Voices of Change: Smith Will Host Global Digital Storytelling Conference Sept. 25-27

Storytelling can be a powerful tool for inspiring and educating young people—especially in the digital age.

That is the idea behind the Sixth International Digital Storytelling Conference, which Smith is co-hosting this weekend in collaboration with the Five College campus consortium.

The conference, to be held Friday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 27, will draw scholars, students and activists from around the globe to reflect on how stories can be used to promote activism, education and public service. This marks the first time the international gathering is being held in the United States and the western hemisphere.

A major theme of the “Voices of Change” conference is youth and activism. The program includes numerous workshops on outreach to young people, as well as a daylong youth summit.

Smith psychology professor Philip Peake—a conference co-chair—said Smith is a good venue for a scholarly assembly on the uses of storytelling in organizing and education.

“Storytelling has been a focus of activity at Smith for more than a decade,” Peake noted. “Smith and the Five Colleges have become an important hub for academic research on digital storytelling.”

Peake pointed to a program launched a decade ago through which Smith students and faculty worked with WGBY public television on a project to address health disparities through community-based digital storytelling workshops in Springfield, Mass.  (Vanessa Pabon, community engagement director at WGBY, is a co-chair of the “Voices of Change” conference).

Storytelling seems to be taking off as a form of communication and a tool in political organizing.

More recently, storytelling was a key element of the Gloria & Wilma School for Organizersheld at Smith in July as part of the college’s broader Steinem Initiative.

Kelly Anderson, oral historian for the Smith libraries, said students are increasingly using oral histories in class projects and in campus organizing around social justice issues.

“Storytelling seems to be taking off as a form of communication and a tool in political organizing,” Anderson said. “Our students value storytelling and we have a fantastic collection of feminist scholars and archives here that helps build community.”

“Voices of Change” begins at 4 pm. Friday, Sept. 25, with panel discussions in Seelye Hall on digital storytelling in the classroom, service learning and social service programs. A reception and performances will follow at 5:30 p.m in the Campus Center Carroll Room.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, conference programs on youth empowerment, and a youth summit will be held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The day’s schedule also includes performances and digital storytelling screenings.

The conference returns to Smith on Sunday, Sept. 27, for a final day of panels, workshops and performances.

The registration fee for students in the Five College network is $25. Full and partial scholarships and volunteer opportunities are available for students and nonprofit groups. For information, email dst6fivecollegse@gmail.com.