On the Commons

Water touches all aspects of our lives yet we have not treated water with the respect it deserves. From the struggle for access to water and against cut-offs in Detroit; to challenges against the water-mining of aquifers for water bottling in Michigan, to the efforts of organizations around the Great Lakes to have these massive lakes declared a public trust, these stories speak to those larger challenges which are not unique. We will also hear from groups who engage in national level efforts to affect change and participate in international solidarity as part of the global water justice movement. The format will use a working session to highlight examples from different water struggles and lead to an open discussion. The organizers hope that participants will share their experiences and assist us all in improving our water governance and stewardship as part of our commitment to the water commons. Possible Speakers: Maude Barlow (Council of Canadians); Marcela Olivera (La Red Vida); Mary Ann Manahan (Focus on the Global South - Philippines); Jim Olsen (FLOW for Water); Representative from New Mexico Las Acequias Association

This Assembly brings together participants from the US and global south who are engaged in commons-based strategies and related work. Our work seeks to restore a direct and life giving relationship between communities and the shared resources necessary to their survival and well-being. The commons is what we share - our fundamental and equitable claim to our inheritance of natural and created abundance, and how we share it - our role in the stewardship of those resources. We see the commons revival and kindred efforts, as an important emerging movement strategy that can help move us away from a market dominated society toward one aligned with community resilience, racial/social equity and ecological stewardship. It also pushes us to consider a basis for our work beyond “human rights”, by focusing on a communal claim on forms of social wealth and our rightful role in decisions about those resources. Through a creative and interactive process, participants will explore the power of this work through sharing stories of claiming and creating commons, mapping a range of approaches and wrestling with the challenges. Together we will look at what local commons solutions and organizing efforts are bringing to life in communities and what more fundamental change this helps us imagine for the future. We will surface insights we can share with the rest of the Forum. Our goal is to leave with a deepened sense of shared purpose, aligned strategy and relationships that can support further collaboration.

Water touches all aspects of our lives yet we have not treated water with the respect it deserves. From the struggle for access to water and against cut-offs in Detroit; to challenges against the water-mining of aquifers for water bottling in Michigan, to the efforts of organizations around the Great Lakes to have these massive lakes declared a public trust, these stories speak to those larger challenges which are not unique. We will also hear from groups who engage in national level efforts to affect change and participate in international solidarity as part of the global water justice movement. The format will use a working session to highlight examples from different water struggles and lead to an open discussion. The organizers hope that participants will share their experiences and assist us all in improving our water governance and stewardship as part of our commitment to the water commons. Possible Speakers: Maude Barlow (Council of Canadians); Marcela Olivera (La Red Vida); Mary Ann Manahan (Focus on the Global South - Philippines); Jim Olsen (FLOW for Water); Representative from New Mexico Las Acequias Association

This Assembly brings together participants from the US and global south who are engaged in commons-based strategies and related work. Our work seeks to restore a direct and life giving relationship between communities and the shared resources necessary to their survival and well-being. The commons is what we share - our fundamental and equitable claim to our inheritance of natural and created abundance, and how we share it - our role in the stewardship of those resources. We see the commons revival and kindred efforts, as an important emerging movement strategy that can help move us away from a market dominated society toward one aligned with community resilience, racial/social equity and ecological stewardship. It also pushes us to consider a basis for our work beyond “human rights”, by focusing on a communal claim on forms of social wealth and our rightful role in decisions about those resources. Through a creative and interactive process, participants will explore the power of this work through sharing stories of claiming and creating commons, mapping a range of approaches and wrestling with the challenges. Together we will look at what local commons solutions and organizing efforts are bringing to life in communities and what more fundamental change this helps us imagine for the future. We will surface insights we can share with the rest of the Forum. Our goal is to leave with a deepened sense of shared purpose, aligned strategy and relationships that can support further collaboration.