Conferences

The Center on Adolescence encourages the development of knowledge related to adolescence by hosting conferences at Stanford and in association with national conferences of leading professional organizations with common interests.

Leadership Meeting on Promoting Good Work and "Beyond the Self'' Values - November 7, 2013 - November 8, 2013

This 2-day meeting will bring together leaders of organizations that have taken an interest in positive cases of exemplary education and citizenship in today's society and will provide an opportunity for mutual learning, network-building, collaboration, and possible initiation of a joint effort to elevate public awareness and improve the current climate for work and purposeful careers.

Youth Civic Development and Education Conference - February 7, 2013

This conference on youth civic purpose and education convened seven distinguished experts to speak with the highest authority to the pressing issues confronting civic education today. A consensus report of the panel's findings is now available for the benefit of educators, policy makers, and other concerned citizens.

Conference Consensus Report

Conference Program

Youth Civic Development: Theory, Constructs, Innovative Methods - March 30, 2011

The Stanford University Center on Adolescence in conjunction with the Society for Research on Adolescence (SRA) Civic Development Network hosted a Preconference Meeting at the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial meeting, in Montreal, Canada.

Youth Civic Development Preconference Program

American Identity Renewed: An Educational Agenda for the 21st Century - June 5, 2010

The Stanford Center on Adolescence convened a meeting in New York City to discuss the crucial educational goal of promoting positive civic purpose among today's young. Speakers included ANDREW DELBANCO from Columbia University, University of Chicago's MARGARET BEALE SPENCER, the EastWest Institute's OS GUINNESS, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's WILLIAM SULLIVAN, Catholic University of America's JAMES YOUNISS, and JACQUES BENNINGA from the Bonner Center for Character Education and Citizenship.

American Identity Renewed Program

Youth Purpose: How Adolescents Develop Meaningful Direction - March 10, 2010

A Preconference Roundtable hosted by The Center on Adolescence in conjunction with the 2010 Society for Research on Adolescence (SRA) Biennial Meeting in Philadelphia. The Roundtable facilitated collaboration among a community of scholars dedicated to understanding how young people direct their lives. Introductory remarks were provided by William Damon, Center Director, and Jeffrey Arnett, Clark University.

Program: SRA Preconference Roundtable

A Conversation about Youth Entrepreneurship and Purpose - February 10, 2008

A public symposium presented by the Center on Adolescence, held in conjunction with its Youth Purpose Academic Advisory Panel meeting on February 7. Enthusiastic audience questions and comments reflected a strong interest in how entrepreneurship can help young people fulfill their potential and contribute to their communities.

Symposium Program

Positive Youth Development in our Time: The Age of Purpose - May 11, 2006

The Center convened its Academic Advisory Panel composed of well-regarded scholars with unique perspectives on the topic of youth purpose. Center Director William Damon and Search Institute President Peter Benson shared a dialog on Youth Purpose which was enriched by perspectives from Advisory Panel members. The event culminated in a public symposium featuring three young people who shared their stories, hopes and expectations for the future.

Symposium Program

Conference to explore the concept of purpose from a variety of academic viewpoints - March 23, 2003 - March 24, 2003

The Center brought together leading scholars from several disciplines including Applied Developmental Science, Cultural Anthropology, Education, Human Development and Social Policy, and Psychology. Each scholar contributed his or her perspective on youth purpose.

The Adolescent Search for Purpose: The Roles of Moral, Civic, and Spiritual Development - April 11, 2002

The Center organized a pre-conference at the ninth biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Adolescence. The session featured two panels that presented pioneering research and set the stage for group discussion about the roles of moral identity, civic engagement, cultural identity, and spirituality as sources of meaning and purpose.

Preconference web page (image)

Fostering Youth's Civic Engagement and Participation in Free and Democratic Societies - June 15, 2000 - June 17, 2000

A conference co-sponsored by the Center, the Brown University Center for the Study of Human Development, and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Over three days, six panels discussed political socialization and engagement, transition to citizenship, the role of schools, and the impact of service-learning.

Conferences

Activities