From Cape York Peninsula to British Columbia
Lyndon Schneiders (2003). Churchill Fellowship Report: an investigation of land use planning in remote areas to apply to the resolution of environmental, native title and development disputes in Northern Australia
Changing the System
Irene Opper’s case study “What Works”: Insights from interviews with advocates for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Queensland.
Forcefield analysis / Macro strategy exercise
This activity examines various forces affecting a movement including external groups, internal division, psychological powers and blocks. It’s a terrific way for your group or network to share perspectives and information that will help define what’s...
Confronting racism in communities: Guidelines and resources for anti racism training workshops
Designed to provide background information and analysis of the various forms of racism and racial discrimination that continue to occur in Australia, and to suggest strategies to support those affected and to combat racism more generally.
Basic strategy grid
An adapted version of the Midwest Academy’s community organising grid, this simple table provides one way of developing and integrating key pieces of a strategy in a logical sequence.
Ankle walk
Here’s a challenging exercise for practicing making decisions and communication, and deepen a group’s capacity to work more effectively together.
Advocacy evaluation: Review and opportunities
Justin Whelan reviews the emerging literature in this field, noting the points of convergence and divergence and suggesting some limitations of the frameworks and opportunities for effective evaluation that meets the needs of interest groups.
‘I want you to know, I need you to hear’
A creative tool for open sharing within established teams. It’s especially useful for organisations where regular communication about personal needs is not straightforward, such as groups whose members are geographically remote from each other.
Active listening role play and resources
Some of our favourite resources on active listening and a role play in which facilitators demonstrate good and bad listening techniques, and participants are able to experience and discuss the elements of successful communication.
Action Group Meetings
Resources to help your group work well together and achieve your objectives; highlights some group habits and actions that resilient community groups have relied on.
Sustaining self-care
A workshop that allows participants to reflect about sustainability (self-care, to practice techniques for long-term sustainability, and increase awareness of what balances them (and what depletes their energy).
SWOT analysis
An activity to examine internal and external factors that hinder or facilitate a group’s advocacy strategy. This is a useful activity to help you refine goals, objectives, and activities.
Lessons from the Lock the Gate Movement
Veteran campaigner Drew Hutton (2012) identifies lessons the traditional environment movement might learn from the Lock the Gate ‘green-farmer’ alliance.
Participant agreements
A list of agreements developed by Bill Moyer for participating in workshops and meetings that encourage respectful and responsible participation.
The World Social Forum: another world is possible
James Whelan (2003). Reflections on the 2003 WSF in Porto Allegre, Brasil.
Organisational Learning and the NGO
Steph Walton. A critical reflection on mass convergence as a protest tool employed for refugee advocacy.