Painting by Ikram Agbagni
Conference Information
DAIS students plan and implement our Annual Multicultural Student Leadership Conference. The conference is a day long event full of open, meaningful and challenging discussion and interactive workshops, along with other activities.
All students from 8th grade to 12th grade are welcome to attend and volunteer to help with the conference.
In order to attend the conference, each student must register and pay a registration fee.
No student will be admitted into the conference after 2 pm.
We encourage schools to participate and support student registration fees. Students should contact their school's advisor for information about their particular school's policy.
Over the years, this conference has been beneficial not only to the student participants but to their schools as well. The knowledge and experience gained at the DAIS conference allows students to return to their schools more confident in themselves and prepared to take the initiative to educate others about diversity and social justice.
Diversity Awareness Initiative for Students (DAIS)
Presents
"Making Waves In Uncharted Waters”
The 26th Annual Multicultural Student Leadership Conference
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025
Ethical Culture Fieldston School
3901 Fieldston Road
Bronx, New York 10471
2025 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Registration/Check in (School Picture ID's will be required)
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM Opening Ceremony
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM Discussion Workshop I
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM Snack Break
2:30 PM - 3:45 PM Discussion Workshop II
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM Group Activity
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Talent Show/Open Mic & Closing
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Dinner
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Party/Game Room
CONFERENCE DISCUSSION WORKSHOPS
Each student will be enrolled in two conference discussion workshops.
Act Your Age!: Post-COVID youth. Has our development as a society been stunted by the Covid pandemic? How is disability defined, accommodated..should it be?
By Any Means Necessary: Protest in the 21st Century. What works and doesn’t work? Are people just too afraid to take action? Why? Is it worth the effort…the risk?
“First, they came for…”: What moral obligation do we have to stand up for other groups of people in polarizing times? Should we expect this in return? Why or why not?
Made in the USA: Who’s American? Differences between a citizen and an immigrant? Our relationship with immigration in the face of fear-mongering and hate-speech. Can we thrive without immigration?
Never Meet Your Heroes: Should we expect perfection in activists? Can you separate someone’s positive impact from their flaws? The ethics of picking the ‘lesser of two evils’?
One Nation…Under God?: The role of religion in society/culture. Can religion be weaponized to support systems of oppression? Is it okay to practice only parts of a religion and ignore others?
So Say It!: Why do people feel the need to claim cultural identities other than their own? What’s the line between appropriation and appreciation? The role of media consumption on identity.
The Death of DEI: How do we move forward as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs are rolled back? What is DEI? Who is it for? Is it effective? What can replace DEI?
Who Wants To Be a Billionaire?: Wealthy CEOs’ influence on society. Is our government corporate run or elected? Social media- a propaganda tool? The reality of billionaire status?
You Can’t Sit With Us: How do social hierarchies (race, gender, socioeconomic status, etc.) impact our relationships at school? Assimilation- conscious or subconscious? Is it worth it?
**Please note** The use of alcohol, tobacco/nicotine products (including e-cigs/vapes/juuls, Zyns) and drugs is strictly prohibited by DAIS, the host school and most importantly, the law. Any student caught with possession of or using such substances will be asked to leave the conference, accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Students interested in attending the conference may register here. You must be in grades 8-12.
Adults interested in chaperoning for the conference may sign up here. You must be at least 21 years old.