What's on top?
One of this year's most exciting social movement events will be held later this month. At last year's Beyond Coal and Gas gathering, almost 200 community leaders, organisers and campaigners came together in the Hunter Valley to share experiences and perspectives and cook up plans to protect their communities and the environment in the context of Australia's coal and gas boom. This year's event will be held an hour from Brisbane and is set to draw up to 300 people from around the country. The Change Agency team are providing facilitation support using the Open Space Technology format, and have helped generate 70 proposals for participant-led discussions. James will lead the 11-member facilitation team, along with tCA co-founder Sam La Rocca and Community Organising Fellowship co-director Kate Smolski. Happy times!
On Friday 24 October, just before the gathering, Joshua Kahn-Russell will launch A Line in the Tar Sands in Brisbane: "a tool for organizers and newcomers alike, offering critical analysis, strategic reflections, and visions of hope for the future. If you breathe air or drink water, this book is for you." If you're in Brisbane or can be, join us to hear Joshua read from the book.
It's inspiring to be part of this growing and powerful social movement, and to know our Community Organising Fellowship is helping the movement build power in communities that are coal-affected, impacted by climate change and eager for a rapid shift to renewable energy. We're busily short-listing applicants for the 2015 Fellowship and look forward to confirming next year's cohort soon.
Enjoy this month's eNews. And good luck out there!
