WASHINGTON, D.C.

We Had a Great Event!

JNCL-NCLIS 2025 Language Advocacy Days
Language Shapes Leaders

Monday, March 3rd

Location

9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

A day of inspiration, connection, education, and preparation!

Activities will include:

Special welcome Address, Keynote speaker, Congressional Advocacy Panel, Networking Lunch, Delegate Assembly, Legislative Asks 2025 preparation, State team planning, Breakout sessions focused on leadership

American University

Washington College of Law

4300 Nebraska Avenue

Washington, DC 20016

Session	Time	Location
Welcome Address from JNCL-NCLIS President	9:00 to 9:15 AM	Grossman Hall
Keynote Speaker: Jacob Kushner, International Journalist	9:15 to 10:00 AM	Grossman Hall
Coffee Break Sponsored by Lingco	10:00 to 10:30 AM
Advocacy Insights from Capitol Hill	10:30 to 11:15 AM
JNCL-NCLIS Legislative Asks in 2025	11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
Lunch / Delegates Assembly / ACTFL Update Sponsored by ACTFL	12:15 to 1:15 PM
Featured Speaker : Dr. Gesche Joost, Goethe-Institut	1:15 to 1:30 PM
State Planning Meetings	1:30 to 2:00 PM
Breakout Room Introduction	2:00 to 2:15 PM
Language Shapes Leaders - Breakout Session 2 Sessions - 30 minutes each	2:15 to 3:30 PM
Getting Ready for Capitol Hill	3:30 to 4:00 PM

Tuesday, March 4th

Location

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Breakfast on your own or with your team

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

A day on the Hill:
Meetings with your members of Congress. Take our collective messages on language education policy to your members of Congress

Each attendee will take their personalized schedule and join their state teams for meetings that will be arranged for you!

the-united-states-capitol-washington-d-c-2023-11-27-05-05-15-utc.jpg

Capitol Hill

Congressional Offices

5:00 PM - 5:45 PM

JNCL-NCLIS Awards Ceremony

Planet Word Museum

925 13th St NW

Washington, DC 20005

5:45 PM - 8:00 PM

JNCL-NCLIS Language Shapes Leaders Reception

Keynote Speaker

JNCL-NCLIS Announces Keynote Speaker Jacob Kushner for Language Advocacy Days 2025

JNCL-NCLIS is thrilled to announce internationally acclaimed multilingual international journalist and author Jacob Kushner as the keynote speaker for Language Advocacy Days 2025, happening this March in Washington, DC! 🌟

With a career spanning Africa, Germany, and the Caribbean, Jacob Kushner has built a reputation for uncovering underreported stories that reveal how the powerful shape—and sometimes misshape—the lives of everyday people. A multilingual journalist fluent in Dominican Spanish, Haitian Creole, conversational German, and basic French—while currently learning Kenyan Swahili—Jacob’s work is a testament to the transformative role of multilingualism in making journalistic impact by bridging cultures, amplifying voices, and driving global awareness and understanding.

About the Keynote: Stories Without Borders

In Stories Without Borders, Jacob will explore how language is essential to connecting with people, understanding their experiences, and telling stories that need to be heard. Drawing from his career as a global journalist—one that began in his high school Spanish class—Jacob will share powerful insights from world leaders, ordinary heroes, and communities worldwide.

Why You Should Attend LAD25

Language Advocacy Days 2025 is your opportunity to discover why multilingualism and world language education build career opportunities and catalyze connection, access, and global engagement through communication. Jacob Kushner’s keynote will demonstrate how speaking the language of others allows journalists to truly articulate diverse perspectives; championing human rights and reporting on global challenges by uncovering stories shared with them in the languages of their primary sources.

Whether you’re a language professional, new to advocating, or have been in the field for many years working to sustain and grow language education, LAD25 will empower you to:

Understand the global impact of language education through the lens of career readiness and opportunity.
Connect with advocates and leaders who share a vision for a multilingual future.
Strengthen your skills in promoting language access as essential for diplomacy, equity, and cultural understanding.
Voice the need for language education support with your legislators on Capitol Hill using your unique perspective.

