The way our economic system is currently organized, systematically exploits people and nature and violates the biophysical boundaries of our planet. However, the directions in which political and societal actors looked for finding ways out of this dilemma, changed in the last few decades.
We will start on the first day with an overview of the discourses from the first Club of Rome Report in 1972 up to the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015 and we will examine some of the proposed solutions like green growth and carbon-offsetting mechanisms.
From there, we will take a step back and look to another aspect of the picture where progressive ideas that oppose the green growth narrative are put forward: degrowth, food sovereignty and climate justice. The movements that carry them are often regarded as key actors of social change.
The most recent mobilisations at the Climate negotiations (COP), and the upcoming ones (Bonn) as well as the increase in mass civil disobedience actions (Ende Gelände, Code Rood) in Europe provide for a relevant background to tackle some of the following questions.
We will critically assess: What can social movements achieve? What makes movements weaker or stronger and how do they interact or operate in civil society? How are strategies built? What is the role of actions and activism in pushing for structural, social change? How to set up actions in a strategic way?
These questions will be treated in different sessions with diverse methodologies.
A peasant from La Via Campesina will complement the analysis with reflections from a social movements perspective and practical examples. We will also build on the experiences and richness in knowledge of the participants.
The methodology will be participatory and closely linked to the experiences of the participants. The workshop design will have space for different forms on learning, by doing, feeling, listening, discussing. We will also use a diversity of methodologies to ensure participants can contribute and bring their questions, expectations, concerns and experiences. We will mix this with sessions of input and sharing of theory and analysis.
We will put time in creating a safe space for learning and to build a group dynamic which is supportive of learning and in line with the values of social change we are working for.
We organised a course at the summer school in 2015 (Ernährungssouveränität statt "Grünem Wachstum") and we look forward to continue and deepen our previous workshop.