Educators are calling it a groundbreaking conference in Alberta, aimed at empowering gay and straight students to go to school together in harmony.

About 60 students and teachers were part of the first ever Gay-Straight Student Alliance Conference in Edmonton today, featuring workshops at speeches aimed at youth advocacy, anti-oppression education and overcoming bullying.

University of Alberta Professor Kristopher Wells with the conference said with over 40 gay-straight student alliances in Alberta, the future looks promising.

“These student-groups are saving lives of young people,” he said. “Instead of finding hostile hallways, they’re finding places of support within their schools and what’s quite remarkable about these gay-straight alliances, they’re part of a larger cultural movement happening across North America.”

Wells adds there is work going on for a conference next year in Calgary.

Guests included Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk and keynote speaker, musician Rae Spoon.