Workshops
On Sunday morning you’ll be able to attend 2 workshops from a wide range covering key issues facing the world and the skills you need to take action and make a difference. Whether you are new to the issues or a seasoned campaigner there will be something for you. Take a look at the programme so far, and keep an eye on this page for more updates!
Issues Workshops
Whatever Happened to Trade Justice?
Tamsin East - World Development Movement
Trade was seen as one of the main failures or as some say ‘missed opportunities’ during Make Poverty History in 2005. But what is really happening? Is it good that the WTO talks have collapsed? This workshop will critically examine what has happened in the trade sphere over the last year and will look forward to what we as trade campaigners can do in the future to influence the trade agenda.
A conversation with a Fairtrade Producer cooperative
A great opportunity to hear first hand about how Fairtrade is effecting the lives of producers of southern countries. The workshop will be led by a producer cooperative which is Fairtrade accredited. It will look at the perceptions and issues surrounding the Fairtrade production model in the countries where people are most affected by it.
A great chance to hear about the huge difference that Fairtrade makes to people’s lives . Ask questions about the on-the-ground experience of Fairtrade.
Fairtrade skill share
Silje Vold - People & Planet
Do you want to Guarantee more producers and workers basic rights? Do you want to Ensure a commitment to fair trade principles within the UK´s schools, colleges and universities? Do you want to influence wider policy and behaviour so that trade works for all?
Come and get inspired by P&P groups’ amazing Fairtrade achievements!
Treat AIDS Now - funding the gap
James Lloyd - People & Planet, David Hillman - Stamp Out Poverty
It is estimated that $20 billion a year is needed to tackle AIDS, and $50 billion a year in extra aid is needed to meet the Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people living in poverty by 2015. We are unlikely to find this money from traditional aid budgets. A big funding gap needs to be filled, and additional sources of financing are urgently needed to fill it!
In this workshop we are going to explore some of the radical and new ways People & Planet in partnership with Stamp Out Poverty is planning to change the face of government funding for development and how you can be part of this exciting new campaign.
Getting politicians on your side this World AIDS Day
Steve Cockburn - Stop AIDS Campaign
Want to influence people who have power so that they will support your ideas and plans? Then come to this workshop! Tackling politicians is one of the most effective ways of making a difference as a campaigner. This workshop will give you all the skills you need to be able to lobby them effectively. We will be using the up and coming World AIDS Day campus based lobbying as an example where we will also look at different lobbying tools you can use, and discussing tactics which have worked in the passed.
Your MP won’t know what hit them!
Drug Pricing and access to Medicines
Sarah Waldron - People & Planet
Access to treatment should be a simple matter of need and a medical judgement of the efficacy of treatment. Instead, patents on medicines effectively give big pharmaceutical companies control over the availability and pricing of essential drugs. Despite international commitments to prioritise public health, decisions based on enhancing corporate profits can be the difference between life and death for millions.
This workshop will explore how essential HIV and AIDS medicines are priced out of reach and what you as part of People & Planet’s Treat AIDS Now campaign can do about it!
Treat AIDS Now, an Introduction
Dani Strauss - People & Planet
With People & Planet launching its new Treat AIDS Now Campaign it is imperative for the success of the campaign we get your groups support. This workshop will explore the core issues around the Treat AIDS Now campaign and what actions we can take to stop this grave injustice. We will also look at how you can work with other groups on campus to build strong local campaigns that complement each other.
Decentralising Power - Cleaner, Cheaper, more secure energy for the 21st Century.
Laura Yates - Greenpeace
Electricity systems are incredibly wasteful (as well as polluting) and don’t always get to everyone that needs energy. This workshop will include a short film on Decentralised energy in Europe and the UK and how it can cut carbon emissions, and also cover the use of renewable energy to increase access to energy for the 2 billion people living in off-grid communities in developing countries.
Ditch Dirty Development, an Introduction
Bronwen Thomas - People & Planet
How to Ditch Dirty Development. Find out more about People & Planet’s newest campaign and plan how to run the campaign at your university, school or college. What exactly is low carbon development, what’s wrong with funding oil projects, and what are the alternatives? What exactly should the UK Government be doing about it? Bronwen Thomas, People & Planet’s Climate Change Campaigner, takes you through the campaign.
Carbon offsets stripped bare!
