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Solution-oriented speakers, workshops, discussions and open-space sessions in a vibrant, small-town environment
A national convening of cross-sector intelligence, ideas and action for sustainable living -- common interests and common solutions for the common good.
The second annual Strolling of the Heifers SLOW LIVING SUMMIT is a world-changing (and life-changing) effort at cross-sector, sustainable transformation.
In scheduled as well as open space sessions organized into three major themes -- Slow Economics, Slow Communities and Slow Policies -- we'll examine sustainable, resilient approaches to food, energy, money, health care, relationships - and the impact that catastrophic weather may have on all of them.
The Slow Living Summit is a unique, flexible gathering designed to foster cross-sector solutions for high-quality sustainable living -- solutions for our planet in which common good is just as important as private gain.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
Slow Living Summit is the intersection for sharing slow-living ideas and innovation. At the 2012 gathering, participants will:
- Hear about practical, action-oriented solutions. You already walk the walk and talk the talk. You don't need persuasion, you need how-to practicality.
- Real case histories of solutions you can apply in your community, your school, or your workplace
- Connect with other participants before the gathering, though early contact networking with other attendees.
- Network across silos of expertise and interest during numerous discussions, meals and social events.
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Shape a consensus agenda in real-time within "open-space" sessions and tracks.
- Engage with Brattleboro, a unique New England town! (See description below.)
You will take away from SLS2012:
- Practical tools, advice and information about incorporating slow-living principles into work and home life.
- New professional colleagues and contacts across education, business, science, public policy and advocacy.
- A free, one-year membership in a new Slow Living Network.
In contrast to the typical convention-center conference, the Slow Living Summit's sessions take place in various locations in downtown Brattleboro, Vermont with the town's historic and funky Main Street serving as the concourse when moving between sessions. And the Summit happens just before the world-famous Strolling of the Heifers weekend -- stay in town for the Stroll, an agriculturally-themed parade featuring scores of heifer calves, followed by the Live Green Expo, on Saturday June 2.
SUMMIT THEMES AND TOPICS
The Slow Living Summit will examine ongoing and potential actions in many areas, always with an action-oriented focus on stating problems, identifying resources and proposing solutions. In addition to all of the above, we are building plenty of time in our schedule for Slow Spaces - time, space and facilitation of spontaneous discussions, collaborations, presentations and networking.
Speakers and panelists at the 2012 Summit will lead conversations organized into three overarching themes:
- Slow Economics: Exploring economics based on collaboration and integrity rather than extraction and wealth-creation
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Slow Communities: Tools for building healthy, sustainable and resilient communities
- Slow Policies: Economic policy and fostering public-private collaboration
In each of these themes there will be dozens of topical breakout sessions. All sessions will emphasize idea-sharing, networking and "how-to" skills training. We hope to announce many speakers and a schedule by the end of January, but meanwhile, see our Schedule page for more detail on the sessions that are under development.
Links for more Summit information and registration:
- The 2012 Slow Living Summit
- The 2011 Slow Living Summit:
- About Slow Living
- Summit poster
- Click here for printable 8.5x11 color Slow Living Summit poster (PDF format)
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| Downtown Brattleboro rainbow* |
Brattleboro, Vermont
The Summit doesn't happen in the usual sterile conference hotel -- instead, Brattleboro's Main Street hosts our gathering, opening up a restored cinema, outdoor walking spaces, cafés, the Marlboro College Graduate School, and other venues to screenings, performances, talks, discussions, workshops and general sessions.
Come and discover Brattleboro - a small community in southern Vermont - renowned for decades for its commitment to healthy, local, sustainable living and technology, for its vibrant communities of visual and performance artists, craftspeople, poets and writers, and for the diversity of its shops, restaurants and galleries. In turn Brattleboro is a gateway to the Green Mountains and Vermont -- a state renowned for innovation in small business, renewable energy, healthy living and progressive government.
WHY NOW?
Register now for Early Bird rates!
- Jan. 1 - March 31, 2012: Early Bird Rates: General registration $189; Spouse/SO rate $149; Student rate $95; Local limited means rate $95 subject to availability.
- Stipend reservation rate: $25 -- We are seeking sponsor support for a limited number of scholarship stipend slots. Registrants in this category will receive a brief application to complete. Acceptance is by committee approval and subject to stipend availability. Issuance to approved applicants is on first-come basis. Denied applicants may receive a refund or upgrade to rates that were in effect at time of stipend reservation registration. The stipend rate will be available through March 31.
- April 1-May 14: Advance rates: General registration $225; Spouse/SO rate $179; Student rate $105; Local limited means rate $105 subject to availability. Stipend reservations will no longer be available.
- May 15-June 1: Final advance and onsite rates: General registration $249; Spouse/SO rate $199; Student rate $125; Local limited means rate $125 subject to availability. Stipend reservations will no longer be available.
REGISTRATION
To register for the Slow Living Summit, please visit the registration page at our website, www.slowlivingsummit.org.
ABOUT US
The Slowing Living Summit is a project of Strolling of the Heifers, a non-profit entity which celebrates the agricultural heritage and contemporary sustainable focus of Brattleboro with the annual Strolling of the Heifers parade through downtown. The Slow Living Summit invites a structured, thoughtful examination of our global future, before and during the the "Stroll." We are please to have major support from our partners at Marlboro College Graduate School and World Learning/SIT, both in Brattleboro.
FOR SUGGESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
*Photo by Professor Bop, used under Creative Commons License.
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