CWA Newsletter - CWA Updates and 2024 Visioning

Since the end of the spring semester, the CWA board has engaged in important transitional work on two parallel paths: 1) beginning the planning process for the next CWA in April 2024, and 2) launching a visioning process that will build on previous work to solidify the future of the conference in 2025 and beyond.

With these parallel processes in mind, the CWA board will remain largely intact for the coming planning cycle to ensure continuity and build momentum as the planning and visioning processes proceed. Board transitions will begin, based on the outcome of the visioning process beginning this summer, after the conference concludes in April 2024. A list of current CWA board members is available on the website here.

Announcing 2024 Program and Outreach Chairs, Opportunities to Engage 

We are pleased to announce that our CWA 2024 Program Committee has kicked off efforts to start planning the 2024 conference. There are lots of opportunities for involvement!

The Community and Student Program Chairs have been nominated and elected: Congratulations to Yvette Lowney and Vara Reom!

Congrats also to Paul Cure, who will return as Community Outreach Chair as well. 

The CWA 2024 planning committees are forming this month and next, and we are excited to begin the planning process for CWA 2024. Opportunities to be part of the planning process are available.

• Planning committees welcome new volunteers, and encourage existing committee volunteers to consider leadership positions. 
• Multiple “Themes” will be selected to be included in the 2024 program. Descriptions of the goals of the themes and the theme selection process will be forthcoming next week, so please watch for that email in your inbox.

To learn more about how to get involved in the program committee or to share your ideas for 2024 planning please email cwa@colorado.edu. 

Visioning Process Overview, Invitation to Listening Sessions

The visioning process, at the direction of Chancellor DiStefano and facilitated by CU Boulder Chief Communications Officer Jon Leslie, is kicking off this month with the formation of a community/university taskforce and a series of campus and community input sessions beginning in late July. 

The taskforce will include representatives from the community, faculty, staff, student body and CU Boulder, with a charge to engage key campus and community stakeholders in developing and sharing recommendations for future models for the conference that deepen campus community engagement in CWA and reinforce our commitment to being a great partner with the surrounding community of Boulder.

The visioning process will also explore opportunities to deepen collaborations with other signature annual campus events and programs to enhance overall visibility, engagement and positive impact on campus, community and broader stakeholder groups, while maintaining CWA’s unique character, identity and mission.

Anticipated Timeline 

• Complete: Late April/early May: Survey of 2023 attendees and speakers for feedback 
• June: Nominations and selection of task force membership, in consultation with the CWA board
• July-August: Taskforce members invited; taskforce convenes and begins visioning process, including summer listening sessions and initial recommendation development
• September-October: Engagement opportunities to vet ideas and collect feedback on proposed CWA approaches
• November/December: Recommendation(s) finalized and delivered to Chancellor
• Spring 2024: Chancellor decision on next steps expected in advance of CWA 2024 during the Spring semester; announcement timing TBD in coordination with CWA 2024 planning and promotion efforts

Have input you would like to share? You can sign up for listening sessions on the following dates below:

Visioning Sessions Schedule 

Each session will be capped at 20 attendees to allow for productive and efficient conversations. Click on the date you are available to sign up. Each session will also be recorded. 

July 27^th – In-person visioning session at 5:00pm, CASE Building, Room E422

July 31^st – Remote visioning session at 11:30am, Zoom Link 

August 4^th – In-person visioning session at 9:00am, CASE Building, Room W313 

August 11^th – In-person visioning session at 1:00pm, CASE Building, Room E422

To all of our community, student, staff, and faculty volunteers, we acknowledge the critical role you play in making our conference a continued success. Your willingness to give your time and service is greatly appreciated. We are honored to have so many returning community members helping to plan our programming, be a greeter at a welcome desk, moderate panels, and house our speakers. 

Your work is critical to our success, and we sincerely appreciate your dedication. Thank you again for all you do! 

Thank you to our partners the CU Boulder Climate Innovation Collaboratory (CIC) and the Research & Innovation Office (RIO)! This partnership provides CWA with support to be able to continue offering free events open to the public, provide student leadership stipends and internships, and cover production costs and speaker-related expenses. 

Also, aligning with our focus on climate for the 2023 conference, the Climate Innovation Collaboratory (CIC) is a nationally competitive convening body that enables climate action with global, real-world impact through technology and market development.

Deloitte and the University of Colorado Boulder launched the Climate Innovation Collaboratory to translate cutting-edge climate research and data into meaningful climate solutions for businesses, organizations, government agencies and communities.

The Conference on World Affairs is made possible by generous gifts from people like you. The CWA is pleased to offer live, in-person sessions, open to all without charge.

Our donors help make the CWA a special experience for our students and community. Please consider making a gift to the CWA today!

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