Be part of a one-of-a-kind event that brings together speakers from around the globe for open, diverse and balanced discussions on today’s most pressing issues. The Conference on World Affairs (CWA) offers engaging, cross-disciplinary conversations designed to inform, inspire and connect people from all walks of life.

Jointly planned by CU Boulder and the Boulder community, this event is your chance to explore new ideas, share perspectives and be part of the dialogue. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with a dynamic and diverse audience. We can’t wait to see you there!

Learn more by visiting the CWA website.

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This annual event is open to all staff and faculty and serves as an opportunity to network and engage in professional development. Register by Jan. 27.

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Faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up for the annual Student Success Conference, sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Education and the Division of Student Affairs. Here are three reasons to attend on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

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Join the Conference on World Affairs April 7–10 for engaging conversations and insights, as global experts explore the themes: lead, innovate and impact. Engage with dynamic panels and connect with world-renowned speakers.

This year's speakers, including Lisa Graves, Satang Nabaneh and David Brown, will lead discussions on current, challenging issues. The intellectually diverse panels will help participants embrace different ideas and perspectives, enriching the Buff community. Learn more about the 2025 speakers.

For deeper, one-on-one discussions, request a classroom visit with a speaker.

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The Ignite Social Justice & Leadership Conference is an annual one-day conference-style social justice program. Students will learn, have dialogue, network and engage in a brave space together.

The 2024 conference theme is “Redefining Justice Toward Equity and Liberation.” We will deconstruct justice through a lens of curiosity and relearn what equity and liberation can look like as a student leader. This year’s theme explores various forms of activism and liberatory practices while centering the importance of amplifying voices and enacting equitable change. By participating in the Ignite Conference, students will learn new perspectives, participate in critical conversations and be empowered to engage in activism and liberation for all.

The conference will be held in person on Saturday, Oct. 19, in the University Memorial Center (UMC). Register for the Ignite Social Justice & Leadership Conference by Oct. 13.

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The Badge Summit at CU Boulder, a three-day conference focused on how organizational trust (such as CU Boulder’s institutional brand) is used to equip and empower learners of all types, will return to campus Aug. 5–7.

   If you go

Who: Faculty, staff
What: Digital credentialing conference
When: Aug. 5–7, all day
Where: University Memorial Center

CU affiliates are encouraged to contact badgesummit@colorado.edu to inquire about discounts before registering.

Now in its ninth year, this year’s summit will host dozens of in-person and online sessions showcasing the leading practices and provocations that are shaping the future of the credentials innovation space. There will also be plenary sessions, meals and networking receptions for those who attend.

With more than 250 attendees from five continents already registered, the Badge Summit brings together thinkers and doers from K–12, higher education, industry, government, nonprofit and cultural institutions. Through explorations of micro-credentials, recognition and storytelling, attendees will focus on how to more equitably connect people with opportunities.

This year’s global participants include representatives from state departments of education and labor, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Walmart, IBM, MongoDB, Jobs for the Future, Strada Foundation, Lumina Foundation and more.

Interested individuals are welcome to register and attend. University of Colorado affiliates are encouraged to contact badgesummit@colorado.edu to see if CU discounts are still available before registering. If you are unable to attend in person, a virtual Badge Summit conference featuring over two dozen live and recorded sessions will be available on Aug. 20.

More information, the full conference schedule and registration can be found on .

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All Buffs and community members are invited to attend the 31st annual Campus Sustainability Summit, which takes place Wednesday and Thursday, April 24 and 25, at the University Memorial Center.

This two-day event presents many opportunities to share, learn about and celebrate the wide array of accomplishments, challenges and new ideas related to sustainability in the CU Boulder community. Sessions and events open to all who are interested include:

  April 24   11 a.m.–12:15 p.m.   UMC 247
Learn about campus efforts to reduce emissions in the food sector and how the Climate Action Plan culinary strategies could further help. 

  April 24   Noon–6 p.m.   UMC, second floor
Donate and pick up new-to-you items such as clothing, shoes, accessories, outdoor gear, office supplies, housewares, room decor and more. Bring donations to the Environmental Center April 8–23 or on the day of the event.

  April 24   1–4 p.m.   UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom
Learn about sustainability and climate solutions from CU Boulder students and vote for your favorite. Cash prizes of $10,000 are up for grabs! The awards reception will be held from 4 to 5 p.m.

  April 24   5–6:30 p.m.   UMC 235
Hear Anu Taranath, author of “Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World,” deliver an interactive and engaging keynote presentation.

  April 25   10–11:30 a.m.   UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom
Learn from campus leaders about CU Boulder's current sustainability landscape, opportunities and initiatives to achieve our goals. 

  April 25   1–2:30 p.m.    UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom
This panel will explore the impacts of single-use plastics and what CU Boulder is doing to reduce—if not eliminate—this source of waste from campus. 

  April 25   2:45–4 p.m.   UMC 245
Learn from CU faculty and instructors about innovative approaches to sustainability education both inside the classroom and beyond. 

  April 25   4–5:30 p.m.   UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom
Join us at the awards ceremony and reception as we recognize outstanding efforts toward continuing the leadership and legacy of sustainability at CU Boulder. 

See for yourself how Buffs are working to advance sustainability efforts. For more information, visit the CU Boulder Environmental Center website.

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Join the Conference on World Affairs April 9–12 to engage in dynamic discussions about international concerns that will shape the future. From AI and global equity to climate change and leadership, explore the themes that matter most to you at CWA. 

Choose from more than 25 panels that explore the climate’s impact on urban planning, employment, food production and other aspects of daily life. Panelists will also consider how journalism and the arts affect public perception of a changing climate, ways people can help and much more. 

Unsure of what to attend? Here are selected panels, curated with you in mind!

Student selections

How I Built This: Immersive Experiences, Street Art, Drones and Stages

  April 10
  3–4:10 p.m.
  UMC West Ballroom
  

What’s So Funny?

  April 11
  12–1:10 p.m.
  UMC East Ballroom
  

Should TikTok Be on the Chopping Block?

  April 12
  Noon–1:10 p.m.
  UMC Center Ballroom 
  

Getting Out of the Way: Empowering Youth to Take on Global Change

  April 11
  10:30–11:40 a.m.
  Macky Auditorium
  

What’s Next for College Athletes? Discussion on Name, Image, Likeness

  April 10
  10:30–11:40 a.m.
  UMC Center Ballroom
  

Community selections

Psychedelics: Science, Therapy, and Policy

  April 10
  Noon–1:10 p.m.
  UMC West Ballroom
  

Fox vs. CNN vs. The People

  April 10
  10:30–11:40 a.m.
  UMC 235
  

Apocalypse Now: The Real Big Threats to Humanity

  April 10
  9–10:10 a.m.
  UMC Center Ballroom
  

Register to attend

View the full schedule, then select the panels you're interested in attending as part of the registration form.

Get involved

Want to go deeper? Round out your experience as a CWA volunteer. There are many ways to get involved, whether you want to help year-round or during conference week. Sign up to volunteer.

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The TRANSforming Gender Conference raises awareness about issues and identities in the trans community. The conference will take place in person on Saturday, March 16, and Sunday, March 17, at the Koelbel building on campus.

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Scott Dikkers, a comedian, author and co-founder of the satirical news organization The Onion, will give the opening keynote at the 2024 Conference on World Affairs at CU Boulder on Tuesday, April 9, at 5 p.m. in Macky Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public, and .

This year’s conference will boast 70 panel discussions, performances and keynote events with three main themes: leadership, global equity and the next 100 years. All of the conference’s events are open to all without charge.

Students and community members comprise the volunteer program committee that selected each of this year’s speakers and performers. 

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