Adam Ma’anit - New Internationalist
Carbon offsets: panacea or destructive distraction? Can planting trees or funding energy efficiency projects help tackle climate change? What does it mean to be ‘carbon neutral’? Isn’t it all just about making people feel less guilty about flying? Come along and uncover realities of carbon offsets and find out if we are being Co2nned - Adam Ma’anit from the new Internationalist.
International climate politics
Adam Ma’anit - New Internationalist
Kyoto and beyond. Want to understand the nitty-gritty of tackling climate change at a global level? Want to know your CDM from your ETS? Wondering if carbon trading can really work? Adam Ma’anit from New Internationalist will take you through the debates, controversies and future possibilities for international climate action.
Going Green workshop and skillshare
Robbie Blake - People & Planet
This workshop aims to introduce the Go Green campaign to those who don´t know it, and provide an opportunity to share experiences and difficulties with those already involved. If you´re interested in running Go Green, this will provide an ideal introduction. If you´re in the middle of campaigning, you can share frustrations and gain ideas. If you´ve had success at running Go Green, your experiences will be invaluable.
‘i count’ an Introduction to running the pledge
Crispin Chatterton - People & Planet
Learning to count! An introduction to running the I Count campaign, this workshop will give you the skills and confidence to create a real movement to tackle climate change in your school, college or university. Get your friends, family and fellow students taking personal and political action to stop climate chaos.
Are universities going green? Ask the experts.
Facilitated by Robbie Blake (People & Planet), with guest expert panelists.
Is the environmental performance of the UK Higher Education sector improving - how can we push it further? What do Environmental Managers do? Is P&P´s Go Green campaign having an impact? This seminar is your chance to celebrate Go Green campaign successes, and to question an expert panel on these important issues. If you´re running Go Green — come!
Peace Brigades International: how we can make space for peace?
Lani Parker — Outreach worker for Peace Brigades International
You will have the opportunity to learn more about the work of Peace Brigades International, and how we use non-violent techniques to protect and support human rights workers who are being threatened because of the work they do. The workshop will consist of a presentation, discussion and exercises to allow you as participants to reflect on your own activism and how you get support to carry out your work.
Volunteering abroad: are gap years the new colonialism?
Simon Power — Tourism Concern
Tourism Concern is currently researching who benefits from short term international volunteering. Are gap years a new form of colonialism? Are under skilled, inexperienced `voluntourists´ causing more harm than good in developing countries? Or are gap years a positive way for volunteers to help out and learn about international development? If you have been involved in a gap year placement, you are planning one or maybe just an interest in the issues, join the workshop and let us learn from you.
Challenging the corporate takeover of ‘ethical’
Jess Worth — Co-editor, New Internationalist Magazine
Nestlé getting the Fairtrade Mark, Wal-Mart going organic, Gap and Armani raising money for AIDS, L´Oréal buying the Body Shop…The world of ethical shopping has gone topsy turvy. Where is it taking us and how should we respond? This workshop argues that this trend should be more actively resisted, that ethical consumerism is a dangerous diversion in the fight to save the planet, and that campaigners should bite the bullet with a more anti-consumerist message.
The Big Trident Debate
Peter Leary — Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Trident is Britain’s nuclear weapons system. It was brought into service during the 1990s, and is expected to reach the end of its service life in the 2020s. A replacement for the system is likely to take around 14 years to develop, and the government has said that it will take a decision on this matter before the end of this year. Last year, the government promised that there would be a full and open debate on the future of Britain’s nuclear weapons. The Big Trident Debate aims to secure a full public and parliamentary debate on the replacement of Britain’s nuclear weapons system. Find out how you can get involved.
Who Stays? Who Goes? Who Decides?
Natasha King - Student Action for Refugees
Asylum in the UK: How students can help in the fight for social justice. What creates refugees? Is the UK really such a soft touch for asylum seekers or is there another story? This workshop will look at asylum in the UK and explore some common myths as well as look at the global movement of refugees. Through group work and discussions participants will develop an understanding of the plight of refugees in the UK, look at how they can help asylum seekers and refugees and raise awareness in their own communities.
Social Movements and the New Latin America
Paul Moon - Programme Officer, War on Want Plus speakers: Amancay Colque — Bolivia Solidarity Campaign; Sue Brandford — author and journalist
Latin America is experiencing revolutionary change at a grassroots level. Empowerment of subordinated groups has led to rapid growth and autonomy of social movements, whose voice is now being heard at government level. This participatory discussion takes into consideration the varying political and economic hardships of four Latin American countries — Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, and Bolivia — and the campaign for change from the people of these countries. Experts will comment on the contribution of social movements toward this change, and then open the floor to audience participation. Speakers include leading author and journalist Sue Branford; Amancay Colque from Bolivia Solidarity Campaign, and many more. It promises to be a diverse and interesting day.
