About the Cambio de Colores conference

Objectives

Since 2002, the annual “Cambio de Colores” conference has convened researchers, practitioners, and community members to discuss issues influenced by Hispanic/Latino immigration in the Midwest. The conference goal is to contribute to a smooth and lasting integration of new residents and the main objectives of the conference are:

To assess community changes resulting from the presence of Hispanic/Latino residents in urban and rural Missouri;
To understand the contributions and opportunities that Hispanic residents offer to the State and its people, communities, businesses, and educational institutions;
To provide a forum addressing successes and challenges of Hispanic/Latino residents and the communities where they settle;
To identify promising practices, knowledge, and services available, as well as the gaps that exist in the State and the region.

The motto of the 2007 conference, “Everyone Together / Todos juntos,” underlines the need for all stakeholders—regardless of who they are or where they come from—to engage themselves in the process of integrating everyone in their communities.

This conference will have a bi-state flavor as the Kansas City Metropolitan Area spans five counties on both sides of the Missouri and Kansas state line. Kansas City is unique in that it is home to the largest and longest established Hispanic/Latino community in Missouri. Consequently, it is home to many Hispanic/Latino serving agencies that have operated for several decades. The conference will showcase some of these agencies through onsite visits, allowing participants the opportunity to learn about their history, successes and challenges, and approaches to accommodating the needs of Hispanic/Latino newcomers and their receiving communities.

Cambio de Colores is a collaborative effort of the University of Missouri campuses and Extension, other educational institutions in the State, and government and private organizations. It draws researchers, practitioners, and community members not only to identify and discuss current research, but also to explore hands-on, applicable practices that address critical needs and the means to replicate them.

With everyone together, it is anticipated that individuals and organizations across Missouri, specifically, and the Heartland, will more effectively and efficiently improve the quality of life for all Missouri residents through shared knowledge, resources, and capabilities.

Brief History

The Hispanic and Latin American Faculty & Staff Association of the University of Missouri-Columbia (HLAFSA), established in late 1999, took a principal role in creating and leading this conference series, with the enthusiastic support of the University of Missouri System institutions, and the collaboration of many organizations in Missouri. Since 2005, the Cambio Center for Research and Outreach on Latinos and Changing Communities is the main organizer of this annual effort. The Cambio Center was established by the University of Missouri-Columbia in the fall of 2004.

The groundbreaking, three-day event took place in March 2002 at the University of Missouri-Columbia: “Cambio de colores (Change of Colors). Latinos in Missouri: A call to action!” A synthesis of the experiences, facts and knowledge derived from this conference is the monograph Cambio de Colores. Immigration of Latinos to Missouri, which remains a state-of-the-art publication (available for download at the Conference Library). Currently, printed proceedings of the other annual conferences are in preparation.

In 2003, “Cambio de colores (Change of Colors). Latinos in Missouri: Neighbors in Urban and Rural Communities,” convened at the campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In 2004, “Cambio de colores (change of colors). Latinos in Missouri: Gateway to a New Community” was hosted by the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

In 2005,“Cambio de colores (change of colors). Latinos in Missouri: Connecting Research to Policy and Practice - Hoy y mañana” returned to the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia. In 2006, “Cambio de Colores (Change of Colors) – Latinos in Missouri: Beyond Borders” convened again in Columbia, marking the fifth successful gathering.

The diverse and enthusiastic participation in these very inclusive events is demonstrating the relevance and the urgency of addressing today the challenges and the opportunities that arise in Missouri and other Midwestern states, as Latinos and other newcomers settle as workers, entrepreneurs, families and members of communities.

Currently, the main institutional support for the conference comes from the Cambio Center for Research and Outreach on Latinos and Changing Communities in Missouri, established by the University of Missouri-Columbia in the fall of 2004.

Institutional support for the 2007 conference is being provided by the University of Missouri-Kansas City, especially through the Alianzas program, a joint effort of the Institute of Human Development and the University of Missouri Extension service.

This page updated:
15 February, 2007