Announcements:

(New!) Booking flights? The closest airport is Reagan Washington National - just 4 miles from the event hotel. See the "Logistics & Travel" page using menu above. Travel booking will likely vary from campus to campus. We encourage you to consult with the other participants from your college or university.
(New!) Wondering about reimbursement? Check out the FAQ page, particularly question 10, and see the attachment to the 10/29 email sent to all registrants.
Lodging and event location will be in Alexandria, Virginia. See "Where" section below or navigate to "Logistics & Travel" page using menu above.
We kindly ask that you refrain from wearing fragranced body products, including fragrances, perfumes, colognes, body lotions, and other similar products during the event, out of consideration for attendees with fragrance sensitivity.

About the Event

What is this event all about?

This convening will center student experience and focus on two questions:

“What does a commitment to vibrant, peaceful and just communities look like?” and “How do we educate and learn for this commitment?”

Who is invited?

Student/educator teams from over a dozen colleges and universities who are:

a. experiential learners and/or educators, and

b. whose teaching, learning, and interests have direct connection to conflict transformation, peacebuilding, and/or social justice.

This is an invitation only event, due to our commitment to cover all needed travel and convening costs, and in order to make the event accessible to student/educator teams.

What can I expect?

As a gathering of experiential learners and educators, this will be a participatory, reflective, and skill-building space. Attendees will share approaches, activities, tools, and questions related to one (or more) of our three focus areas:

a. Conflict transformation and peacebuilding: skills and concepts

b. Civic identity: understanding who we are in community - and who we want to be

c. Reflective practices: what we do, how we do it, and why

The convening will include full group sessions and talks, with most of our time in workshops and activities led by attendees.

When institutional teams register, they will be asked to identify an activity, tool, or approach they would like to share at the convening. We intend to create a program schedule that will allow each team to share/demonstrate their selected activity, tool, or approach with others at the gathering.

When?

November 6-8, 2025. We will begin with a welcome reception on Thursday afternoon (11/6) at about 4 pm and conclude on Saturday morning (11/8) by 11 am.

Where?

Accomodations and meeting space will be at:

Hilton Alexandria Old Town, 1767 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

The hotel is located on King Street in Alexandria's vibrant Old Town. King Street Metro Station (blue and yellow lines) is across the street, providing easy links to Washington DC and Reagan National Airport. The Alexandria Amtrak station is also near by. The free King Street Trolley stops at the hotel to help you enjoy the neighborhood.

Rooms will be booked for you once you've registered. We cannot reimburse the cost of rooms you book for yourself.

We reserve the right to hold the event remotely should conditions necessitate.

Why should I come?

Connect with people from other colleges and universities who are excited about conflict transformation, peace building, and social justice.
Meet others committed to supporting - and developing - vibrant, peaceful, and just communities.
Learn new perspectives on, approaches to, and impacts of experiential education.
Develop personally and professionally - in meaningful company with others.
Visit Washington DC and surrounding areas.

How do I register?

Once your college or university confirms its intention to attend via pre-registration, you will receive an invitation to register through a provided link.

As part of the registration process, institutional teams will be asked to identify an activity, tool, or approach they would like to share at the convening.

We will make use of a waitlist if the conference is oversubscribed. Contact ProjectsforPeace@Middlebury.edu with questions.

What costs will I need to cover?

Accommodations, meals, and parking will be provided to participants free of charge. Funds to reimburse travel costs to/from Washington DC are also available: please indicate your request on the registration form.

This convening is supported by the Davis Collaborative in Conflict Transformation at Middlebury College.

Can you tell me more?

We sure can. Check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

Check out photos and quotes from previous convenings at Princeton University (November, 2024) and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey (June, 2025).

"The convening was so well planned, so well organized, and incredibly thoughtful in its execution throughout. I liked the variety of break outs and opportunities to connect with one another. I left with more insight on supporting students through each stage of their experience..."

"Conflict and peace are interconnected and mutually necessary. We are not alone in the work we do. Extended time with interesting and engaged people is delightful and rewarding."

"I gained a new appreciation for the fact that so many of our institutions are engaged in the same work, and we are stronger if wet know of and learn from each other. I really appreciate the many resources, both books and human connections, the convening provided."

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