Word Up!: An International Conference

August 7, 2018

11 different countries, 16 different organizations; 147,000 children.

From July 11 to 14, sixteen 826-inspired organizations gathered together to share knowledge and learn about the international landscape of writing, education, and youth voice. 826 National teamed up with Noordje, an organization that runs art and language projects at schools and in neighborhoods for students aged 6 through 18 in Amsterdam, to host Word Up! in their beautiful writing center in Amsterdam. The Word Up! conference focused on the importance of students worldwide being able to advocate for themselves and their communities through the written word.

Noordje students proudly read aloud their newspaper articles and interviewed 826 National co-founder Dave Eggers. 

We came together to share, learn, plan, inspire, and talk about how writing is the creative tissue that connects us all.

Participating Organizations:

“The conference was an incredibly meaningful time to meet with 826-inspired organizations from around the world,” said Kait Steele, Director of Operations. “Our conversations highlighted the ways students are exploring and amplifying their voices at each of the organizations—and how this work and these stories are part of a global movement.”

A big thank you to all the participating organizations for a successful and inspirational conference! We look forward to the work we will do to protect, uplift, and amplify student voice around the world — together. 

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