​14th​​ Annual Youth & Peace Conference

“Protecting Our Classmates:

Addressing Safety, Mental Health and Equity in Schools”

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Friday,​ February 6, 2026

8:15AM - 2:20PM

Pima Community College West Campus 

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Submit your proposal by noon on Friday, February 6, 2026

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The Annual Youth & Peace Conference (YPC) prioritizes youth leadership and youth voice, with a Youth Leadership Team taking responsibility for choosing the title and theme for each conference and selecting workshops, speakers, performers, dialogue circles, and other activities to highlight that title and theme.

 

YPC Youth Leadership Team members have identified their title for the 14th Annual YPC: “Protecting Our Classmates: Addressing Safety, Mental Health & Equity in Schools,” and chosen the following four themes for this youth-led conference:

1. Youth Mental Health

2. Social Media Safety

3. Substance Misuse Prevention

4. Gun Violence Prevention

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Youth across the globe are calling for action, tools, and collaboration to address these pressing issues. Mental health challenges are the leading cause of poor health and poor life outcomes in young people. In recent years, we've seen significant increases in mental health challenges and substance misuse among youth. In addition, youth have increasing concern about gun violence and other safety issues.

 

The YPC Youth Leadership Team is seeking 1-hour workshop proposals to educate and empower youth about any of the four themes and the title they have selected for this conference.

 

During our workshop selection process, the Youth Leadership Team, along with the YPC Workshop Committee, will prioritize workshops that are participatory and focus on supporting the voices and lived experiences of their youth participants. We are looking specifically for workshops that utilize YOUTH-led or YOUTH co-presenters, as well as time in participatory, engaging interactive activities, and innovative strategies. Workshops should be interactive and include activities such as small-group discussions, artistic project-display, games, polls, and surveys.

 

The Workshop Committee will be happy to assist you in incorporating these activities into your workshops. We encourage workshop presenters to include at least one youth as part of their presentation team. Youth-led workshops are particularly welcome.

 

If you are interested in conducting an hour-long workshop at the 14th Annual YPC on Feb. 6, 2026, please complete the Workshop Proposal Form by noon, Arizona time on Friday, Dec. 12. The form asks for a title and description of your workshop, along with a brief bio for the presenter(s) and other needed information. 

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We will inform you of our decision by Dec. 22, 2025. If we receive similar workshop proposals, we may ask about your interest in co-presenting on the topic. And the Youth Leadership Team, after reviewing your proposal, may want to request some changes in your workshop description, objectives, title, etc. to better fit their vision and leadership for this conference.

 

Thank you for your interest in making this youth-led conference meaningful, safe, and successful.  

 

For any questions, contact YPC Workshop Committee Lead, Amy D'Arpino (amydarpino@yahoo.com)

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