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Millersville University will host its 5th Annual Sustainable Development Goals Conference on Thursday, June 5, 2025, focusing on “Building Safer Communities: Reducing Community and School Violence.” This one-day conference will take place at The Ware Center in downtown Lancaster, PA from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing together policymakers, community leaders and advocates, agency heads and staff, and educators to address one of today’s most pressing social challenges.
Community violence remains a profound and urgent challenge impacting individuals and families across our region, the Commonwealth, and the nation. In Pennsylvania alone, community violence results in the injury or loss of 4,600 lives each year, according to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. While collaboration across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors has led to important progress, critical gaps remain.
This conference aims to facilitate dialogue on innovative solutions, best practices, and resource sharing to promote peace, justice, and community safety in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
“Our annual SDG Conference has become a vital platform for cross-sector collaboration on urgent social issues,” said Dr. Victor DeSantis, Vice President of University Relations and Strategic Initiatives. “This year’s focus on building safer communities reflects our institution’s commitment to fostering environments where everyone can live, learn, and thrive without fear of violence.”
The day-long event will feature keynote addresses from regional experts on violence prevention and community resilience, interactive workshops led by community and school safety innovators, panel discussions with local and regional leaders, networking opportunities for participants and a resource fair showcasing tools and programs for violence reduction.
Conference participants will explore various approaches to reducing violence, trauma-informed community building, successful school safety initiatives, and collaborative models that have shown measurable results in communities across the region and the Commonwealth.
Registration is now open at https://www.millersville.edu/ceged/events/. Early bird registration rates are available until May 1, 2025. Cost is $20 per person, and event registration includes light breakfast and lunch.
About the SDG Conference Series
Millersville University’s annual SDG Conference series, launched in 2021, brings together diverse stakeholders to address critical challenges related to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Each year, the conference focuses on a specific aspect of sustainable development, providing a platform for dialogue, learning, and collective action.
About The Ware Center
The Ware Center, located in the heart of downtown Lancaster, is Millersville University’s center for visual and performing arts, community engagement, and cultural enrichment. The facility provides an ideal setting for collaborative discussions and community-focused events.
Contact: Dr. Victor DeSantis, Vice President of University Relations and Strategic Initiatives, Millersville University, 717.871.5955, victor.desantis@millersville.edu https://www.millersville.edu/ceged/events/
