Representing Hope Conference 2012
On May 29-30, 2012, 150 representatives of the the legal, medical, education, business, government, and nonprofit sectors convened to develop strategies for how the legal system can address issues that perpetuate poverty. Co-hosted by the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission, Clinton School of Public Service, and the UALR Bowen School of Law, the conference gave participants a hand in shaping future directions for the Commission’s work.
Small workgroup discussions were the conference’s centerpiece. A total of ten groups met, each discussing one of seven topic areas, including housing, hunger, and access to education. Each group examined multidisciplinary approaches to key issues that correlate strongly with poverty and developed specific recommendations. Those recommendations will provide a foundation for the Commission as it develops a strategic plan for the delivery of legal services in Arkansas.
In the meantime, we are providing on this site all materials that came out of the conference, including a compilation of the workgroup recommendations. Please also feel free to check out pictures, videos, speech transcripts, and links to media coverage from this inspiring two-day event.
Thank you again to our participants, speakers, and sponsors for making Representing Hope: New Paradigms for Access to Justice a successful conference!
Our original conference materials and transcripts are available below so that our conference agenda, speaker bios, and other event information can be accessed.
Introduction
More Arkansans than ever before are living in poverty. Courts are seeing steady increases in the numbers of individuals who are unable to afford attorneys to help them navigate legal issues involving basic human needs. Meaningful access to civil legal help can eliminate barriers that often prevent low-income Arkansans from accessing such services as health care, education, proper nutrition, and housing. Likewise, meaningful access to these services can diminish the need for legal intervention. The intersection of these issues among the poor necessarily calls for multidisciplinary approaches if we are to succeed in reducing poverty in Arkansas.
The Arkansas Access to Justice Commission, Clinton School of Public Service, and William H. Bowen School of Law are co-hosting a conference May 29-30, 2012, that will bring together members of the legal, medical, education, business, government, and nonprofit sectors to develop strategies for how the legal system can address issues that perpetuate poverty. The conference will include speakers and work groups that will focus on such topics as education, health, housing, and hunger. U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens will offer the closing keynote address at the conclusion of the conference. There is no cost to participate.
