To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Alaska statehood and to foster awareness and appreciation of our state’s history among the emerging leaders of Alaska, the University of Alaska will convene a second Conference of Young Alaskans in January 2009.

This conference will again draw fifty-five delegates from across the state to consider the challenges facing Alaska and her people. Together, they will develop policy statements and proposed courses of action. The selected delegates will represent the voice of Alaska’s next generation of leaders and the gathering will demonstrate the potential and possibility of Alaskans putting aside their differences to work together for the common good.

This event will act as a statewide vehicle to provide Alaskans with a better understanding of how the state came to be, and will raise the level of public debate on many of the contentious issues Alaska faces today. In particular, it will recreate the atmosphere of unity and cooperation that marked the struggle for statehood.

Nomination
All nominations will be self-nominations and application documents will be posted at youngalaskans.org during October 2008 in conjunction with the Forum of Young Alaskans events. Participation in the Forum of Young Alaskans is not required but does demonstrate commitment to the process and will be considered during the selection process.

The first Conference of Young Alaskans was held in Fairbanks, January 13-16, 2006 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Alaska’s Constitutional Convention. Fifty-five delegates were selected from over 400 self-nominating essays to represent the voice of Alaska’s future. The discussion was wide ranging and the process was illuminating; many delegates have reflected that the experience was so powerful that it changed their lives.

For more information, see youngalaskans.org or contact Ian-Michael Hebert, Project Coordinator, at (907) 978-2925 or ian@iialaska.com.