The 2023 YDSA & DSA Conference will be held from Friday, April 14th to Sunday, April 16th in Chicago, IL. The theme of this conference is Socialism is the Future– join us in April to learn the skills, build the relationships, and develop the organization that will win a better world for all!
The YDSA Conference is an annual event for young socialists to gather for political education, organizing training, keynote speakers, panels, and more. YDSA is the campus-focused youth and student section of the Democratic Socialists of America.
This year we’re excited to be joined by organizers from DSA’s National Labor Committee and National Electoral Committee! This means you’ll have even more experienced organizers to connect with and more workshop opportunities to learn from. This is the first time a DSA and YDSA conference will be combined, so you won’t want to miss it!
Registration
Discounted, early-bird registration will close Friday, February 24th, 2023. In the unfortunate event that something comes up and you can no longer attend, we can refund the registration fee. Registration will close Friday, March 31st, 2023.
Scholarships and Solidarity Housing
We offer limited scholarships for attendees who cannot travel or attend the conference without solidarity funding. The deadline to apply for travel scholarships is Friday, March 17th, 2023. Please fill out this form to request a scholarship. Note: Scholarships do not cover registration fees.
Additionally, we may be able to connect you with a local DSA member who can offer free solidarity housing. If you’d like to request solidarity housing, please fill out this form. With Covid-19 still presenting a risk, it’s important to stay conscious and considerate of your hosts and roommates. We ask that you please stay as safe as possible, and wear a mask as often as possible. Please see our COVID-19 safety policy below for more details on testing, vaccination, and mask requirements.
Workshops and Speakers
Like many other things in YDSA, volunteers make this conference a meaningful, engaging, and safe experience for every attendee. We need all hands on deck to make sure that the 2023 Conference has the best programming possible. Right now, the Conference Committee is brainstorming workshop ideas and recruiting workshop leaders and design volunteers. And with the addition of DSA’s National Labor Committee and National Electoral Committee, you can also look forward to workshops dedicated to these topics!
We will share updates on workshops and speakers as they’re confirmed. Check this page for updates.
COVID-19 Safety
We take the threat of COVID-19 transmission very seriously and are taking the following precautions to minimize spread at the conference:
- ALL attendees, speakers, volunteers and staff are required to provide proof of full COVID vaccination with at least one booster, with no exceptions.
- ALL attendees, speakers, volunteers and staff will be required to submit a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of the beginning of the conference. Tests MUST be taken at a testing facility
- We cannot accept at-home test results. PCR and rapid tests will both be accepted, so long as they are obtained at a testing facility.
- Masks will be required at the conference all times, except during meals.
Contact
You can get in touch with us by emailing [email protected] We welcome your questions and feedback!