<p>
	Conference speakers will apply their expertise to the following conference sessions:</p>
<h2>
	Session I: An Overview of the Interface between Missions, Development and Earthkeeping</h2>
<p>
	The theological foundation, overview, and examples of the use and importance of critical earthkeeping skills in missions and development work. The presentation is followed by a 20 minute discussion and analysis led by the speaker in which participants further explore the connection between specific earthkeeping skills and practical efforts required in developing stable communities, planting churches, and fostering economically viable communities in rural settings in developing countries.</p>
<p>
	<em>Speaker</em>: Laura Meitzner-Yoder, Professor of Sustainability and Environmental Education, Merry Lea Environmental Center, Goshen College</p>
<h2>
	Session II: Case Studies: Working Effectively to Integrate Missions, Development and Environment</h2>
<p>
	Development practitioners offer case studies on the conceptual and organizational framework for principles of interaction and integration of missions, development and the environment in water resources, sustainable agriculture, and ecological restoration. Presentations would be followed by a 15 minute discussion and analysis of the case histories by participants.</p>
<p>
	<em>Speakers</em>: Scott Sabin, Executive Director, Plant with Purpose; Bill Deutsch, Director, Global Water Watch; David Unander, Professor of Biology, Eastern University; David Unander, Eastern University</p>
<h2>
	Session III: Integrating Environmental Studies into Existing Missions and Development Curriculum</h2>
<p>
	What considerations should we have when integrating earthkeeping into missions and development curricula? &nbsp;Presenters address the specific needs, challenges, and opportunities for creating a missions and development curriculum fully integrated with environmental knowledge and skills, the specific kinds of courses needed to create such a program, and examples of programs in which this integration has been accomplished.</p>
<p>
	<em>Speakers</em>: David Warners, Department of Biology, Calvin College; Grace Ju Miller, Department of Biology, Indiana-Wesleyan University; Fred Van Dyke, Executive Director, Au Sable Institute; and Dieter Bouma, Communications, Development and Recruitment Coordinator, Au Sable Institute</p>
<h2>
	Session IV: Exploring Further the Interface Between Missions, Development and Earthkeeping</h2>
<p>
	A faculty panel who direct or participate in missions and development programs at Christian colleges respond to and evaluate remarks of the Session I speaker, exploring and elaborating key points, opportunities and challenges for understanding the interface between missions, development and the environment and the best ways and means to incorporate these connections into college curricula in missions and development.</p>
<p>
	<em>Speakers</em>: David Warners, Department of Biology, Calvin College; Grace Ju Miller, Department of Biology, Indiana-Wesleyan University</p>
<h2>
	Session V: Creating an Integrated Curriculum of Missions, Development and Environment</h2>
<p>
	Missions and development directors share their answers to, reflections on, and experiences in creating effective curricula connecting missions, development and environment. Specific obstacles to receiving approval for and implementing such curricula are identified, and the means through which such obstacles can be overcome. The final 20 minutes of the session is devoted to synthesizing the participants&rsquo; answers into specific recommendations for curricular development and content.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	<em>Moderator</em>: Ron Oakerson, Professor of Political Science and former Academic Vice President and Dean, Houghton College</p>
<h2>
	Session VI: Case Study: Integrating Earthkeeping into a Missions and Development Curriculum</h2>
<p>
	Participants in Session V complete a case study integrating earthkeeping into a missions and development curriculum at one of Au Sable&rsquo;s participating colleges, considering in greater detail general and institution-specific problems to developing, approving, implementing, and managing such programs in an institutional setting.</p>
<p>
	<em>Moderator</em>: Ron Oakerson, Professor of Political Science and former Academic Vice President and Dean, Houghton College</p>
