Register Now! 4/27-28: Detention Watch Network conference

Register Now!

Online Registration at: http://detentionwatchnetwork.org/conference (details on the website and below)
Final Registration Deadline: Monday, April 9, 2007

Detention Watch Network

7th National Conference
April 27-28, 2007
Washington, D.C.

Located at
Georgetown University Law Center

Advocacy Day
April 26, 2007
Washington, D.C.

Much of the landscape around immigration has changed since Detention Watch Network's last conference in 2005. At the same time that a new democratic Congress gears up for a debate on Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation this spring, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has stepped up raids and arrests at people's homes and work places. As immigrant communities are further terrorized and families lose loved ones at alarming rates, the larger immigrant rights movement is deepening its awareness of detention and deportation issues. It is crucial that we, as advocates who care so deeply about these issues, come together to reflect on this new landscape, so that we can build upon this momentum and strategize for reform of this inhumane system.

Detention Watch Network cordially invites all of its members to attend the 7th National DWN Conference. The 2007 DWN Conference is an opportunity for members to re-connect, re-energize and strengthen their collaboration. The need for focused public education, coordinated advocacy and resource-sharing has never been greater. We hope you will join us!

If you are not yet a DWN member, there is no better time to join! Go to: http://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/2007non-member and submit your membership application today. Once submitted, you are all set to register for the conference. We look forward to seeing you there!

About the Conference

The conference will be held at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. April 27-28, 2007. A Congressional advocacy day will take place on Thursday, April 26, 2007. The conference aims to engage new and current members about the direction and activities of the network, share and enhance members' expertise, cultivate member leadership, forge a common purpose and direction to move forward on immigration detention advocacy, and identify specific activities for member collaboration. It will include informative and interactive workshops, media training, and strategy sessions with excellent opportunities to network with others involved in detention work, including policy advocates, community leaders, legal, social, and religious service providers, volunteers, students, affected individuals and families, and others from across the country. Through this conference, we will develop strategies to bring the plight of those caught in the detention and deportation system to the forefront of the immigration debate and focus on advocacy for policy change.

The conference will provide participants the opportunity to:

· Build a strong, responsive network for advocacy, education, and service provision;

· Participate in advocacy efforts to promote reform of the immigration detention and deportation system and help prioritize issues for the coming year;

· Attend substantive training sessions;

· Strategize to build community involvement and activism around detention and deportation issues; and

· Explore new ways to work together to increase media coverage and community activism.

Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.

On Thursday, April 26, 2007, join us for a Congressional Advocacy Day! This is a great opportunity to voice your concerns about immigration detention and deportation policy with your Congressional representatives. Participants will attend advocacy training and visit Congressional offices. If you plan to participate in the Advocacy Day, please arrive in the Washington, D.C. area on Wednesday, April 25, 2007, as events will start early on Thursday morning.

Conference Registration

Registration will take place online via the DWN website, http://detentionwatchnetwork.org/conference. The deadline for discounted Early Bird Registration is Friday, March 23, 2007. The deadline for Final Registration is Monday, April 9, 2007.

Please note that this conference is intended for current members of the Detention Watch Network. If you or your organization are not a member but are interested in joining DWN and attending the conference, please click http://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/2007non-member. Membership applications must be received by April 2, 2007 in order to be able to attend the conference.

Please plan to attend the entire conference and book your return flights to allow sufficient time after the 5:00 p.m. finish time on Saturday 04/28/07. This is an invaluable opportunity for DWN members to finalize our activities for the upcoming year.

Scholarships

This year's conference fees have increased since our 2005 gathering when we were able to secure space free of charge. However, we have done everything possible to minimize costs and a limited number of partial scholarships for registration, travel and accommodations will be available for participants to ensure maximum participation. For scholarship information, click http://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/2007scholarship.

Conference Location

The conference will be held at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. located at 600 New Jersey Ave. NW, in the heart of downtown DC. The Law Center is a five minute walk from either the Union Station or the Judiciary Square Metro stops on the Red Line and accessible via Ronald Reagan Washington National, Baltimore Washington International, and Dulles International Airports. Further travel details will be sent upon registration. There are many housing options, including hostels, near the conference site. In addition, there may be DWN members willing to house conference attendees. We encourage everyone to stay near Georgetown Law if possible. This will allow more time to network with your colleagues who have come to the conference from across the country.

Questions?

Contact Rita Espinosa, Program Coordinator, program@detentionwatchnetwork.org , 202-339-9310.