Are you active in grassroots, social justice, anti-capitalist, labour or environmental movement(s) for social and ecological change? Or are you part of a group that supports these movements?
Then this gathering is for you!
What’s this gathering about?
The aim of the gathering is for existing support groups to network and skillshare with each other, as well as coming up with ways to improve how we can work together. To reflect this aims, the structure of the weekend will look like this:
Friday evening 5th Oct
– Venue open from 4pm
– Dinner @ 7pm
– Welcome
– Framing questions & offers of new sessions
Saturday 6th Oct
The main day! Sessions including:
– Mobilisations – reflections and future plans
– Being more connected – creating a movement support directory
– Anti-austerity, community and labour organising
– Time set aside for similar working groups e.g. legal, kitchens, etc. to connect, organise and feed back
– Future movement support events, e.g. national skillshare weekend
– Space for ad-hoc offered sessions
Sunday morning 7th Oct
– Time to develop ideas coming from Saturday’s sessions, e.g. future plans, larger skillshare gathering, mobilisations, working groups.
– Lunch
– Close
What will we discuss?
Support groups will discuss how they coordinate with each other. There are many individuals, groups and networks offering fantastic grass roots training but how can we come together to improve what already exists? Some of the ideas discussed so far have been;
- working together to help publicise and networking of existing training and support
- developing strategies to increase the effectiveness of what we do
- sharing contacts and resources
Logistics
Venue: “The venue is called “The Edge”
Full address: 79-81 Cheapside, Digbeth, Birmingham B12 0QH
How to get there:
1) 15 minute walk (1 mile) from New Street Station/the Bull Ring ( http://goo.gl/wNYly) or 10minute walk from Digbeth Coach Station ( http://goo.gl/ULAfl)
2) Upto a 5 minute bus ride on the number 50 from the city centre (Get it from here: http://goo.gl/Ynjsu)
There’s on-street parking in the area but it’s not the safest (lots of warehouses, not many people) so leave your Mercedes at home but a Ford Fiesta might be alright (Birmingham city centre traffic is horrendous, be warned).
The venue has disabled access downstairs (the main bit) and a disabled loo.”
Crash space will be available Friday and Saturday nights. Bring a sleeping bag.
Visit https://network23.org/msg2012/
Email: ukmovementsgathering2012@aktivix.org
Please let us know if you have any specific requirements that will affect your ability to participate.