A Southern Perspective Workshop: Hidden Stories – the subscript or no script?
Some stories hit the headlines. Some headlines only tell half the story (or lies) and some never make the headlines or middle pages or even the back page. This can be either good or bad. |
The ‘Kony 2012’ vs ‘Lord’s Resistance Army’ headlines (or not) is a recent example of this. This workshop will look at some of the stories behind the headlines and behind the ‘no lines’; reflect on why this might be so and the pros and cons of this.It will draw on lessons we can learn from them and explore what people are doing to challenge injustices and explore what we can do together.
We are interested in hearing your which will be more focused on developing ways methods and strategies for going forward.
This will be an interactive and participative workshop.
Venue: The International Society, 327 Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PG
or phone 07779 450692 on the day
1pm workshop start; finish at 3.30pm
A light lunch will be provided from 12.15
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‘Until the lions have their historians, tales of hunting will always glorify the hunter’
A Southern Perspective Workshop: The persistence of Corruption
This workshop will be facilitated by Southern Voices with Washington Alcott, educator, and Yemi Adetona, recently coordinator of Manchester Women of Diversity |
- Why corruption persists – exploring systemic processes
- Sharing experiences and ways to challenge corruption
- Examining the effectiveness of corporate social responsibility
- Pros and cons of co-operatives and fair trade
This will be an interactive and participative workshop.
Venue Chrysalis Family Centre, 4 Westerling Way, Moss Side, M16 7EA
or phone 07779 450692 on the day
1pm workshop start; finish at 3.30pm
A light lunch will be provided from 12.15
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‘Until the lions have their historians, tales of hunting will always glorify the hunter’
Review: LIONS’ TALES – Stories of Climate Justice
LIONS’ TALES – 2nd Climate Justice workshop 18/02/12
The workshop was lively, informative and interactive. An initial activity enabled us to introduce ourselves and to show our interconnectedness.
In small groups, we examined and ranked according to future significance a number of global trends. There was consensus that the growing division between the countries of the rich North and the poor South, generated by the world’s economic system, will create serious future problems. Currently $60trillion = global GDP; 7 billion people – so equal distribution of wealth would give $8,500 for each person in the world per year.
Do you need position to have influence? The case of Wangari Mathai – getting access and influence – she was listened to. Counter example given of Rosa Parks – she was part of systematic campaign – one of many ‘Rosa Parks’ and the bit that gained media political attention- a massive campaign and fight for justice. Riding on the shoulders of little people as well as giants. Every action counts.
Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar gave a presentation on the impact of climate change on Pakistan. The flooding of 2010 had a serious impact on fresh water supplies and on agriculture, with women and children being particularly vulnerable. Rising sea levels are destroying the mangroves along the coast. Women, who own only 1% of the land, are especially affected and groups are pressing for an end to discrimination. The ‘War on Terror’ and international conflict takes resources and attention away from the issue of climate change impact.
In groups we identified climate change impacts that we knew of and then a list of success stories, some of which were shared with the whole group. (see below)
Caroline Downey gave a short talk on ‘Earth Rights’. Climate change is increasing poverty and impacting on poor people in all countries. East Africa has been dealing with increased drought for years. We noted the huge contraction of the Aral Sea in central Asia. Although corporations such as BP, Ford and Shell advertise their green credentials, they are at best just tinkering. At worst, as with Shell in Nigeria, water, land and air have been polluted, health and safety neglected, armed conflict generated and activists such as Ken Saro-Wiwa have been murdered.
The concept of the rights of Mother Earth was introduced, seeing the earth as living and having intrinsic worth which could be protected by property law. Lawyer and activist Polly Higgins is working to make ‘ecocide’ legal to protect the planet from exploitative and damaging activity. Besides the Earth Rights Institute in Senegal, other inspiring initiatives are Practical Action and the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature with Bolivia taking a lead.
