Guided by our values, NAFSA uses its annual and regional conferences to expand ongoing dialogue and create opportunities for constructive engagement in different cities and states across the United States. Our mission supports all of our members, students, and colleagues, ensuring we meet them wherever they live and work.
Given the political climate in this country, this means that we likely find ourselves in areas where there are actions and policies that are not aligned with NAFSA’s core values: academic freedom, social justice, and respect for diverse viewpoints. We also recognize that, as a result, some public employees are restricted from traveling to these states. The reality is that political winds are constantly changing, and the size and geography of our community requires us to secure locations for the annual conference 5 to 7 years in advance.
We take our values with us wherever we go. In partnership with local organizations in each host city, we use our platform and conference programming to affirm our commitment to constructive conversations, social justice, and DEI work through meaningful action. Creating space for differing perspectives is at the heart of our work, and international educators are on the front lines, building bridges across campuses and communities. We must not allow our voices to be silenced, and we must support our members who live in places where content and discourse have been limited.