Working Together In Troubled Times as Organisers in Scotland

Who is this event for?

If you are a community or grassroots organiser currently working to make the world a fairer place you are likely facing many challenges. The rise in the harm and hardship our communities are experiencing can make it all feel overwhelming. We need each other during these troubled times to offer each other active sanctuary and solidarity. We need places where we can come together as allied networks, from all walks of life, to share resources, recuperate and organise. If you are an advocate, organiser, charity, ally, altruistic not-for-profit or creative whose work centres social justice issues - then this lovely folks is event is for you.

Event Schedule

• Doors 3pm

We will check your tickets downstairs in Social Hub. Feel free to gather in the foyer, buy drinks from the bar and mingle for 15 minutes. We are also offering a quiet orientation tour of the event room 3pm until 3:15pm ahead of the event. This option is open to anyone who might need it.

• Welcome 3:15pm

We will start the event upstairs in Meeting Room One with a warm welcome from Rebeca Lee founder of the Universal Recognition movement.

• Panel Talk 'Storytelling for change' 3:30pm

How do we tell stories that influence change as campaigners and marginalised creatives working in the current cultural and political climate. Hear from our panelists on how they navigate the challenges and use their differing forms of storytelling.

Our panelists:

Selina Hayes - founder of Refuweegee and campaigner

Josie Long - comedian and author

Gray Crosbie - spoken word artist and poet

Our panel questions have been curated by Disabled campaigners and creatives from the Universal Recognition movement. The panel questions will be followed by a short audience Q&A.

• Short Break 4:30pm

• Workshop 'Finding ways forwards even in dark times' 4:35pm

Spend the afternoon with our facilitators getting to know each other's challenges and insights and find ways forward using our 'In the Dark' wisdom cards. This card deck is a prototype and has been created with UR's blind working group. The wisdom deck challenges typical mainstream perspectives and enables the blind folks to lead the sighted through times of uncertainty. The cards offer organisers and creatives ways to reflect upon and pursue our ideas for better future even during times of material hardship and darkness. This will also offer you opportunities to get to know other's in the room a little better ahead of our accessible networking session.

• Short Break 5:30pm

• Accessible Networking 5:35pm - 6:30pm

We will use the last hour to chat and connect with each other in the room. There will be opportunities to:

1. Visit our showcase tables hosted by organisers and creatives working locally. Discover people’s research, campaigns and sign up to mailing lists.
2. Add your details to the written networking table and take down other people’s details. Our connection cards will ask you to write down what your social justice work is, what your offers or asks are in the coming months and how people can connect with you outwith the session.
3. Chat to people in the room sharing your offers and asks. We encourage you to make your own plans to meet again or join each other’s mailing lists etc.

• The event will finish at 6:30pm

Background Organiser Information & Funders

This event is being organised by Doughnut Economics Scotland Network and Universal Recognition (UR) Alba Hub. UR is a Disabled led network working to:

• foster Universal Recognition of marginalised people's worth and humanity.
• ensure everyone is able to Universally Recognise good accessibility and how to action it.

Our event is part of Doughnut Economics Action Lab's Global Doughnut Days. Their global communities festival fosters opportunities for local organisers to come together to better understand and take action that is safer for people and planet. We have chosen to centre our marginalised and grassroots communities for our Scotland event. We are focusing on building mutual aid, heartening solidarity and raising our collective political voice.