8th Annual North Country Symposium Information

Date and Time:
Tuesday evening, April 6, 2010. Registration begins 6:30pm, Event from 7:00 to 9:00pm
Wednesday April 7, 2010. Registration begins at 8:30am, Event from 9:00am to 4:30pm

Location:
Eben-Holden Conference Center
St. Lawrence University
Canton NY, 13617

To find the Eben Holden Conference Center, from the main intersection in downtown Canton, New York, proceed south on Park Street through the St. Lawrence University campus.  Signs and parking attendants will direct you to the appropriate parking lots and the Eben Holden Conference Center.  For a map of the St. Lawrence University campus, go to http://www.stlawu.edu/campusmap/.

Registration Materials:
Registration Form
Program Overview
Symposium Program

Theme:
“Our North Country Future, Starting Now!”

This year’s North Country Symposium, the 8th annual conference, takes place amidst unprecedented economic conditions in the region, state, and nation that have not been seen in several decades. This year’s North Country Symposium explores two challenges of the situation: the future implications of current demographic trends in the region (and in St. Lawrence County in particular), and ways in which regional approaches to initiatives make sense for all of us together.

This year’s keynote speaker, Dr. David Brown, is Co-Director of Cornell University’s Community and Rural Development Institute (CaRDI). A demographer and noted researcher on rural development, Dr. Brown will highlight the current demographics of the North Country with an eye toward suggestion challenges our region will face in the coming decades. Because CaRDI has worked with other regions and communities throughout New York State and surrounding states, Dr. Brown will also provide information about ways in which community involvement and planning can help us to consider possible solutions and initiatives that can position us well. In his own words, “demographics are not destiny.” Instead, they are merely data that can help us understand and think carefully about our options.

The Symposium will also feature remarks by local leaders who have been working with our North Country demographics to plan for the future in their own areas, including health care, education, agriculture, and energy. In addition, there will be time for participants to discuss possibilities and design plans for ongoing research and initiates to help us move toward a more sustainable future.

Who May Attend?
Anyone with an interest in the future of the North Country!

Registration:

Registration materials are available online (Registration Form)

We ask that you pre-register so that we may secure the space and food appropriately.

You may mail your registration form by Monday, March 29, 2010, to the address listed.

Alternatively, you may fax your registration information to 315.229.7423.

You may also email the completed registration form to gabogo07@stlawu.edu

Fees: While no fee is charged this year, we ask that you pre-register. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Questions?
Ben Dixon, Coordinator
North Country Symposium
St. Lawrence University
Canton, NY 13617
315.229.5631
bdixon@stlawu.edu