2007 Bridge Builders Conference:

A Grassroots Agenda for Change

Conference Mission

To engage bridge builders, students, faculty members, and policy makers in dialogue to establish more informed decision-making in development policy and community organizing.

Conference Objectives

This conference aims to articulate the complexities and tensions inherent in bridge-building. It is a unique opportunity for students, faculty and grassroots leaders. For the former two groups it is a chance to meet and hear the stories of indigenous leaders and answer some of the following questions: How do bridge builders navigate local social networks? In what ways do they negotiate a collective voice within a heterogeneous community? How do they deal with tensions between "bridging" and "brokering"? What are the structural conflicts and personal skills required for bridge-building? When is technology an appropriate bridge-building tool? How do bridge builders balance representation and efficacy? Who elects bridge builders? Moreover, what makes our participants effective bridge builders?

For the grassroots leaders, it is a chance to realize that there are many people like themselves involved in similar struggles around the world. It will create dialogue between bridge builders so they have a better idea of what is going on in other parts of the world thus providing an opportunity to share resources and ideas and gain perspective. It will give bridge builders the chance to tell their stories and to be recognized for their skills and strengths and struggles. The conference aims to validate and empower them. Finally, the conference hopes to provide bridge builders with contacts and resources.

Conference Goals

- To give voice to grassroots leaders working on development issues

- To break down stereotypes concerning bottom-up and top-down development

- To explore the theory and methodology of social capital and coalition-building

- To strategize ways to support grassroots community leaders within the policy process

- To provide forums for bridge builders to share resources and ideas with each other

- To create lasting bridges between students, faculty, development organizations and bridge builders