A Global Gathering for Human Prosperity in the Twin Cities
The goal of the 7th World Conference is to bring academics, civic leaders, advocates, and activists together to share research, programs, projects and innovations to remedy economic inequalities. The three day gathering will serve as a bridge between rigorous academic research outcomes and practical implementation across stakeholder communities. Expert speakers and attendees will set the stage, discuss evidence and research outcomes, and innovate solutions.
The 6th World Conference in Cape Town, S. Africa (September 2024) brought together nearly 400 global attendees representing 11 countries, 66 universities, and 33 areas of expertise ranging from public policy to art to economics, and addressed 10 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Call for Papers & Panels
Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice
Humphrey School of Public Affairs
University of Minnesota
August 3 – 5, 2026.
Submission Deadline: Friday, January 16, 2026 at 11:59pm CST
7th World Conference Registration Information
Registration Information
*The registration portal will open in late November
| Attendee Type | Early 11/12/2025 - 3/30/2026 | Regular 4/1/2026 - 5/31/2026 | Late/Onsite 6/1/26 - 8/5/26 |
| Academic/Professional | $325 | $400 | $600 |
| Student* | $100 | $100 | $100 |
*with proof of student status
10% discount to APPAM or NEA members
Cancellations/refunds must be requested by 5/1/2026 and will incur a $75 fee
Questions? Please email [email protected]
- Dra. Patrícia Gomes Rufino Andrade, Federal Espirito Santo University
- Dean Nisha Botchwey, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
- Dean Michelle Esau, University of the Western Cape
- Angela Rose Myers, University of Miami School of Law
- Samuel L. Myers, Jr., University of Minnesota
- Robyne Robinson, five X five Public Art Consultants
- Hon. Sharon Sayles Belton, former mayor, City of Minneapolis
- Amelia Shindelar, University of Minnesota
- Carrie Walling, University of Minnesota
- Jeannette Wicks-Lim, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
The Seventh World Conference will be hosted by the Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice (the Center) at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota.
Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice
Building on the legacy of American civil rights leader Roy Wilkins, the Center is dedicated to finding solutions to racial and ethnic inequality through an integrated model of research, dialogue, and community partnerships. Through its integrated model, the center guides and empowers policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and community leaders to develop and promote solutions to the problems of racism and racial and ethnic inequality locally, nationally, and globally.
Phone: +1 (612) 625-9821
Email: [email protected]
Web: hhh.umn.edu/centers/rwc
The World Conferences on Remedies to Racial & Social Inequality bring together a blend of academics, policy makers, foundation and nonprofit executives, business leaders, and community activists to consider the latest research and efforts to eradicate racism and discrimination while sharing and crafting solutions that can be applied in various geographic and organizational contexts.
First World Conference (Minneapolis, 1996)
Previous World Conferences have been held in:
- Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States (1996, 2012)
- Adelaide, Australia (1998)
- Durban, South Africa (2001)
- Vitória, Brazil (2018)
- Cape Town, South Africa (2024)
The 7th World Conference will:
- Expand global networks among academic institutions for the purpose of enriching awareness and understanding of the economic, social, and political conditions that contribute to inequalities.
- Foster dialogue and collaboration between academics, practitioners, and impacted communities to identify promising practices and strategies to remedy inequities
The 7th World Conference will produce Summary Reports for four priority tracks:
- Global Collaboration for Impact, Community, & Ubuntu
- Youth & Leadership in the 21st Century
- The Future of Prosperity and New Economic Models
- Human Rights, Dignity and the Future of Democracy
The 7th World Conference will identify key stakeholders in each track who will serve as technical assistants to communities that seek to address racial inequalities.
The 7th World Conference will survey all participants six-months after the conference to identify which strategies that were shared or inspired at the conference have been planned or implemented.
