More than 2,500 people attended the Marion Institute’s Connecting for Change: A Bioneers by the Bay Conference last weekend.

The three-day event drew people from across New England to consider solutions to problems in the areas of social justice, diversity, the environment, health, and much more.

Attendees included a group of Lehman College students who arrived to the conference for the first time, and left inspired by the programs. Located in the Bronx, the school is part of the City University of New York.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Neralda Zuniga, a business administration major. “I thought it was going to be more about community service.”

Keynote speaker Tanya Fields stood out for Zuniga. Fields founded the BLK Projek in 2009 in response to sexist policies, wealth inequality, and policies she says prevents women from escaping poverty.

Fields’ workshop, which was called “Diversity is Not Inclusion: The Food System and Economic Inequalities,” challenged people to consider a food system that would reject racism, sexism, and classism.

“It made you want to go out and do something,” said Zuniga.

The conference featured one workshop that left Lehman student Muhammed Kajakeh thinking about what is possible when you break apart a complex problem.

In “Drumming for Change” Monique Morimoto led participants in a drumming exercise.  Through rhythm, guided visualization, and speech she showed how to navigate changes a group.

When tackling change, Kajakeh said he learned to start small and go from there. “You can create change, but it doesn’t come easy. It helps to start by getting some rhythm first,” he said.

This was the third year the college has sent students to Connecting for Change, said the school’s Director of Community Engagement Amanda Dubois.

Each year, a new group of students attends. For some it’s a transformational experience.

“I’ve seen some students change their majors after coming here,” she said. Students who haven’t been often ask her what the conference is like: “I couldn’t explain it to them. I tell them they have to experience it for themselves.”

Now in its ninth year, the conference creates awareness about a variety of inter-connected issues, said Brooke Syvertsen, the Connecting for Change conference manager

While problems explored ranged from women and youth empowerment to the environment, the focus is on social justice and delving into the “root cause” of issues. Only then can a solution be developed she said.

“We’re not just talking about the problem. We are more interested in identifying the root cause of the solution, for example taking pills to treat an illness doesn’t make you healthy, it just treats the symptoms of the disease,” said Syvertsen.

Connecting for Change took place on Oct. 25, 26, and 27 in downtown New Bedford. Workshops were held in spaces near the Zeitron Theater, which was also the venue for many of the keynote speakers.

Outside, games and free presentations were held for anyone to attend.

This year, a sliding pay scale was introduced for the first time. People paid what they could in order to attend. The move was meant to attract a wide range of attendees.

“We did that to encourage more people to arrive,” Syversten said. “We need everyone at the table.”

Partners and sponsors for the Connecting for Change included Arjuna Capital, Baldwin Brothers, Bioneers, and Cape Cod 5, among others.

For more information on the Marion Institute, visit www.marioninstitute.org.