For the first time in NCFR history, human rights are the focus of our annual conference. The theme, "Families and Human Rights: Promise and Vulnerability in the 21st Century," will provide conference attendees with an excellent opportunity to showcase and explore research, theory, teaching, and practices that focus on issues facing diverse families both globally and in our own backyards.

To help emphasize human rights challenges, I used the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for the conference. My objective is to engage conference participants in solution-focused, inspiring discussions on topics such as poverty, hunger, access to education, gender inequality, climate change, incarceration, discrimination, and displacement.

Our four plenary speakers will help us take a deeper look at the dire issues facing families. I am thrilled our invitation has been accepted by Ms. Alicia Garza, cofounder of the Black Lives Matter movement; Dr. Mary Burke, an expert on human trafficking; Dr. Lisa Sun-Hee Park, who studies the connection between environmental justice and immigrant families; and Ms. Saida Abdi, a licensed social worker at Boston's Children Hospital who treats refugee trauma and studies the radicalization of Somali youth.

Minneapolis provides a relevant context for the November conference as family practitioners, scholars, activists, and policymakers across the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota address human trafficking, the radicalization of youth, race, and policing. We are actively reaching out and encouraging local family professionals to join us at the November conference to share their best practices and insights. It's important we hear from all of you working in the field.

In addition, many conference sessions are planned that reflect the interdisciplinary nature of scholarship in Family Science, highlighting topics such as parenting, couple relationships, child development, family health, family policy, and many more. You'll find more session highlights throughout this issue of NCFR Report.

This remarkable 2016 conference is only possible thanks to those of you who submitted presentations. Submissions hit an all-time high this year, and they have resulted in an exceptional program. I am forever grateful to NCFR section chairs, Students and New Professionals (SNP) representatives, Theory Construction and Research Methodology (TCRM) Workshop chairs, affiliate councils representatives, the Inclusion and Diversity Committee, NCFR President Bill Allen, and of course the amazing NCFR staff who all dedicated endless hours to help organize the program. The conference would not be possible without everyone's hard work and leadership.

I'm excited to see you all in Minneapolis for an engaging and inspiring conference experience!