Featured Speaker

JNCL-NCLIS Announces Featured Speaker Professor Dr. Gesche Joost for Language Advocacy Days 2025

The Role of Language in Digital Transformation and Leadership

Professor Dr. Gesche Joost was appointed the President of the Goethe-Institut in November 2024. As Professor of Design Research at the Berlin University of the Arts, she works across disciplines at the interface of the arts and sciences. In her research, she deals with the implications of digitisation and artificial intelligence for society and examines structures of digital colonialism and growing inequality. She is active in various supervisory bodies, including the Board of Trustees of the ZKM and the Supervisory Boards of ottobock and ING DiBa. From 2015 until 2018, she represented the German government in the EU Commission as “Digital Champion”. In Berlin, she helped to establish important institutions, including the Weizenbaum Institute for the Networked Society and the Einstein Center Digital Future.

March 3-4, 2025

In-Person Washington, D.C.

Language Advocacy Days

Language Shapes Leaders

Join us for Language Advocacy Days, where we will focus on the theme "Language Shapes Leaders" and take the need for comprehensive language education funding to decision-makers on Capitol Hill. Together, we'll share powerful stories and experiences to inspire greater support for language education and its vital role in developing tomorrow's cross-cultural communication leaders who can navigate and influence an interconnected global society.

Language Advocacy Days 2025 brings together language education advocates from across the nation to synergize dynamic policy strategy and meet with members of Congress. This annual event is the only dedicated space for promoting the importance of language education with our federal legislators and policymakers. Together, we raise our voices to make a lasting impact on national language education policy at all levels, from K-12 to higher education, ensuring the nation’s multilingual capacity and global readiness through accessible language education for all.

Join us for Language Advocacy Days, our signature annual event, where we will focus on the theme "Language Shapes Leaders" and take the need for comprehensive language education funding to decision-makers on Capitol Hill. Together, we'll share powerful stories and experiences to inspire greater support for language education and its vital role in developing tomorrow's cross-cultural communication leaders who can navigate and influence an interconnected global society,

JNCL-NCLIS Language Advocacy Days event is where passionate voices unite for a powerful cause. This year marks a pivotal time of change, and we're back in Washington, D.C., in person, offering a unique opportunity for advocates to stand together, represent their states, and champion the future of language education and cultural understanding through policy.

Be Part of the Movement: Have Your Voice Heard on Capitol Hill

ABOUT LAD

As a Language Advocacy Days 2025 attendee you will explore this year's theme by:

Hearing from featured speakers from a variety of language backgrounds and experiences
Participating in activities that highlight how language learning increases our capacity to grow as a nation
Engaging in self-reflection of your own personal language experiences to develop your language advocate story and strengthen your advocacy

In addition to new programming related to this year's theme, attendees will have access to updated advocacy training and preparation materials for Congressional Meetings including sessions to:

Explore the most pressing issues facing language education policy, and how you can get involved
Share your story with legislators and other stakeholders
Develop and strengthen your advocacy skills and strategies
Network with fellow language advocates and professionals
Work collaboratively to raise the profile of language education and international studies

Share your excitement on social media using #LAD25 or click here

JNCL-NCLIS 2025 Language Advocacy Days
"Language Shapes Leaders"

Language Advocacy Days 2025 brings together language education advocates from across the nation to synergize dynamic policy strategy and meet with members of Congress. This annual event is the only dedicated space for promoting the importance of language education and multilingualism with our federal legislators and policymakers. Together, we raise our voices to make a lasting impact on national language education policy at all levels, from K-12 to higher education, ensuring the nation’s multilingual capacity and global readiness through equitably accessible language education for all.

Language Advocacy Days 2025 | Language Shapes Leaders

Now, more than ever, your voice was essential. During Language Advocacy Days 2025, advocates came together under the powerful theme, "Language Shapes Leaders." This was our moment to take action and bring the urgent need for comprehensive language education funding directly to decision-makers on Capitol Hill. Together, we amplified our stories, shared our experiences, and demonstrated that language education is fundamental to developing tomorrow’s cross-cultural leaders—individuals equipped to navigate and influence an increasingly interconnected world.

[2198] Stephanie Bellot-Donaldson 001.jpg

Thank You for Being Part of the Conversation – Your Voice Mattered!

