Conference Outcome

On April 9th 2012 Governor Peter Shumlin welcomed about 250 Vermont students and teachers to the Vermont State House for the kick off event of the Vermont Global Issues Network, VTGIN.

Governor Shumlin believes in the power of youth to make a difference and understands how important it is for young Vermonters to be aware of the compelling global issues we face and how imperative it is to act on them locally in constructive ways.

The day informed students about the mission of GIN, offered a range of workshops on compelling global issues, gave students an opportunity to network and encouraged students to work with teachers locally to learn more about global issues, spread the message to more students and take action locally.

Mission: To empower students to work internationally with their peers to develop solutions for global issues

Objective: To form satellite networks of schools around the world to participate in ongoing communication and collaboration, to educate themselves and seek solutions to some of the world's compelling issues.

High Noon: In his book, Jean-François Rischard, former World Bank Vice President for Europe, describes exponential changes that are creating immense and unprecedented global issues. Because existing institutions cannot adequately respond, alternative solutions are necessary before it is too late. He offers the concept of ‘global issues networks’ as a means of addressing these problems.