An interesting quote
‘about Mother Earth’; ‘rights of Mother Earth’
‘Manchester: a Certain Future is not a climate change action plan but a carbon reduction plan’
‘solar energy more used in the South’
A key questions raised
‘why local councils are slow in taking steps towards tackling the issue’
‘how do we communicate effectively within the local population’
‘how much are we doing as a city council in terms of actions rather than just plain talk’
‘I would like to know more about glacial meltdown and how it affects the environment’
Some key points from Session One
Global capitalist economic system and economic-political pressure for economic growth – driving rising CO2 emissions and global warming. Historically the North is responsible; currently Northern living standards and increasing Southern emulation are feeding the trend to dangerous levels.
Climate science shows the cause of increasing extreme and unpredictable weather events – but do Governments and corporations – where most decision making power is sited – want to just ‘manage the monster’ , or seek more radical response. Climate violence = decisions taken, such as Tar Sands exploitation, even though the science tells us this will lead to more climate change impact , more deaths and loss of livelihood; an abuse and misuse of power.
Southern Indigenous peoples’ thinking and spiritual relationship with the Earth – is a different way of conceptualizing the issue.
For more information on exercises, actions and responses click on this link.
A Southern Perspective Workshop: LIONS’ TALES – Stories of Climate Justice
Southern Voices
Workshop on Saturday, February 18th, 2012
Stories of Climate Justice – Strategies for Change in a changing world
This workshop will be facilitated by Southern Voices with Caroline Downey, Executive Director of MERCi (the Manchester Environmental Resource Centre initiative) and Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar.
- Exploring the impact of climate change
- Sharing experiences and success stories
- An opportunity to influence Manchester’s climate change action plan
This will be an interactive and participative workshop.
Venue: MERCi building, Bridge 5 Mill, 22a Beswick Street, Ancoats, Manchester. M4 7HR.
Phone: 07779 450692 on the day
You can get to the MERCi building on the 216 bus from Piccadilly.
Time: 1 – 3.30pm
A light lunch will be provided from 12.15
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‘Until the lions have their historians, tales of hunting will always glorify the hunter’
A saying of the Yoruba people, one of the largest West African ethnic group
Review: CLIMATE VIOLENCE, HISTORY AND RESISTANCE Workshop
The Workshop on Climate Violence, on January 21st 2012, was attended by 23 people.
The event was subsequently reviewed by Manchester Climate Monthly with a comment by workshop leader Kooj Chuhan.
Feedback from the attendees
General Impressions
‘very good and very informative’
‘the information given is very useful’
‘well presented and the group participation good. Interesting ideas’
‘really not interactive, visual or participative! So many better ways of presenting some info where people will actually learn and remember, and identify next steps. Dealing with people at different levels can be done in so many better ways.’
One very interesting thing said
‘server farms’
‘violence and climate change interconnection, closely linked’
‘industrial production of CO2’
‘the statistics and setting a date for doomsday’
‘the relationship between the concept of violence and the issues around climate change’
‘climate change = climate crime’
‘seeing it as violence’
‘Looking at climate change from a southern perspective’
‘that decision makers, business and government support, are violent towards the South by pushing forward with TAR SANDS development for instance, in that this will contribute to climate change and result in more deaths there’
A key question arising
How is the issue perceived by the South?
What really has to be done to avoid disasters?
Is climate change a process or a consequence?
How can we raise awareness?
How possible is it that the industrialised countries are ready to do more research to address the resolution of root causes rather than looking to find a way to cohabit with the monster they have created?
What is the role of politicians and the big corporations in regulation and commitment related to environmental issues? Also the influence of the ‘development view’ in developing countries and how the people can go against it without any support from governments?
Whose responsibility is climate change from the individual to the country level?
How to redress the balance and change the behavior of those in power
How even the term ‘climate change’ curtails the debate; ‘climate chaos’ works better.
Is it going to happen? Can we reverse negative effects?