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Event Info
Record wildfires, extreme heat, drought, weather, and more. Despite this reality, we are divided and distracted.
How can we shift the climate narrative to build new coalitions and to transform the crisis?
Join us this April at the Planet Forward Summit to learn what it will take to turn discord into dialogue, conflict into collaboration, and opposition into opportunity.
Engage with the experts, advocates, storytellers, and students committed to moving toward a more sustainable future.
Agenda
PROGRAM
Thursday, April 17
8:30 am - NETWORKING & BREAKFAST
805 21st. St. NW, 2nd floor atrium
Morning Session
805 21st. St. NW, Jack Morton Auditorium
OPENING REFLECTION
Trinity Norris, Ilíiaitchik: Indigenous Correspondents Program, University of Arizona
STORIES MATTER
Frank Sesno, Founding Director, Planet Forward
Dr. Imani M. Cheers, Associate Professor, GW School of Media and Public Affairs
TRANSFORMING CONFLICT
Dr. Sarah Stroup, Director, Conflict Transformation Collaborative, Middlebury College
Dr. Netta Avineri, Professor and Chair, Intercultural Communication, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
EMBRACING NUANCE
Halle Parker, President, Society of Environmental Journalists; New Orleans Public Radio
Kunjal Bastola, Planet Forward Correspondent, Northwestern University
CONNECTING AUDIENCES WITH DATA AND SCIENCE
Tom Di Liberto, Climate Scientist and Science Communicator
Kasha Patel, Deputy Weather Editor for the Capital Weather Gang, The Washington Post
MODERATOR: Dr. Darcy Gentleman, Education Lead, Planet Forward
Break
CROSSING THE DIVIDE
Chelsea Henderson, Author & Director of Editorial Content, republicEn
Hattie Hobart, Chief of Staff, Nature is Nonpartisan
DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS
Maria Jose Vargas, Planet Forward Correspondent, Middlebury
Maggie Rhoads, Planet Forward Correspondent, GWU
Danny Nicholson, Planet Forward Correspondent, Teesside University
MODERATOR: Dr. Netta Avineri, Professor and Chair, Intercultural Communication, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
SEEKING COMMON GROUND IN UNCOMMON TIMES
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
MODERATOR: Frank Sesno, Founding Director, Planet Forward
LUNCH
Carolyn Finney, Author & Artist-in-Residence, Environmental Affairs, Middlebury College
Afternoon Session:
KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: EMPOWERING NEW VOICES
Bilal Motley, Documentary Filmmaker
DEEP LISTENING
Tyler Dorholt, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing, SUNY ESF
Abbey Leibert, Planet Forward Correspondent, SUNY ESF
Brianna El-Quhir, Student, SUNY ESF
Daniel Vera, Student, SUNY ESF
RESPECTING TRADITIONS
Robyn Iron, Ilíiaitchik: Indigenous Correspondents Program, University of Montana
Karli Moore, Ilíiaitchik: Indigenous Correspondents Program, Stanford University
MODERATORS: Ivey Camille Manybeads Tso and Aaron Dye
EXPLORER'S JOURNEY
Joy Reeves, 2024 Storyfest Winner
MODERATOR: Dr. Imani M. Cheers, Associate Professor, GW School of Media and Public Affairs
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
Frank Sesno, Founding Director, Planet Forward
NEW HORIZONS
Frank Sesno, Founding Director, Planet Forward
Ellen M. Granberg, President, George Washington University
ANNOUNCEMENT: The Storyfest Winners!!
POSTER SESSION: SUSTAINABILITY AND STORYTELLING
Friday, April 18
8:30 am - NETWORKING & BREAKFAST
805 21st. St. NW, 2nd floor atrium
KEYNOTE
Bill McKibben, Author and Journalist
WORKSHOPS - CLICK THROUGH!
LUNCH
GET INSPIRED
Learn why inspirational stories are the most motivational — and effective — to drive action.
GET SKILLED
Learn the very best in communication techniques that you can apply immediately to your environmental communication.
GET MOBILIZED
Learn how you can create a movement for the planet on your campus and in your community.
GET CONNECTED
Connect with leading journalists, policymakers, innovators, and more and apply for exclusive internship and job opportunities.
4 REASONS TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Sponsors
SPONSORS
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