October 7 - 10, 2007

Hilton Charlotte University Place
8629 JM Keynes Drive
Charlotte, North Carolina 28262

Welcome to the Web site for Summit 2007: Diverse Partners for Environmental Progress. We hope you will join us on October 8 - 10, 2007 at our national conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. The goal of this broad-based gathering is to explore issues linked to the environment and develop a strong network of environmental advocates that is reflective of race, ethnicity, culture, class and geography.

Registration and Transportation

Conference registration may be done using our online registration form.

You can also arrange a shuttle to/from the airport.

Sponsorship Opportunities

In order to make Summit 2007 affordable to all, we are offering opportunities for sponsorships to help subsidize some of the costs of the conference. Please note that it is not necessary to contribute the full amount of a particular item in order to be a sponsor. Partial sponsorships of 1/2 or 1/3 of the amount listed are also available. Thank you for your support.

You can download a sponsorship form using this link. The form includes details on all options, amounts and who to contact for more information.

History

Summit 2007 grew from the historic conversation that began in October 2005 at the first national environmental summit held in Wakefield, Virginia. More than 90 leaders from environmental justice, public health, conservation, faith-based and community organizations came together to address the challenges of working together across racial and other barriers and to begin to heal some of the misunderstandings of the past.

Following that event, two regional roundtables were held in Washington, DC and Oakland, California to continue the conversation and begin preparations for the next summit. (A third roundtable is scheduled for Albuquerque, New Mexico in August 2007.) Overall these conversations have enabled us to tell a different story and drop the old paradigm of how we cannot work together for a new one, which explains why we will continue to form new ties and solidify the relationships among disparate groups. It is the only way we will be successful in safeguarding our planet and its people.

Why Now?

Why is Summit 2007 happening? We believe that people really want something new and that they are ready and willing to take the first steps toward the possibility of change. We also believe that if they are given the time and space to act authentically change will occur. Those who are committed to the environment are eager to create a diverse and powerful community of advocates. Our intent is to continue to convene these summits and follow-up roundtables until they are no longer needed-until we can speak out with one voice for a better world.

Summit 2007 Objectives

• To agree on and formalize principles and actions for continuing progress in building a committed, diverse community of environmental advocates
• To incorporate the voices of America’s youth into the critical discussions
• To honor and learn from colleagues who have demonstrated successful partnership principles
• To work build on the living document that will create a new pattern for environmental cooperation and partnerships
• To develop opportunities to strengthen our network and relationships through capacity building and fund-raising

Who should participate?

Leaders from the Environmental Justice, traditional and non-traditional environmental, public health, faith, civil rights, environmental education, parks, conservation/recreation fields as well as those who are involved with funding to improve the environment for all communities.