An impact on the community:

Since its founding in 2008, our Summer Symposium has trained over 500 high school students in the Buffalo area. While many of its alumni are now entering high profile careers in government, public service, and diplomacy, virtually all of its participants have remarked that the program has inspired them to use their talents for the benefit of humanity, regardless of what profession they enter, creating a ripple effect that will be felt for generations​.

---------- Looking at the last five programs ----------

In July 2015 the program welcomed its inaugural class of 45 students from 12 Western New York private and public high schools. Participants heard presentations from the following speakers:
  • Jim Johnson, International War Crimes Prosecutor
  • Holocaust survivor Joseph Diamond
  • Jake Litman, Conflict Free Campus Initiative 
  • TJ Rogers of Freedom House
​In July 2016 the program expanded to accommodate over 55 students and teachers from 15 area schools, with the goal of teaching the students how to become change makers. Students heard from:
  • Oula Alrifai, Syrian activist and asylum seeker
  • Holocaust survivor Sophia Veffer
  • Mike Baronich, local teacher and LGBTQ activist 
  • I Am Syria and Syrian activist __________
The 2017 Program hosted over 70 students and teachers from 15 area schools. Highlights included:
  • Syrian refugee and artist, Nada Odeh teaching how to make a difference through art
  • Discussion with International War Crimes Prosecutor David Crane
  • Hearing from Somalian-American Habiba Mohamed
  • ​Producing an I Am Syria Video with the international organization Standing for Syrian Refugees
The 2018 Program hosted over 75 students and teachers from 25 area schools. Highlights included:
  • Free-speech activist Mary Beth Tinker, of the landmark 1969 Supreme Court Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District case, that paved the way for free speech in schools
  • Donating essential supplies to a local refugee center
  • Projects in which students created events their communities to raise awareness of causes they care about
  • Discussion with Congolese war survivor Sandra Uwiringiyimana
The 2019 Program hosted over 80 students and teachers from 25 area schools. Highlights included:
  • Visits with civil rights leaders at Underground Railroad site Michigan Street Baptist Church and the Underground Railroad Museum
  • ​Donating carts full of supplies to a  local refugee center
  • Connecting Harry Potter and Human Rights with Allida Black,
    director of the Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Project
  • Development of student-created events in their communities to raise awareness of causes they care about