The multifaceted Yale-West Point Civ-Mil Service Symposium included over 50 speakers, keynote addresses by three retired generals, and 11 panel-led breakout sessions covering a diverse range of topics including: Sustainability and Environmentalism as National Security Imperatives, Warfighters and War Reporters, and Veterans in the Arts. In addition to attendees affiliated with Yale and West Point (including a fair number who were alumni of both institutions), also present were those from Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, Georgetown and other universities. We also had alumni from the different military service academies and representatives from several veterans service organizations and various civic and non-governmental institutions, as well as business leaders hailing from Wall Street to Main Street. It was truly a significant and impactful gathering.
While everyone who was involved in planning and executing the Symposium are thrilled with how things turned, we also recognize that, long term, there is still much to do. Spearheaded by the Yale Veterans Summit (2015) and culminating in the recent Symposium, all of this is part of a continuum and larger ongoing effort to engage and galvanize a growing coalition of universities, businesses, organizations and individuals dedicated to supporting veterans and improving US civil-military relations.
Thankfully, our ongoing efforts are yielding more allies and stakeholders. Because of the example established by Yale (and West Point) with the Symposium, alumni veterans from other universities, most notably Harvard and Princeton, have expressed a strong interest in organizing and hosting a similar event at their respective campuses, and partnering up in other ways. We look forward to the exciting collaborative possibilities ahead! Please reach out directly to discuss. Scroll down to click the image below to view program outline in full screen or click here to view photos from the event.
