Sowing Seeds of Compassion, Resilience, and Peace
MWEG 8th Annual Spring Conference ✦ March 22, 2025
Join us virtually or in person at Utah Valley University for our annual conference! You'll develop personal capacity and political skills that will help you become a powerful, compassionate, and peaceful political actor.
Learn more about the roles we can each play to:
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Build a just society by advocating for those who are suffering.
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Push back against the forces of division that are fracturing our relationships and communities.
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Develop the capacity of individuals to be resilient and effective peacemakers.
Schedule
— Subject to Change —
8:15am
Check-in begins for
in-person attendees
9:00am
Welcome
9:15am
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Lauren Pinkston
The Peacemaker’s Tension: Navigating Political Violence with Hearts of Justice and Hands of Mercy
10:15am
Workshop Block 1
Jazmin Kreimer
The Connection Opportunity: Fostering Connection Across Difference in Our Shared Communities
Emily Taylor
Working from the Inside Out: Peacemaking through Discipleship
Melanie Sanders-Smith (moderator), Amelia Self, Megan Fotheringham
Global Health: Today’s Challenges and How They Are Intensified for Displaced People
11:15am
Workshop Block 2
Alexis Bradley
From Fractured to Flourishing: The Power of Community in Peacebuilding
Becca Leviss*, Tami Pyfer, Emily Whitcomb
Rowing the Boat: Advocating with Peace and Dignity
Elizabeth Neumann (moderator), Lorina Tester, Nori Gomez de Bybee, Amy Dott Harmer
Building Proximity and Solidarity in Immigration Advocacy
12:15pm
Lunch
1:15pm
Plenary Speaker
Sharon Eubank**
Developing Resilient Peacemakers Through Service
2:25pm
Workshop Block 3
Deirdre Straight & Michelle Love-Day
Peacemaking by Becoming Stone Catchers: Leading Out in Abandoning Attitudes and Actions of Prejudice
Patrick Mason
Nonviolent Resistance for Non-Resisters: How Latter-day Saints Can Support Peaceful Protest
Stephanie Burdick, Ciriac Alvarez Valle, Rachel Sorensen, Dr. Rachel Kleinfeld*
From Local to Federal: How effective organizing and advocacy can meet the demands of this historical moment
3:30pm
Closing Remarks
Emma Petty Addams &
Jennifer Walker Thomas
* This speaker's remarks will be given via pre-recorded video
** This session will not be recorded and will only be available live in-person or via livestream.
Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Plenary Speaker
Dr. Lauren Pinkston
PhD, International Community Development
Sharon Eubank
Director, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Services
Session Speakers
Ciriac Alvarez Valle
Senior Policy Analyst, Voice for Utah Children
Megan Fotheringham
Global Health and Infectious Disease Senior Advisor
Dr. Rachel Kleinfeld
Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Michelle Love-Day
CEO and Founder, RISE Academy; Adjunct Professor, Westminster University
Tami Pyfer
Chief of External Affairs for UNITE; Co-Creator of the Dignity Index
Amelia Self
Director of the Population Health Division, Salt Lake County Health Department
Lorina Tester
Director, Legal Immigration Program/Senior Attorney, Holy Cross Ministries
Alexis Bradley
MWEG Director of Communities
Nori Gomez de Bybee
Community Engagement Specialist, Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs
Jazmin Kreimer
Head of Development, More in Common
Patrick Mason
Professor of History and Religious Studies, Utah State University; Author, Historian
Melanie Sanders-Smith
International Development Professional
Rachel Sorensen
Former Capitol Hill Staffer
Emily Whitcomb
MWEG Advocacy Administrator
Stephanie Burdick
Community Health Advocate
Amy Dott Harmer
Executive Director, Utah Refugee Connection
Becca Leviss
Masters Candidate, Harvard Divinity School
Elizabeth Neumann
National Security Expert, Violence Prevention Advocate, Author
Emily de Schweinitz Taylor
Assistant Director of Conflict Resolution & Ombuds at UVU
Deirdre Straight
Director, Utah Rooting Out Racism
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
