October 13-15, 2011
Senator John Heinz Regional History Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Visit www.buildingchangewpa.org to stay informed about follow-up and workshop details.
What was it all about?
The first-ever gathering of people and organizations from across Southwestern Pennsylvania – community members and leaders, human services providers and small business owners, union members, grantmakers, filmmakers, artists, entertainers, media representatives, people from all backgrounds and interests – who share a common goal of advancing social justice and change in our region and world. A three-day, open attendance conference on social justice and change for the 10-county Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Events include workshops, training sessions, plenary sessions, a Keynote Address by renowned economist and environmentalist Winona LaDuke, panel discussions, the Building Change Film Festival, a Social Justice Arts Show, an Internship Fair, entertainment, Youth Leading Change event, and more.
Keynote Address by renowned economist and environmentalist Winona LaDuke
Thursday, October 13th at 6:00 PM
See below for the full schedule of events!
Purposes of the Convergence:
Overarching Goal: To advance the social change and justice movement in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.
Enabling Objectives:
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To provide a forum for identifying and discussing urgent social, economic, and environmental issues in the rural and urban communities comprising the 10-county Southwestern Pennsylvania region.
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To convene hundreds of grassroots organizations, groups, and individuals in this region to engage in productive debate and dialogue on problems of inequity and injustice and to seek unified, strategic and non-duplicative solutions to these problems.
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To develop a five-year Action Plan for Building Social Justice in Southwestern Pennsylvania that will be shaped by Convergence participants. A Continuations Committee will be drawn from participants to guide implementation of this first-ever plan to build the capacity of the social change movement in the region.
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To foster greater collaboration and partnerships between and among grantmakers and progressive organizations throughout the region.
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To draw media attention to issues of social justice in the region.
Anticipated Attendance:
1,500-1,700 people
To ensure that the Convergence is open to all, the event planners are keeping admission rates low (click “Register” for prices) and offering forty need-based scholarships per day. Find out more about this by clicking here.
This event is fully accessible for people with disabilities. Please note how we can better accommodate your needs on your registration.
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The Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP) is a community formed through collaboration, bringing together agency, organization, and religious leaders, as well as individuals.
The Tides Foundation, founded in 1976, grew out of a need for the facilitation of philanthropic giving. Tides works to promote a change towards a society founded on a few basic principles: social justice, shared economic opportunity, a healthy democratic process, and sustainable environmental practices. 
