2011 Bhopal Conference

Register for the 7th Annual North American Bhopal Conference!

WHEN: Saturday October 15 & Sunday October 16, 2011 (with social event Friday evening)
WHERE: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA

Register Now!

Early Bird Registration: Register by September 21nd and the fee is $35 for professionals and $20 for students.
Registration Deadline: Everyone must register by October 10! After September 21, the fee is $50 for Professionals and $35 for students.

Pay now via ICJB's donation page on PANNA's website (our fiscal sponsor). Write "conference registration" in the "Special Comments" box.

The conference costs ICJB up to $70 per person. Everyone who wants to attend the conference, regardless of financial means, has the right to do so. Please let us know if you will need the fee waived or reduced. You may also pay by check or cash at the conference itself.

What is this conference all about?

Our 7th Annual Conference is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16, 2011 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Bhopal Conference isn't just a ton of fun; it is also an opportunity for activists, allies, students, and supporters of the Bhopal campaign to meet, strategize, and discuss our plans for the year ahead. This year, the conference will be better than ever, with guest speakers, and in-depth conversations about improving our work.

Why should you attend?

The annual Bhopal Conference is the place to be if you want to meet Bhopal supporters from around the world, get jazzed about the campaign, and learn more about how to carry the campaign forward.

Need more reasons? These are a few of the reasons why we organize this conference: Saif, 2010 Conference Attendee

To provide information: the current status in Bhopal, campaign strategy, campaign history, Dow's vulnerabilities, legal issues, the US structure and organization, our victories, Q & A, etc.
To provide skills and experience: shared experience session, skills trainings
To provide an opportunity to bond: as individuals, as an organization
To get feedback on our strategic framework: for future planning, for our goals, for our structure.
To create cohesion: as an organization, among its members

Testimonies from last year's conference

"I was happy to see many committed individuals willing to share their thoughts and knowledge. I think the presence of all the participants was inspiring."

"Awesome! Really enjoyed it, learned a lot, felt excited to get to work. Thanks guys"

"I felt more connected to the people that I've been communicating with from afar… It was great to see their faces and feel their energy for the issue. I was almost like hitting the recharge button for me. I was inspired by attendees dedication to Bhopal, and reminded me of the importance of grassroots involvement."

How do I get there?

The Conference will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area, at Stanford University (view map). Participants are strongly encouraged to arrive on Friday (14th) as there will be (optional but really cool) activities planned, and because the conference will start early on the morning of the 15th.
Stanford University, from stanford.edu
Travelling by air: please purchase tickets to SFO (San Francisco International); San Jose (SJC) or Oakland (OAK) would be second-best and third-best options, respectively.

Public Transportation: Public transportation in the Bay Area is very easy. Please visit http://511.org/ to plan your journey.

Please note that most meals, and all accommodation at the conference will be provided! NEW: If you have family or friends in the San Francisco Bay Area that could provide housing, please sign up to be a host! We're proud to say we bring the kindess, more responsible house guests you'll ever meet.

What's the Conference Schedule?

The full schedule will be given to attendees. New! Last year's conference program is available to download at the bottom of this post. But, to give you a sneak peak, here is a list of the workshops being planned:

NEW! Special apperance from the director, Max Carlson, and the producer, Kirk Palayan, of award-winning documentary on the disaster and its fallout, Bhopali
Talking to activists on the ground in Bhopal
Updates on the busy year we've had
Legal Eagles on Bhopal: The Latest Developments in the Court Battles and How They Shape the Campaign
What Do OUR Communities Need to Know About Bhopal? Developing local and global efforts for recruitment, leadership development, and coalition building.
Bhopal & Me: Sharing experiences from Bhopal & across North America. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens…