WE RISE 2025

How can we organise collectively for a better world? Join young people from across the country for We Rise - a free national gathering for anyone under 30. 

This year's speakers:

• Irene Vélez Torres: former energy minister of Colombia, a country pioneering progressive policies in an era of ecological crisis
• Mitzi Jonelle Tan: Filipina climate justice activist
• Siân Berry MP: Green Party, Brighton Pavilion
• Zoe Gardner: renowned migrant rights campaigner and researcher
• Adam Hanieh: author of Crude Capitalism, a vital book uncovering the oil industry’s central role in the imperial global economy
• Elia Ayoub: Lebanese writer and journalist, co-founder of From the Periphery media collective and The Fire These Times podcast
• Seema Syeda: Co-author, Creeping Fascism
• Nick Dearden: Global Justice Now director and author of Pharmanomics

Subsidised travel and accommodation are available, see details below.

Expect a welcoming atmosphere with interactive and lively workshops, great food and DJs too. There’ll be deep dives into topics like Palestine and the Middle East, climate justice economics, and critical minerals in the neo-colonial world trade system. Sessions will also tackle urgent issues such as ‘Strategies for resisting Israeli Apartheid’ and ‘From Trump to Reform: Are we creeping towards fascism?’.

But there’s some real hope for change too, with sessions on ‘Ecosocialist alternatives from Colombia and the global south’ and organising to end the fossil fuel era. And you can get creative in a block printing workshop, where you can design and print your own protest signs or t-shirts.

The event will be a space to not only explore the key injustices of our time – from neo-colonial climate injustice to the genocide in Palestine – but also to look at what we can do to confront the rules which govern our global economy and the super-rich that profit from it – a chance to come together to start creating a world of climate, economic and social justice.

It’s a free event and you’re welcome whether new to activism or already involved. The event is organised by Global Justice Youth and Sussex University Students’ Union.

Please read our Intentional Spaces Policy

Practical info and help with travelling to the event:

Travel subsidies
Travel subsidies are available for those traveling from outside the local area. You can claim 50% of your fare from Global Justice Now if it is £100 or less, with a minimum of a £10 personal contribution. The nearest station is Falmer, which is a ten minute train from Brighton. Please use a railcard where possible and use cheaper routes. The lower we keep costs; the more people we can support! To claim your subsidy by bank transfer, email your travel receipt and bank details (name, sort code, and account number) to alfie.howis@globaljustice.org.uk. Alfie can also answer questions and discuss extra help in certain circumstances.

Accommodation
Subsidised accommodation in Brighton for the night of Saturday 15 February is available for as little as £10. Space is limited, please email alfie.howis@globaljustice.org.uk to request. Priority will be given to those travelling a long distance who cannot travel home on the day. You are welcome to apply for accommodation as a group.

Accessibility
Every floor of the venue is wheelchair accessible and there are accessible toilets on each floor. We will have a Welfare Officer present all day. There is more accessibility info about the venue online, but if you have any particular access requirements or questions, email sam.lund-harket@globaljustice.org.uk.