Resilience in times of uncertainty

Part 4 (the finale) of The Regenerative Activism Series 2020!

Participants: Gee (Ulex Project), Aesha Francis (Urban Mindfulness Foundation), Dean Francis (Urban Mindfulness Foundation), Anthea Lawson (Perspectiva), Eweryst Zaremba (Ulex Project) & Jyoti Fernandes (Land Workers Alliance).

These are probably the most important years in our history. We’re facing the gnarly, and interlinked problems of climate crisis, stark inequality and a post-democratic reality. Earth’s life support systems are under attack, while authoritarian, racist and intolerant nationalist populism is on the rise. Our survival involves deep transformation and a shift beyond the failing capitalist system that underpins our extractive and destructive economy. How can we sustain ourselves through this time? How can we enable our activism to be a source of flourishing, for ourselves and society as a whole? We will dig deep into key questions and practices for a truly regenerative activism.

Contributors

Gee (Guhyapati)

A hub of collaboration, the Ulex Project is run by Col·lectiu Eco-Actiu, a non-profit involved in the design and delivery of residential training since 2008. The Ulex Project is a fresh initiative building on that experience. Ulex Project believe that connectivity is a key to cognitive vitality and learning. Diversity is crucial to resilience and adaptive capacity. We live at a time where social and ecological challenges require a shift from atomised individualism to networks of solidarity. It implies a new collectivity which still honours individuality. It requires cooperation balanced with autonomy. Ulex thrives on connectivity and seeks to be a reference for value based collaboration. Ulex works with numerous individuals and organisations to design and deliver our training programme. They establish partnerships with organisations across Europe and internationally. They bring diverse groups and individuals together in learning communities. They support organisations, groups, and individuals to foster collaborations, build networks, share experience, and deepen movement resilience through meaningful connection.

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Aesha Francis

Dean and Aesha Francis are co-founders of the Urban Mindfulness Foundation, a not-for-profit social enterprise providing free mindfulness training courses to those normally unable to afford personal development training. Every course is underpinned by an ethos of developing a socially focused mindfulness practice that places the emphasis on radical inclusion and collaboration designed to help embrace the challenges of urban living.

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Anthea Lawson

Anthea Lawson leads the Beyond Activism initiative at Perspectiva. Troubled by the ways in which campaigning sometimes replicates what it tries to change, she is working to enquire into the inner life of activism and what it means for our efforts to change the outer world in which we live.

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Jyoti Fernandes

Jyoti is the Chair person and Campaigns Coordinator of Via Campesina and Land Worker’s Alliance. She is currently working on a campaign to influence DEFRA to adopt more policies to promote food sovereignty. She works to represent small-scale producers around Europe in the European and Global agricultural institutions.

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Ilaj

Ilaj is project lead for Ulex’s LGBTQI+ psycho-social resilience and holistic security programme.

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Dean Francis

Dean and Aesha Francis are co-founders of the Urban Mindfulness Foundation, a not-for-profit social enterprise providing free mindfulness training courses to those normally unable to afford personal development training.

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