Protest and the Law: Is our right to peaceful protest under threat?
Eduardo Gill—Pedro — Liberty
This workshop will look at how new laws may be restricting the right to peaceful protest, examining some real life case studies and discuss strategies to protect it. Expect informative and interesting discussion on current human rights issues and to leave the workshop with a better understanding of the legal landscape in which we now operate.
Non-fiction Alternatives to Capitalism
Paul Fitzgerald - Radical cartoonist Polyp from Agitprops
Why are we always reduced to a vague mumble when asked what we´d actually replace corporate capitalism with? Can we construct a workable alternative that doesn´t require a rose tinted view of human nature without reverting to tired socialist dogma? Controversy for all at this provocative discussion, led by radical cartoonist and activist Polyp- who doesn´t know all the answers, but does know some good questions we need to ask about our political visions!
Digital Enclosure and the Free Culture Uprising
*Tom Chance — activist from Free Culture UK and member of People & Planet Management Committee
What is ‘free’ software? Why are everyone from wealthy lawyers to environmental activists and artists suddenly talking about ‘intellectual property’? How did a plucky group of hackers defeat big business in the EU? This workshop will be a space to learn about and discuss the inspiring alternatives to corporate control of the internet and culture, and how these relate to biotechnology, AIDS/HIV and radical democracy.
Grassroots solutions to climate chaos
Mark - London Rising Tide & Claire Fausset - Camp for Climate Action
The Camp for Climate Action aimed to shut down Drax power station earlier this year. Many people who were there saw the Camp as the birth of a new mass movement for climate justice based on civil disobedience, but a movement very much also committed to living post-fossil fuel solutions. Is this the way forward? And what might this form of ‘energy dissent/descent’ look like in a sprawling metropolis like London?
Permaculture your life!
Ed Sears - Permaculture Association, member of Leeds People & Planet group
Permaculture is an ethical and ecological design process used around the world to transform cities and villages, military bases, refugee camps, schools and businesses. This workshop will look at the underlying principles and how they can be used in our lives, homes, campuses and as a process for world change.
Unravelling the Occupation of Iraq
Maya Evans and Jonathan Stevenson - Justice Not Vengeance and Voices in the Wilderness
Three years into the occupation of Iraq, scores of Iraqis are still being killed on a daily basis. Should British troops be staying to keep the peace, or are they only fuelling the violence? And how can grassroots action in the UK make a difference? Participatory, action-oriented workshop to discuss what´s happening in Iraq today and what we can do about it.
Global Responses to Global Threats in the Here and Now
James Kemp - Oxford Research Group
Poverty is not just a development issue; HIV/AIDS is not just a disease; climate change does not just affect poor countries; terrorism does not just happen in failed states - these are global issues. They recognise no national borders. The different societies that make up humanity are interconnected and interdependent today as never before. We explore the root causes of conflict and look at ways in which to achieve sustainable security in the 21st century.
Ethical careers: how and where can we work whilst staying true to our values?
Philip Douglas - former member of Third World First and Ethical Careers Fair organiser
Ever wondered how you can work in our society as ethically as possible? Can we make the world a better place by choosing the right career? Or are we forced to keep our personal values separate from our working lives? Come to this interactive workshop to discuss and share your thoughts on what you think an ethical career is and be ready to have your assumptions challenged! We’ll explore how you can choose a career that will keep both your conscience and your bank account (relatively!) happy.
Co-operation Works!
Owen Jell - The Co-operative Group
Co-operatives are the alternatives to PLCs and Multninationals — they run to meet the needs of their members and the wider community, with values of democracy, equality and solidarity at their core. Over 800 million people are part of the worldwide Co-operative movement, working in every sector of the economy, from finace to farming. Join this lively and practical workshop to find out more about how Co-operative enterprises work and how you can get involved.
An Introduction to Anarchism
Mike Duckett — Phd student, ‘Ecological Direct Action and the Nature of Anarchism
Anarchism: Does it mean we have to mask up and start chucking rocks at the police? Does it mean we have to get naked and give out some free love? We will be discussing what it means to apply the ethics and critiques of anarchism to our actions, and exposing the shortcomings of many stereotype practises. Anarchism is the politics of love and rage. Anarchism is the history of the most noble ideals, complet liberty with complete solidarity.
