Lead by The Trapese Collective

22-27 March 2009

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About the course
This course is led by the Trapese popular education collective and expands ideas from their 2007 book ‘Do it yourself: a handbook for changing our world’ published by Pluto Press (see handbookforchange.org). It also draws on material from the MA in Activism and Social Change at Leeds University run by one of the members of Trapese (see www.activismsocialchange.org.uk).

The main aims of the course are to share tools, knowledge and initiatives with participants which can be used to empower themselves and their communities, and inspire positive social change, based on co-operation and solidarity. This is a crucial time for this kind of course. Our society is overwhelmed by a sense of crisis and uncertainty – in terms of ecology, economy, community and politics. In such times it becomes crucial to explore the possibilities of collective organising. Can we manage our own lives and communities at the grassroots rather than retreating into fear, blame and stereotypes or looking to others to solve the problems?

Many people believe that the answers to the big questions lie in community empowerment, bottom up organising. This course provides a chance to become confident using a range of techniques designed to this end and to clarify our visions for the potential of these approaches. We will also put aside time to deal with the emotions and doubts raised and include a range of short films and contemporary case studies.

Who should attend?

This course is open to anyone. No previous knowledge is required, but we do ask participants to be committed to be involved in positive social change and non-hierarchical ways of organising and learning. Trapese strive to be as participatory as possible in their approach. Whether you are a novice or have many years experience this course aims to offer a supportive environment in which to share our ideas and inspirations and move forward together.

Provisional Structure

Sunday pm: Introductions
Sunday’s session will introduce course facilitators and Findhorn staff and provide an opportunity to get to know each other. We will then provide a theoretical basis around the key ideas underpinning the course (ecological sustainability, community resilience, self management, mutual aid and DIY cultures. etc.) We will also discuss the contemporary context, in which this call for autonomy exists within and identify questions and issues to return to during the week.

Monday: Ideas and tools for direct democracy
The first full day will be spent exploring participation and democracy. We will begin examining different models and case studies. We will then move on to learn and evaluate tools for direct democracy. These will include open space techniques, participatory appraisal, and consensus decision making. Questions such as those of hierarchy and responsibility will be raised and debated.

Tuesday: Popular Education: concepts, practice and methods for social change
This day will involve looking at popular education theory and methods. The morning will be used to explore what popular education is, and how, where and when it has been used as a tool for building social movements. We will look at the differences between formal and liberatory education. In the afternoon we will explore a toolkit of practical exercises in collective learning, visual techniques, debating, holding lively public events, facilitation and skills on workshop planning.

Wednesday: Active campaigning, resistance and direct action
Wednesday will focus on understanding the ideas which characterise autonomous (i.e. grassroots and non party political) campaigning. In the morning we will look at some of the ideas which define social change, resistance and direct action, focusing on the contemporary ‘movement of movements’ and the global social justice movement. Some key motifs will be illuminated with international case studies. In the afternoon we will look at practical skills and activities focusing on campaign planning including creating clear messages, presenting ideas, reaching out, dealing with the media, and legal issues.

Thursday: Creating and nurturing alternatives
The final day we will move to practical initiatives which combine these skills and attempt to build alternatives. There are many examples of social centres, land projects, eco-villages, co-housing schemes, health collectives, community gardens, etc and we will evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. We will consider the potentials for creating more widespread and feasible autonomous examples ands practices. In the afternoon, we will consider how to implement and nurture these kinds of initiatives and some of the hurdles we will face. Planning and advice sessions will be tailored to the interests of course participants.

Friday: Conclusions and moving on
During Friday there will be time for a visit around Findhorn, time in small groups to for discussions arising from the week, evaluation of the course and the ideas raised. We also aim to use this time for concrete planning and networking!

Cost
£250 – low or no income, £325 – middle income, £400 – high income
This includes food, accommodation, tuition, materials. Reductions available if accommodation not required.

Trapese has a limited number of bursaries to contribute to the part payment of fees for those who are not be able to attend for financial reasons. Please email trapese@riseup.net

You can apply online

For further information email us

About Trapese
Since 2004 Trapese has worked with the aim of bringing people together to discuss the big issues of our time, such as climate change and to take collective, practical action. Our work involves interactive workshops, trainings, talks, articles and action/campaign planning sessions. We are a not for profit collective motivated by a passionate belief in the power of learning together.

Trapese includes:

Dr Paul Chatterton is a senior lecturer in Geography at the University of Leeds. Kim Bryan lives in an autonomous ecological inspired community in Northern Spain called Escanda and has 10 years of experience working with grassroots movements for social change. Paul is a co-initiatorof an urban ecovillage initiative in Leeds and runs a Masters programme in Activism and Social Change.

Alice Cutler lives in Bristol and is a freelance popular educator with 10 years experience in community campaigning, training workshops and education on climate change and migration issues.

Kim Bryan lives in an autonomous, ecological inspired community in Northern Spain called Escanda. Kim has 10 years of experience working with grassroots movements for social change focusing on environmental education.