Calvin College

Faith & International Development Conference

Media press release

Calvin conference attracts national audience

The fourth annual Faith and International Development Conference will be held at Calvin College on Thursday through Saturday, February 5-7. In 2008, more than 500 students from 57 colleges and universities across the United States and Canada gathered at Calvin, eager to learn more about international development and to network with representatives from development organizations and with student leaders. This year the conference will once again invite students to explore issues of development, including: health, peace building, economics, environmental care and community development.

The theme for this year's conference is “Partnership: United in Service.” The event will highlight the relationships between communities, churches, businesses, NGOs, and governments in the Global North and the Global South. Drawing on I Corinthians 12, participants will consider what it means to be part of the global body of Christ and form strong relationships in development work.

The conference features representatives from more than 15 development organizations, including CRWRC, World Vision, Partners Worldwide, and Food for the Hungry. These representatives will share their own experiences in development during breakout sessions, lunchtime conversations, and informal discussions around organization display tables.

In addition to interacting with agency representatives, students will hear from four plenary speakers who will address the theme of partnership drawing on years of development work in local and international NGOs, mission organizations, and intergovernmental institutions.

For more information and to register, visit the conference website.