Corporate Criminals or Climate Champions?
Owen Jell - The Co-operative Group
Does big business always have to be bad for our environment? At the Co-operative Group, we’ve been showing for years that a successful business can stay true to ethical values - and now we’re leading the way on reducing our impact on the environment. Come along and find out how we’re responding to the challenge of Climate Change - and what you can do to play your part.
Low Carbon Living — Combatting Climate Change at Home
Martha Rose, Programme Manager, Global Action Plan
Making small changes to our lifestyles makes a big difference! This interactive workshop will give you practical tips and advice on what you can do at home to combat climate change and reduce your CO2 emissions.
Unearth Justice!
Erin Condit-Bergren - Student Campaigns Officer with CAFOD
The gold mining industry is one of the dirtiest in the world. Throughout the world, gold mining is closely linked with conflict, corruption and social problems for those working in and living near mines - and many of these problems are exacerbated by the activities of foreign mining companies. This workshop will tell you about CAFOD’s international campaigning, equip you to take action, and hone your campaign planning skills in the process!
Skills Workshops
Free money! How to organise effective, creative fundraising events
Ben Taylor — People & Planet Fundraising Team & guest appearance from “Akelely Wood-stock” organisers, fundraisers extraordinaire!
A creative and interactive introduction to planning and running super events that are not only fun, but a great way to get people involved in campaigning! Find out how you can raise money for P&P, boost your skills and confidence in event planning and organising, and come share ideas with others in the network. If you’re a money making guru with morals, we want to hear from you!
Using Publicity to Change Attitudes — a guide to campus campaigning
Duncan Exley & Naomi Landau — Campaigns Manager and Assistant for Fair Pensions
Designed to show you how to influence mainstream behaviour, (not just “people like us”) and avoid one or two people having to do all the work. This workshop, by experienced campaigners, will give you the necessary skills and knowledge to: 1) Create campaigning messages that get through to mainstream audiences 2) Plan a publicity campaign that everyone will notice 3) Get your members involved in the campaign Campaign-guide booklets are included.
An Introduction to Non-Violent Direct Action
Matthew Herbert — Seeds for Change Collective
Why ask someone else to change the world for you when you can do it yourself? A whistlestop tour of nonviolent direct action(NVDA) — what it is, what it feels like, and some common direct action techniques. This is an interactive workshop so come prepared to get involved!
Practical techniques for Non-violent Direct Action
Matthew Herbert — Seeds for Change Collective
A practical look at some of the ways you can make your nonviolent direct actions more effective. We’ll look at, and practice with, some simple equipment that can extend the life and effectiveness of your protests. If you though a bike lock was for keeping your bike safe, you’ve obviously not been to this workshop! This workshop is aimed at those with some previous NVDA experience or training.
How to use the Internet for Activism
Chris Anderson — Web Editor for Animal Aid and Internet Activist
How can your student activist group use the internet to change the world? Activists can use empowering web technologies such as blogs, podcasts and wikis for social change and democratising the internet. Come along to this workshop to find out what they are, and to discuss ideas on how to use them.
Know your Enemy: How to Research Corporations
Jennie Bailey — Corporate Watch
We aim to demystify the art of researching companies and show that with a bit of forethought, anyone can do it.
How to Set Up a Co-op
Anthony — Radical Routes
Radical routes is a network of housing co-ops, worker co-ops and other co-operative projects working for social change by challenging dominant structures in society: homes without landlords, work without bosses. A Radical Routes Co-op member will talk about why people choose cooperative living, why co-ops choose Radical Routes and how you can set up your own co-op.
How to Plan (and Win!) Strategic Campaigns
*Lianna Stupples — Freelance Campaigners and Communicator and member of People & Planet Management Committee
WANTED: W.L.T.M M, F or M/F who want to change the world (or their bit anyway) but W.L.T also have time to have a life in said world! Therfore need to know how to campaign smart in order to kick gluteusmaximus: e(energy in) = high. Quick interactive fling for now but may lead to lifetime relationship. G.S.O.H essentail. {or, How to Plan and Win Strategic Campaigns}
The art of rebel clowning - an introduction
Tasha Adams and Jeannie Thompson Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army (CIRCA)
Tired of humdrum protests? Enjoy working in a team and ridiculing authority? Longing for extremely silly adventures? The Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army will show you how! Come prepared to participate and discover your inner clown….!
