy.
Up to 100 students from all high schools in the Town of Greenwich will participate in a day of conversation and collaboration on issues that personally impact their lives. Lunch will be provided by Garden Catering.
The conference was motivated by the First Selectman’s Diversity Committee’s commitment to encourage Greenwich youth to engage in conversations involving diversity and inclusion.
The Committee connected with the First Selectman’s Youth Commission and developed a partnership with Charlie Ciporin, a Brunswick student and a Chair of the Youth Commission. Charlie has a great deal of experience in diversity work. His previous engagement with diversity conferences inspired him to organize a town-wide event.
The Greenwich Student Diversity Leadership Conference (GSDLC) will be framed around intersectionality, a concept that has become increasingly more significant in conversations about equity and social justice. Students will have the opportunity to participate in activities and discussions focused on eight core identifiers – race, religion, sexuality, ability, socio-economic status, age, gender, and nationality – and how these identifiers intersect in different ways for individuals.
Members of the Diversity Planning Committee include student and faculty leaders in diversity at several Greenwich schools. Most diversity conferences are only available to independent schools and include a registration fee. Members of the Planning Committee believed that it was essential to invite Greenwich High School and ensure that the program was free to all participants.
To learn more about the First Selectman’s Youth Commission, visit greenwichct.gov
