Dr. Ibram X. Kendi to Join Global Environmental Education Professionals to Inspire Change and Address Racism

Date

September 14, 2020

The North American Association for Environmental Education’s Virtual Conference and Research Symposium Aim to Build a Movement Where Everyone Can Belong, Contribute, and Thrive

[Washington, D.C., September 14, 2020] Registration is now open for the North American Association for Environmental Education’s (NAAEE) 49th Annual Conference and 17th Research Symposium, the largest gathering of formal and nonformal environmental educators in the world. All events, including additional workshops and networking opportunities, will be held online over two weeks between October 5 and 16. The virtual format and greatly reduced registration costs will allow broader participation and more ways to collaborate than ever before.

This year, the environmental education (EE) field has an unprecedented opportunity to inspire change and address systemic racism. The conference will promote systems thinking and serve as an opportunity to reimagine how our work in EE can help create a just and sustainable world. From those just entering the field to seasoned EE professionals, this conference will bring together educators, researchers, thought leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, funders, and more to discuss effective practices to advance environmental literacy and civic engagement, promote critical thinking, support equitable and safe access to the outdoors, and create opportunities for cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

Dr. Ibram Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist and one of America’s foremost historians, will kick off the conference. He will be joined by an exceptional lineup of conference keynote speakers focusing on addressing racism and promoting civic engagement, including Dr. J. Drew Lanham, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Audrey Peterman, Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, and more. Research Symposium keynotes will include “EE Pedagogy That Inspires Change” with Dr. Corey Knox, Dr. Fikile Nxumalo, and Dr. Alexa Schindel; “COVID-19 and a Pedagogy of Eco-Solidarity,” with Dr. Alberto Arenas; and more.

With almost 400 sessions, live and pre-recorded, attendees will dig into a multitude of issues arising out of the global pandemic, systemic racism, accelerating climate change and other environmental threats, and the need to build more resilient and civically engaged communities. The conference will provide a unique chance to reframe the role of environmental education in addressing today’s major concerns.

“In this unprecedented year, our Annual Conference and Research Symposium will be more important than ever for the future of our field and our communities,” says Judy Braus, Executive Director at NAAEE. “We look forward to seeing everyone online as we work together, across sectors and the world, to dismantle racism and inspire commitment and action towards creating healthier communities for all.”

To learn more and register, visit: conference.naaee.org

Additional details:

Events will include two weeks of compelling plenary speakers, nearly 400 concurrent and on-demand sessions, and a host of networking opportunities, affinity group meetings, and more. Scholarships are available to anyone needing financial help. View the registration brochure and conference website for more information.

49th Annual Conference: October 13–16
17th Annual Research Symposium: October 8–10
Workshops and Networking: October 5–13

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About NAAEE

For almost five decades, the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) has served as the professional association, champion, and backbone organization for the field of environmental education (EE), working with EE professionals across United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as globally, to advance environmental literacy and civic engagement to create a more equitable and sustainable future. For more information on NAAEE, visit https://naaee.org.