Call for Papers & Proposals
The Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service (WIPPS), the UW Colleges and UW-Extension and other collaborating organizations invite proposals for the Understanding and Overcoming Poverty in Wisconsin conference, August 6 -7, 2009 at the Westwood Conference Center in Wausau, Wisconsin.
The purposes of the Conference are to understand poverty by addressing what poverty looks like and to uncover solutions for ending poverty in Wisconsin.
Proposals from grassroots advocacy and community-based organizations or individuals with diverse points of view, including those facing poverty, are especially encouraged. A limited number of scholarships will be available to help need-based individuals or groups to attend the conference. Email jean.greenwood@uwc.edu for more information.
Where possible, proposals will be grouped by themes into one of the following tracks:
Community Approaches to Ending Poverty
Explores how citizens and communities can work together to overcome poverty. Presenters and conference participants, both haves and have nots, are invited to share tools, programs, and experiences that foster personal and civic journeys toward ending poverty. How does engaged civic participation, including volunteerism, neighborhood initiatives, religion and other civic processes, address deep challenges such as economic injustice, hyper-individualism, unethical corporate behavior, unregulated markets, and conditions associated with the gap between wealth and poverty?
Education Matters
Examines poverty's effects on education and education's effects on poverty. Sessions may address the following issues: poverty's physiological and learning impacts; disadvantaged families' challenges in preparing preschoolers for quality education; poverty's effects on college access, preparation, and completion; the post-secondary system's obstacles to low income students; research on exemplary programs that serve low income students and alleviate poverty; and the need for and characteristics of quality rural/suburban/urban educators.
Food Insecurity
Focuses on families' economic security and access to affordable and nutritious food, federal nutrition assistance programs, and the emergency food system.
Housing and Shelter
Addresses the growing crisis of homelessness and affordable homeownership; the foreclosure crisis; the reintegration into neighborhoods of people who have been incarcerated; supportive shelters for the chronically homeless and fair standard practices in temporary shelters; and distinct issues in housing for Native Americans and other communities.
The Unbanked and Underbanked: Consumer Choices in Changing Financial Market
Seeks to define the changing financial services markets, examine "underbanked" and "unbanked" consumer behaviors, and consider legal, social, and policy issues that impact consumers and the marketplace.
Workforce Development and Workplace Justice
This track examines problems of under- and un-employment, low wages, and the growing gap between rich and poor that results from income disparity and job loss. Potential solutions such as welfare to work programs, worker training and education, socially responsible business models, green job initiatives, the campaign for a living wage, employment laws, and the role of unions are some of the potential topics to be addressed.
Other pertinent proposal topics will be considered for panel presentation or for possible poster sessions.
Proposals for lectures, workshops, panel discussions, posters, etc., should be made by June 1, 2009 (extended) and include:
- A narrative description of 250 words or less of the paper, presentation, or poster session and its relevance to the conference themes or other topics connected with understanding and overcoming poverty. Group proposals (including complete panels) are also welcome and will receive careful consideration
- A statement of the expertise or experience that the proposing agency, person, or persons bring to the project and organizational relevance where appropriate (a curriculum vitae may be substituted for a statement where appropriate)
- Because the conference seeks to include "voices of poverty," where appropriate we encourage submission of a statement of the way(s) in which voices of poverty are included and/ or incorporated into the paper, panel, presentation, or poster session.
- Proposals should be submitted online at the following website: www.wiscpoverty.org. The Conference Planning Committee will review proposals as they are received and notification of acceptance will be made on a rolling basis.
We are no longer accepting proposal submissions. (Closed as of June 1, 2009.)
Opportunities for sponsoring partners, vending, and agency or group are available. For more information, please contact:
Jean Greenwood
Program Associate
Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service
518 South 7th Avenue
Wausau, WI 54401
715-261-6234
Jean.greenwood@uwc.edu