For many low-income areas and communities of color, education is regarded as the key to rebuilding our communities and overcoming injustice. So why has education policy become so divisive? In this session, panelists will draw on their experience and expertise as public school teachers, parents and advocates to guide attendees toward an understanding of the ways in which education reform has been used as a wedge issue to pit members of historically underserved communities against each other, as well as how these communities have been used by outside interests in the pursuit of other ideological goals. This will also be a space to envision how communities can come together to resist these trends and build a vision of public education that uplifts the entire community and serves our collective best interests.

Education as a Right-Wing Wedge Issue—and How to Stop It

Miss this panel? No problem! Here’s what happened.

Storified by Netroots Nation · Sat, Jun 09 2012 15:32:04

Panelists: Karran Harper Royal, Martha Infante, Sabrina Stevens, Jose Vilson

Building on investigative reporting in WIRED Magazine and the New York Times, this session will explore why a company so good at design is so lousy at high-tech manufacturing, particularly in the United States. Nearly every blogger uses a piece of hardware made overseas, sometimes in deplorable conditions. Does it matter? Does it have to be this way? Do we have an obligation to help change this? Panelists will explore the obstacles and opportunities for rebuilding a high-tech supply chain in America. The panelists will also explore what public policies are needed to recapture high-tech production jobs: trade, innovation, training and taxes. No issue crystallizes the challenges facing the American economy like Apple: great products for the creative class, but few jobs for American workers.

Your Phone Is Political

Miss this panel? No problem! Here’s what happened.

Storified by Netroots Nation · Sat, Jun 09 2012 15:10:32

Led by: Scott Paul

Panelists: Rep. David Cicilline, Dave Johnson, Marcy Wheeler

The future is now. Activists now have access to unlikely tools: satellite technology to deter mass atrocities in South Sudan, civil society leaders in Iran and Southeast Asia distributing encrypted media of demonstrations and geo-targeted apps that aid famine relief in East Africa and combat global human trafficking. Technology has transformed the way governments, corporations and movements around the world are held accountable, and it shapes how the world watches history unfold. With these advancements come increased scrutiny, privacy concerns and a battle for access to the new technology. How we continue to innovate and anticipate challenges will steer the future of human rights. This panel will discuss the power dynamics between movements and governments using technology as an accountability tool in global human rights, cases from the frontlines in humanitarian technology and why we need to create progressive policies that support innovation in human rights.

Led by: Caitlin Howarth

Panelists: Matisse Bustos Hawkes, Sabrina Hersi Issa, Emily Jacobi, Lauren Wolfe

Whether you’re looking to make your on-air debut or just want to hone your message, Punditry 101 will provide the tools you need. Experienced pundits and producers will explain how to get booked, what makes a good talking point and how you can own your airtime no matter what comes your way. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and relate personal experiences.

Punditry 101: Getting Your Message On Air

Miss this panel? No problem! Here’s what happened.

Storified by Netroots Nation · Sat, Jun 09 2012 14:31:59

Led by: Tory Brown

Panelists: Tara Dowdell, Alexis McGill Johnson, John Neffinger

This session was a big hit at Netroots Nation 2011. Our point of departure is that African-American women make up two-thirds of the black, Democratic voting bloc. Their votes are consistent but their programs are underfunded and voices routinely unheard. How can progressives expect the party to flourish without understanding this key voting block and their major influence in American culture? This session will shed light on African-American progressive women and their views on politics, policy, pop culture and scholarship to address how the Democratic party can mobilize them in 2012.

Led by: Cheryl Contee

Panelists: Kimberly 'Dr. Goddess' Ellis, Zerlina Maxwell, jenifer daniels

Over the past decade, Latino voters have increased their political power and made a decisive impact in races at all levels, including the last presidential election.  This is even more important in 2012. It has been projected that a Republican candidate needs to obtain at 40% of the Latino vote to win the Presidential election in November. President Obama, who secured 67% of the Latino vote in 2008, will again need a huge margin. Candidates from all parties have to take into consideration the issues that are important to the Hispanic population — one of which happens to be immigration.  Hispanic voters could tip the balance in several key battleground states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Florida and even Arizona. With GOP candidates for President increasingly alienating the Hispanic population with anti-immigrant rhetoric, and a current President who has increased enforcement and deported a record number of immigrants has left many people wondering — what will Latino voters do in 2012?  Find out the answer to that question, and learn about the new tool that will help you figure it out.

Latino Vote Matters: Immigration, Power, and an Interactive Look at the Map

Storified by Netroots Nation · Sat, Jun 09 2012 16:04:53

Led by: Adam Luna

Panelists: Justin Gross, Rep. Luis Gutierrez, Markos Moulitsas, Gaby Pacheco

Every year on the state and local level, the Netroots works to elect candidates to offices large and small, win victories in legislative fights and hold their elected officials accountable. Increasingly, these efforts are being matched by the building of critical internal infrastructure within legislative bodies themselves: progressive caucuses of lawmakers who are working to advance policy agendas, win messaging wars and influence the debate in their states and cities. This session brings together many involved in these efforts—from advocacy groups, city councils and state legislatures—to address critical questions and share their experiences about how state and local progressive caucuses can best work with allies to define progressive values in red and blue states alike and grow the national progressive movement.

Led by: Suman Raghunathan

Panelists: State Rep. Chris Blazejewski, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Brian Rothenberg

Come share the videos you’re working on in this open mic session. You don’t need to have submitted, been selected or curated—just come with your video on DVD or flash-drive, and you’ll get five minutes to show a clip of what you’re working on, discuss it with the audience, ask questions, answer them or discuss your next moves. This session will be hosted by filmmaker, comedian and educator Julianna Forlano, host of AbsurdityToday on AbusrdityTV.

Panelists: Julianna Forlano

Connect with like-minded folks and talk with others from your community in our identity caucuses.

Connect with like-minded folks and talk with others from your community in our identity caucuses.

Join award winning cartoonists Mat Bors, Jen Sorensen and Tom Tomorrow as they discuss satire, politics and the future of cartooning in the online era.

Led by: Tom Tomorrow

Panelists: Matt Bors, Jen Sorensen

Join us in the exhibit hall or online for a Google+ Hangout where Senator Sherrod Brown will be interviewed by Patrick Garafolo (ThinkProgress).