What We've Accomplished

Since its founding in 2008, our Summer Symposium (formally the Summer Institute) has trained over 500 high school students in the Buffalo area. The program is dedicated to teaching high school age students While many of its alumni are now entering high profile careers in government, public service, and diplomacy, virtually all 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. These individuals will then have a ripple effect that will be felt for generations​

---------- Our last five programs ----------

In July 2015 the program welcomed its inaugural class of 45 students from over 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 a changemaker. Students heard from;
  • Oula Alrifai, Syrian activist and asylum seeker
  • Holocaust survivor Sophia talks about her 
  • Mike Bronich, local teacher and LGBTQ activist celebrating the 
  • 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
  • International War Crimes Prosecutor, David Crane talk
  • Hearing from Somalian-American Habiba Mohamed
  • ​Producing an I Am Syria Video with the international organization standing for Syrian Refugee's
The 2018 Program hosted over 75 students and teachers from 25 area schools. Highlights included;
  • Speaker with Mary Beth Tinker, who paved the way for free speech in schools
  • Donating a car load of essential supplies to a local refugee center
  • Completed a week long project in which students created an event in their communities to raise awareness on a cause they cared about
  • Talk ith Congolese war survivor Sandra Uwiringiyimana
The 2019 Program hosted over 80 students and teachers from 25 area schools. Highlights included;
  • Speaker with civil rights leaders at Michigan Baptist Church and Underground Railroad Museum
  • ​Donating three carts full of supplies to the local refugee center
  • Connecting Harry Potter and Human Rights with Allida Black
  • Completed a week long project in which students created an event in their communities to raise awareness on a cause they cared about