{"id":94454,"date":"2017-07-06T14:48:43","date_gmt":"2017-07-06T18:48:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestbuddies.org\/?p=94454"},"modified":"2019-11-12T16:37:17","modified_gmt":"2019-11-12T21:37:17","slug":"student-leaders-around-world-unite-28th-annual-best-buddies-leadership-conference-indiana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/2017\/07\/06\/student-leaders-around-world-unite-28th-annual-best-buddies-leadership-conference-indiana\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Leaders from around the World to Unite at the 28th Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference in Indiana"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bloomington, Ind. July 6, 2017<\/strong>\u2014This summer a beloved Best Buddies tradition will return to Bloomington, Indiana as the 28th<\/sup> Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference: Pass the Torch <\/em><\/strong>kicks off on July 21-24. <\/strong>Best Buddies International<\/a> is a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).<\/p>\n

The Best Buddies Leadership Conference<\/em> (BBLC) brings together leaders with and without IDD from middle schools, high schools, colleges, and communities worldwide, providing chapter leaders and ambassadors personalized training that develops the leadership skills needed to organize a Best Buddies chapter. Over 2,200 student leaders, 350 Best Buddies staff, and over 30 guest speakers are expected to attend. Participants from the following countries will also be in attendance: Bolivia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Macau, Panama and Russia, who will provided valuable insight into the Best Buddies programs abroad.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Leadership Conference theme is \u201cPass the Torch\u201d <\/em>which emphasizes the importance of preparing and empowering the future leaders and advocates of the world with the skills and knowledge to move the mission of equality forward. During the event, individuals will learn, grow and foster a cultural shift in their community for inclusion and acceptance. The conference will celebrate the incredible impact volunteers with and without IDD are making in the world as a result of their leadership. Attendees will receive lessons from global leaders in the disability rights movement; watch inspiring performances; witness moving testimonies; and attend compelling and empowering educational sessions.<\/p>\n

\u201cBest Buddies\u2019 global volunteer movement is changing the world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and creating a more inclusive community,\u201d said David Quilleon, Senior Vice President, Global Mission, State Development & Operations. \u201cThese student leaders are the catalyst for all of our programs and I\u2019m excited to see how they leverage our mission of friendship, jobs, and leadership development as agents for social change in their schools and communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Special guests at this year\u2019s Leadership Conference include:<\/p>\n