Fighting to Win
A Ten Week Course for Union and Community Activists Facilitated by John Clarke, Former Organizer with the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP).
Unions and social movements today are operating in a very challenging situation. There is great economic uncertainty, the worsening impact of climate change and a global situation marked by the growing threat of conflict and war. When workers strike or communities under attack take to the streets, it seems that victories are much much harder to win and past gains more difficult to defend.
This course will grapple with these questions by looking at the forms of exploitation and oppression that exist in society and the means by which the power structure acts to limit and contain our struggles. The course will move towards a discussion of how our movements can overcome the factors that hold them back and to fight to win!
This is not a ‘how to organize’ course, as important as these are. It is intended for activists who realize that the methods of struggle that were developed at an earlier time need to give way to more powerful and effective forms of social resistance.
Instead of lengthy lectures, each session will involve in-depth and participatory group discussions of the issues under consideration. The knowledge and lived experiences of those participating will be a vital part of the course. This will be true both for longtime organizers and for those just now dipping their toes in the world of activism
All are welcome to apply to participate! If the applications reach capacity, participants will be selected to ensure a diversity of backgrounds and activist experience. There will be some optional readings and other sources but this is not an academic course and as such readings will not be mandatory.
When: Mondays 6pm-8pm beginning September 8 (See course outline for full schedule)
Where: Bloor-Yonge area of Toronto - Location to be shared upon registration
This course is being offered primarily as an in-person course. Participation options for those who may have to miss sessions of the course will be made available. The venue for the course has a scent-free policy and is wheelchair accessible.
To allow for broader participation, the course is being offered free of charge for all participants. However, donations from those with the means will be gratefully accepted. Contributions can be made by getting in touch with us or visiting leopanitchschool.ca/donate .
Fighting to Win is presented by the Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education. Operating since 2023, the school strives to provide radical, accessible, and practical educational programming for those seeking to better understand and address the crisis of our current times.