Media, Myth and Message — how to get media coverage and have an impact
Nick Cater — Independent Journalist and Media Consultant Read some of his writings in Third Sector
Media is not about magic or luck, nor about punping news alerts into the void. So this workshop will concentrate on securing media coverage, building working relationships with journalists, looking for angles and actions that best get a message across, and prioritising the use of scarce resources (i.e. your time, money and credibility). Includes: writing press releases, interviews, events, evaluation.
Facilitation - participatory techniques for empowering your group!
People & Planet
Do you have meetings that go round in circles? Some people who won’t stop talking while others can’t get a word in? Facilitation is a process that helps groups make decisions and get things done in a participatory, empowering and democratic way. It allows all members of the group to take an active part in discussions and decisions whilst dismantling any formal or informal imbalances of power within the group. Explore in depth what facilitation is and practise some tools to see how well it works! You can find out more in our online Groups Guide.
Building Strong Campaigning Groups
Tom Kenward - Friends of the Earth
Campaigning is most effective, and most fun, when it’s done in a group. This workshop will give you ideas, advice and practical tools to transform your group into a formidable campaigning team. Want to get more people actively involved? Looking for ways to get your group working together more effectively? Need help solving a specific problem with the way your group currently works? This is the workshop for you.
How to plan and prepare for effecitve actions
Jennie Dodson - People & Planet
Do you have great ideas for actions that never seem to get anywhere? Did your last action come unstuck because you forgot your leaflets/banner/D-lock? If you want to find out how to plan better, more successful and spectacular actions then come along to this workshop! We’ll look at which tactics to choose, when and how to make sure you’re prepared for anything to happen on the day. See the online Groups Guide for more tips on effective action planning.
Campaigning for Ethical Investment
Danny Chivers - Cambridge P&P group and graduate researcher in Socially Responsible Investment
Our educational institutions invest millions of pounds in companies engaged in the arms trade, tobacco sales, manufacture of instruments of torture, and widespread environmental degradation. These investments could be a powerful force for positive change - but only if YOU convince your university to adopt an ethical investment policy! Come and find out how you can campaign for socially responsible investment on campus and get your university to manage its assets in an ethical way. Find out how other groups in the network are campaigning for ethical investment at the online discussion Forum
Lobbying
Steve Cockburn - former Edinburgh P&P member from the Stop AIDS Coalition
Tackling politicians and those in power is one of the most effective ways of making a difference as a campaigner. This workshop will give you the skills you need to do be able to persuade decision-makers to act on your behalf and help you achieve your campaign aims and objectives. With a focus on how to lobby your MP on ensuring universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment, come and discover how to make your voice count!
Consensus Decision Making
Kathryn Tomlinson - Peace Brigades International
Consensus Decision Making is a refreshing and radical process for making co-operative, effective decisions. It works creatively to find solutions that all participants are happy with, and avoids the alienation or domination of others that can arise through systems like majority voting. This workshop will offer a practical introduction to consensus, demonstrating how it is used by grassroots activists, co-operative groups and peace workers across the world, and giving you the chance to practise using it yourself.
Campaigning with New Internationalist Magazine
James Clark - New Internationalist Campaigners, Director
A fun, friendly and fully-interactive workshop where you will meet seasoned New Internationalist Campaigners and learn how to communicate global justice issues simply and effectively. Develop campaigning skills and sign up for an opportunity to do paid campaigning work directly with the New Internationalist magazine on your campus. Students from Scotland, Wales, the Midlands, North West and South West England are especially welcome.
Influencing Decision Makers in Your School
Sarah Brown - ESSA
Workshop for sixth form students exploring how to communicate with decision-makers and run effective campaigns within your school or college. This is an often-neglected area in terms of campaigning but one that ESSA believes can be very successful and also one that needs change most! Perhaps you want to introduce Fair Trade to your school or college but have no idea how to go about influencing decision makers? We can teach you how to communicate your ideas and views effectively and bring about real change!
Taking up the challenge: Peer Education and Global Issues
James Edleston — Youth Officer, Development Education Authority
Facilitating learning around issues such as HIV/AIDS, Trade or Climate Change is challenging.The issues are extremely complex, often controversial, and no one person, group or sector can claim to be ‘the authority’. In peer - education sessions, or other situations of informal learning, not only is the knowledge complex and contested, but the facilitator must be responsive to the needs and inputs of the learners, who will often be at very different starting points. This session challenges participants to explore the difficulties inherent in global peer education and to answer the questions: Why peer education? Who are ‘peers’ and who are being targeted? How open are our minds?
