Liberal democracy is crumbling before our eyes: undermined by the resurgence of the far-right, hollowed out by a failure of institutions to evoke trust, and eroded by post-truth culture. This comes at a time of intersecting crises: ecological and climate breakdown, growing inequality, widespread disempowerment, and potential societal collapse. An increasing number of people in society are not getting their material needs met, and stories that used to convince are no longer holding. 

So where to go from here? How can we build more collective power between groups working for a healthy democracy within the UK? How can we further create diverse, regenerative, and powerful movements that can achieve greater impact, and ultimately, system change? We believe collective learning, collaboration and network building are essential to achieve that – and yet we often remain siloed. We know that talking about the virtues of democracy alone will not be sufficient to reinvigorate our democracy. 

In this course, we'll come together with key players in the UK’s democracy movement to make sense of where we’re at as a movement and how power structures and alliances are shifting within the UK and globally. We’ll identify key strengths and weaknesses, possible points of intervention and disruption, and explore emerging opportunities to shape and build collective power within a complex political landscape. 

We invite changemakers of all kinds to learn how to think like a movement ecologist!

During this three-day course, you will

• up your strategy game by seeing the democracy movement as a complex, living, dynamic ecosystem

• map your place and that of other organisations within the democracy movement to identify possible actions and next steps

• see the ‘twilight of neoliberalism’, the rise of the far-right and the democracy movement through the lens of hegemony theory

• explore the constraints of the systems you want to influence and generate tangible interventions

• understand of how stories have the power to reinforce or undermine systems of oppression

• reflect on how the identities we hold can enrich, limit or liberate us

• work on strategic challenges and opportunities you and your organisation are currently facing 

• take steps towards a collective plan to strengthen the democracy movement

In addition to diving into theory and practical exercises, you'll have the opportunity to connect with other change-makers and build new relationships. Join us and become part of a community working together for a more resilient democracy that serves the people! 

Find out more about the Movement Ecology Collective on our website or follow us on LinkedIn.

Who is this course for?

• Activists, campaigners, changemakers of all kinds working within electoral politics, in local councils, and towards alternative models of democracy, including direct and deliberative initiatives from local to national levels. 

• You will gain the most benefit from this course if you are already working on a project. It's OK if your project is in the early stages, but an outline of the vision and goals are essential. 

Venue

• Address: Pelican House, 144 Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London, E1 5QJ

• Accommodation: You will need to find your own accommodation.

• Accessibility: The space is fully wheelchair accessible.

Quotes from people who have attended this course

• "I felt re-energised to go and reach out to those that can help us on our mission to embark the masses to fight Climate Change. I have already started on some of the points we did map out and I have to say that these 2 days have given me more determination then ever."

• "[Leaving feeling] more connected to [my] community. More shared language with colleagues to talk more directly about how to focus our future planning...this feels good :)"

• "[I enjoyed] learning about hegemony theory and the timeline was a big eye opener! The mapping was a big moment for me to and I felt really motivated afterwards."

• "Feeling reconnected and clear about how to lead the movement and some great tools to widen thinking with our group"

• "There were lot's of cool connecting the dots moments. I chew over these puzzle pieces so much and it was satisfying to learn how the puzzle pieces can slot together into neater configurations, and then be broken up into new ones."

• "Finally the ‘left’ is looking at things differently and trying to work together."

• "It made me realise how important all our work is, across all social movements and all those organising for a better world. It feels like that's already providing the basis on which something new could grow."

REGISTRATION

To register for this course, please reserve a ticket here on TicketTailor. We’ll be in touch for any further details.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: 11AM, 9 JANUARY

PAYMENT

This workshop is given in the spirit of the solidarity economy so that we can make it available and accessible for everyone. Here is our sliding scale to give you an idea of what you might pay:

• £0 – Bursary: If money is a barrier for you, there are free seats available for the workshop. This is mainly for individuals without organisational backing.

• £250 – Solidarity: A subsidised fee for those with less financial means. This is also suitable for small organisations.

• £500 – Full cost: How much it costs for us to provide a place on this course. This is the fee for medium organisations.

• £750 – Redistribution: An opportunity for those with more financial means to support bursaries and solidarity seats. This is the fee for large organisations.

If you have any questions, please contact us at: hello@movementecology.org.uk