Connecting Seemingly Distant Worlds: Integrating International Solidarity into US-based Student OrganizingThis workshop seeks to provide a space for young organizers to explore the principles and practice of international solidarity as it relates to their local organizing context, both current and future. We will discuss concrete examples of international solidarity from diverse movements of the past century; identify basic principles and forms of solidarity; and offer participants a positive and collaborative environment to think through applications of international solidarity to their current campaigns and initiatives. Drawing on the experience of United Students Against Sweatshops and Americans for Informed Democracy, particular emphasis will be given to the role of youth and students in consumer-based and US foreign policy-focused campaigns. Participants will leave with a working definition of solidarity, a framework for action, and a rich repertoire of ideas to empower new forms organizing within their current campaigns and initiatives, as well as those to come.
Think Strategy: Tools for Effective Student OrganizingAn old Japanese proverb warns, “Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.” Too often student groups fail to align their vision for a better world with action for a better world. What we need is a strategy. This workshop is intended for beginner to intermediate student organizers and seeks to build capacity of youth-led campaigns to effectively address social justice issues that they observe on campus, in their communities, and globally. We will impart four concrete tools for the first four stages of planning an effective student-led organizing and/or advocacy campaign: 1) creating a clear vision, 2) choosing a winnable issue, 3) identifying root causes, and 4) clarifying concrete goals and deliverables. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with critical campaign planning tools—such as the Root Cause Tree—and to apply new knowledge to their respective issues. Once we’ve completed the exercises ourselves, we will answer questions, discuss process, and provide tips for facilitating these or similar exercises at home. The workshop will emphasize visioning positive alternatives, systemic solutions, and issues that build progressive power.
Conectando mundos aparentemente distantes. Integrando la solidaridad internacional a la organización estudiantil en los Estados UnidosThis workshop seeks to provide a space for young organizers to explore the principles and practice of international solidarity as it relates to their local organizing context, both current and future. We will discuss concrete examples of international solidarity from diverse movements of the past century; identify basic principles and forms of solidarity; and offer participants a positive and collaborative environment to think through applications of international solidarity to their current campaigns and initiatives. Drawing on the experience of United Students Against Sweatshops and Americans for Informed Democracy, particular emphasis will be given to the role of youth and students in consumer-based and US foreign policy-focused campaigns. Participants will leave with a working definition of solidarity, a framework for action, and a rich repertoire of ideas to empower new forms organizing within their current campaigns and initiatives, as well as those to come.
Pensar estratégicamente. Herramientas para la organización estudiantil eficazAn old Japanese proverb warns, “Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.” Too often student groups fail to align their vision for a better world with action for a better world. What we need is a strategy. This workshop is intended for beginner to intermediate student organizers and seeks to build capacity of youth-led campaigns to effectively address social justice issues that they observe on campus, in their communities, and globally. We will impart four concrete tools for the first four stages of planning an effective student-led organizing and/or advocacy campaign: 1) creating a clear vision, 2) choosing a winnable issue, 3) identifying root causes, and 4) clarifying concrete goals and deliverables. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with critical campaign planning tools—such as the Root Cause Tree—and to apply new knowledge to their respective issues. Once we’ve completed the exercises ourselves, we will answer questions, discuss process, and provide tips for facilitating these or similar exercises at home. The workshop will emphasize visioning positive alternatives, systemic solutions, and issues that build progressive power.