Street paper delegates from around the world are on their way to Glasgow for the 16th INSP Conference. The event 'The Street Paper Success Story: The Next Chapter’ starts tomorrow and ends with the renowned International Street Paper Awards on Friday night.
Over 80 street paper delegates from 29 countries will attend the event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, along with high profile workshop leaders and guests from the UK and international media, government and business. This year's conference will include many special events, including the bi-annual International Street Paper Awards and a special photography project 'Eyes of the Street'.
Lisa Maclean, Executive Director of INSP welcomes all the delegates arriving in Glasgow, but also all of those who cannot be present but are following the conference online: "On behalf of the INSP staff and board, I am delighted to welcome our members to INSP's 16th annual conference. We've come a long way since we held our last conference here in Glasgow in 2008, and this week we will begin to look to the next chapter of the street paper success story."
She continued: "This year we will have the opportunity to develop our potential for international campaigning and position INSP more strategically as a voice for global justice. We will also move forward our plans for international advertising and fundraising."
After the re-launch of Street News Service last year, the delegates will reflect on the work that has been done and look closer at ways of securing the future growth of the service as one of INSP's most unifying, global projects.
Following the success of last year's practical training day, a small group of street papers will again have the opportunity to take part in this additional workshop session on Tuesday, with support from the INSP board and local Big Issue staff. As always, there will also be plenty of time for members to showcase projects, build partnerships and network informally.
Delegates will also be treated to a range of exciting evening activities, including a welcome reception at Glasgow City Council and a BBQ at a local community enterprise. INSP will also launch its very special 'Eyes of the Street' vendor photography exhibition. All of last week, professional photographers have working alongside vendors of The Big Issue Scotland to document their daily lives. This special evening will give delegates a chance to meet vendors and see the results of their work. And finally, the International Street Paper awards are back this year - the perfect way to end the week.
