The conference, "I am Safe - Protecting the Space we call Childhood" is a follow up to two earlier 'sold out' events in 2002 and 2005. We are confident, based on early reaction, that the 2007 conference will also be well received and that it will likely sell out!

We want to be able to provide as many people as possible with the opportunity to take advantage of the Early Bird registration rate.

The conference will raise awareness about bullying and victimization behaviours and share best practices from leading international experts. We will attempt to address critical areas relating to character education, special targeted groups, and highlight the critical involvement of youth and other stakeholders.

In addition to presentations from renowned international experts, hands on learning opportunities, youth engagement, live theatre, video presentations, plenary sessions and practical information we will provide the opportunity for delegates to consider a move towards a holistic, integrated community model of bullying prevention.

For more information please visit: http://iamsafe.ca/conference_menu_en.php

Conference features include:

• World renowned speakers
• Eighteen plenary sessions - and then some!
• Lunch provided on day two featuring special guests (to be announced in soon!)
• Evening networking dessert/cocktails program on day one followed by an outstanding program of speakers and artists (to be announced in January)
• Networking opportunities
• Conference print materials
• The voices of youth will be heard from the podium
• Theatre, dance and video presentations (three as we go to press)
• Canada's capital in April
• Sunday evening complementary wine and appetizers
• Key note presentations will be offered in English and French
• One plenary session in each section will be offered in French

Speakers Include:

• Craig Scott: Craig attended Columbine High School with his 17-year-old sister, Rachel Joy Scott. He was in the school's library minutes before the rampage began and there was no way for him to escape what was destined to be the worst school shooting in U.S. history. While Craig escaped alive, his sister Rachel did not. Craig has dedicated a major part of his life to spreading his message around the world and all major national television programs in the United States. The "Rachel's Promise" program is a key part of anti bullying efforts in thousands of American schools.
• Debra Pepler: Debra is arguably the "Dean" of bullying and victimization research in Canada and renowned the world over for her work in this, and other areas of anti social behaviour.
• Michele Borba: A sought-after motivational speaker, she has presented workshops and keynote addresses throughout North American, Europe, Asia and the South Pacific and has served as an educational consultant to hundreds of schools, and organizations. Her proposal: "Ending School Violence and Student Bullying" (SB1667) was signed into California law in 2002.
• Helen Cowie: Helen is Director of the Observatory for the Promotion of Non-Violence in the United Kingdom. She is a research professor in the European Institute of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Surrey and also Co-coordinator of Violence in Schools Training Action (VISTA).
• Anthony D. Pellegrini: Anthony is Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota and author of "The Role of Recess in Children's Development and Education" and other titles. He is an expert in the area of child play and interaction.
• David Wolfe: David books include "Adolescent Risk Behaviors: Why Teens Experiment and Strategies to Keep Them Safe" (with P. Jaffe & C. Crooks) and "Child Abuse: Implications for Child Development and Psychopathology" (with E. Mash).
• Hetty van Gurp: Hetty is the 2006 recipient of the prestigious Readers Digest "Heroes" Award for Education. She is the author of several books and countless educational materials. Her accomplishments are the subject of a National Film Board of Canada documentary film entitled "Teaching Peace in a Time of War".
• Mark Totten: Dr. Totten has authored over 25 books, academic articles and government reports on youth issues, including "Guys, Gangs and Girlfriend Abuse" (2000) and "When Children Kill: A Social - Psychological Study on Youth Homicide" (with K. Kelly, 2002), published by Broadview Press.
• Tina Daniels: Dr. Daniels's research interests focus on social aggression in girls and the dynamics of girl's social relationships especially amongst close friends.
• Shaheen Shariff: Dr. Shariff is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. She has published numerous journal articles and book chapters on cyber-bullying, and is also writing two books on this topic.
• Cathy Wing: Cathy is an internationally recognized expert in the area of children's use of the Internet. She is Director of Education for the Media Awareness Network (MNet), Canada's leading media education organization.

The May 2002 conference was called "Fear and Loathing" and it sold out! The reviews were outstanding!

The March 2005 conference was called "Beyond Rhetoric" and it sold out! The reviews were outstanding!

The April 2007 conference is called "I am Safe" and we are confident that it will sell out. We will work hard to produce outstanding reviews.

We have a complementary anti bullying newsletter that goes out every three weeks to over 3,700 subscribers, primarily educators, across Canada and around the world. Please let us know if you would like to be added to the list.