Purpose

=Purpose:=

The Event has three purposes:


 * First, to **use global perspectives to better understand local challenges and opportunities**, whether they are civic or personal, political, artistic, spiritual or economic;


 * Second, to **create a community of ideas** in which people with diverse interests can learn, grow and connect with each other;


 * Third, to **contribute to** **the** **economic vitality** of the area by attracting visitors and by positioning Tacoma-Pierce County as a center of intellectual excitement and innovation.

The first Conference - April 20-21, 2007 - will be a collection of plenary events and small-group discussions spread over three days. We expect about 50 sessions in all, with 1,000 participants. We are particularly interested in attracting high school and post-secondary students.

The first Conference will have three major themes: peace and social justice; the environment; and education.

The 2007 Conference will be weighted toward local and regional presenters, and will have a predominantly local audience. Over about five years we expect both presenters and audience to become more international.