Language Advocacy Days united advocates from across the nation, creating a powerful space to collaborate on dynamic policy strategies and engage directly with members of Congress. As the only event dedicated solely to promoting the importance of language education, we came together to make a lasting impact on national language education policy, working to ensure access for all learners from K–12 through higher education. By raising our collective voices, we took meaningful steps to enhance the nation’s language capacity and global readiness.

This year marked a crucial turning point. Gathering in Washington, D.C., passionate advocates stood together to represent their states and champion a brighter future for language education and cultural understanding through impactful policy change.

Thank you for being part of the movement. Your advocacy helped shape a future where multilingualism is celebrated and supported—from Capitol Hill and beyond.

March 3-4, 2025

In-Person Washington, D.C.

Language Advocacy Days

Thank You Top Tier 2025 Sponsors
Become an LAD & AAD sponsor today - Click Here!

Thank You Supporting 2025 Sponsors
Become an LAD & AAD sponsor today - Click Here!

Advocacy is year-round work. In Fall 2025 we will hold our virtual Advocacy Action Day (AAD)
*individual registration will open in early 2025

October 8, 2025

Virtual, Online

Advocacy Action Day

Just as a reminder, JNCL-NCLIS is hosting two major advocacy events in 2025, each offering unique opportunities to amplify your voice for language education. The chart below provides a snapshot of these events to help you engage effectively and make an impact this year.

EVENT	DATE	FORMAT	LOCATION
Language Advocacy Days	March 3-4, 2025	In-person	Washington, D.C
Advocacy Action Day	October 8, 2025	Virtual	Online

Share your excitement on social media
using #LAD25

WASHINGTON, D.C.

We Had a Great Event!

JNCL-NCLIS 2025 Language Advocacy Days
Language Shapes Leaders

Monday, March 3rd

Location

9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Tuesday, March 4th

Location

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

5:00 PM - 5:45 PM

5:45 PM - 8:00 PM

Click Here to Share Your Excitement for LAD25

Keynote Speaker

Featured Speaker

ABOUT LAD

As a Language Advocacy Days 2025 attendee you will explore this year's theme by:

Hearing from featured speakers from a variety of language backgrounds and experiences

Participating in activities that highlight how language learning increases our capacity to grow as a nation

Engaging in self-reflection of your own personal language experiences to develop your language advocate story and strengthen your advocacy

In addition to new programming related to this year's theme, attendees will have access to updated advocacy training and preparation materials for Congressional Meetings including sessions to:

Explore the most pressing issues facing language education policy, and how you can get involved

Share your story with legislators and other stakeholders

Develop and strengthen your advocacy skills and strategies

Network with fellow language advocates and professionals

Work collaboratively to raise the profile of language education and international studies

Share your excitement on social media using #LAD25 or click here

JNCL-NCLIS 2025 Language Advocacy Days
"Language Shapes Leaders"

Click here for digital program

Thank You Top Tier 2025 Sponsors
Become an LAD & AAD sponsor today - Click Here!

Thank You Supporting 2025 Sponsors
Become an LAD & AAD sponsor today - Click Here!

Advocacy is year-round work. In Fall 2025 we will hold our virtual Advocacy Action Day (AAD)
*individual registration will open in early 2025

Share your excitement on social media
using #LAD25

WASHINGTON, D.C.

We Had a Great Event!

JNCL-NCLIS 2025 Language Advocacy Days Language Shapes Leaders

Thank You Top Tier 2025 Sponsors Become an LAD & AAD sponsor today - Click Here!

Thank You Supporting 2025 Sponsors Become an LAD & AAD sponsor today - Click Here!

Advocacy is year-round work. In Fall 2025 we will hold our virtual Advocacy Action Day (AAD) *individual registration will open in early 2025

Share your excitement on social media using #LAD25

JNCL-NCLIS 2025 Language Advocacy Days
Language Shapes Leaders

Thank You Top Tier 2025 Sponsors
Become an LAD & AAD sponsor today - Click Here!

Thank You Supporting 2025 Sponsors
Become an LAD & AAD sponsor today - Click Here!

Advocacy is year-round work. In Fall 2025 we will hold our virtual Advocacy Action Day (AAD)
*individual registration will open in early 2025

Share your excitement on social media
using #LAD25