Parallel B
How can we build a mass student movement?
Session Purpose:
- To get grassroots input and ideas from P&Pers to help us to confront one of the biggest challenges campaigning faces today: lack of diversity.
- How can we build a mass student movement?
Background info:
Let’s face it: campaigning has an image problem. Even the left-wing media labels young activists ‘middle-class militants’ (Independent, Dec 08). This stereotype is cynically used to marginalise our actions and silence our views. Its power comes from the fact that we don’t reflect the ethnic and socio-economic mix of Britain. To confront and overcome the global challenges which face us, to campaign effectively for a just and sustainable world for all, we need to inspire and unite the whole student population. If we can build a diverse mass movement our voice will be louder and more relevant to businesses and government will be forced to listen.
For these very reasons, increasing the diversity of ethnicities, religions and economic backgrounds of the network is one of P&P’s core aims and one of our biggest challenges. P&P has a new project which is committed to this goal, but we can’t do it without you. We want to draw together the experience, knowledge and creativity of you, the network, to find ways forward. In exchange for your brainpower ,you will get the chance to change the face of P&P and help us to meet one of the most key issues facing campaigning today.
Questions to think about in your group:
- What motivated you to become an active campaigner and have you faced challenges or difficulties when taking action?
- What do you think are the barriers students face to learning about and acting on global problems?
- Does your group reflect your uni student population?
- Is your group involved in local community initiatives?
- How do you think P&P can broaden its network and engage a wider range of students in campaigning?
