From grassroots to revolution! #

Program of the gathering #

Thursday, June 4th #

Arrival, Settling in and Dinner

Friday, June 5th - Program Day 1 #

Welcome speech & situated contextual and conjuctural analysis #

The concept of autonomy already exists in our struggles, we may simply be using different names for it: freedom, independence, self-determination, self-sufficiency, self-organization… It’s what the capitalist system has taken away from us, the people–or society–to ensure the exploitation of life and nature for the gains of the few. How can we reclaim our local autonomy by joining forces at the international level? The opening speech will aim to define these concepts more clearly and inspire our thinking and later discussions.

After this theoretical introduction, we will analyze how our autonomy is currently under attack in the context of the Third World War and the 21st century. Using role play tecniques, we will situate how geopolitical forces are affecting our work in our territories and our intersectional struggles. This will ground our work in reality and help us realize its importance during these horrifying times we live in.

Based on the situated analysis, their interest and expertise, participants will then split between 5 different topics to discuss the more practical aspects of their local struggles, share positive and negative experiences and figure out ways of connecting and helping each other in the long term, beyond this gathering. Some more concrete questions will be proposed to guide the small group discussions on:

Housing – intended for organizations and collectives that fight against homelessness and eviction supporting tenants struggles in their territories.
Ecology – intended for organizations and collectives that fight extractivism and neo-colonialism and support ecological & cultural struggles in their territories.
Health – intendent for organizations and collectives that provide autonomous mental and physical health services supporting life in their territories.
Security – intendend for organizations and collectives that fight against fascism and militirisation supporting migrants, conflict resolution and community self-defense in their territories.
Gender Equality – intended for organizations and collectives that maintain autonomous structures for women and gender dissidents, supporting democratic participation in their territories.

The aim of this workshop is to realize that our local struggles, no matter how small and insignificant they may seem at times, are all important pieces of a bigger puzzle – a revolutionary project looking to change the world we live in. Our fragmentation prevents us from realizing our strength and all the experience and knowledge we already have to overcome this murderous system. Seeing how much effort and creativity goes into our resistance will surely bring back hope in the possibility of a better world.

Conclusions will be shared in the final session of Day 1. They should be concise and practical, so that we can build on them the following day.

Saturday, June 6th - Program Day 2 #

Workshop 2: Strengthening our connection across space and time #

Based on the conclusions from Workshop 1, Workshop 2 will deepen the discussion on the practical ways we can work together and remain connected to resist the isolation imposed by capitalism. Three concrete proposals will be discussed, criticized and further developed in three smaller groups:

Common message #

Participants will work together on a joint declaration/manifesto and a call to action to reclaim the autonomy of society. They will also think about the different channels, strategies and tactics of spreading this common message – not only among organized groups, but in broader society as well. How can we reach beyond our bubbles and touch the hearts and minds of the people?

Brigade system #

A brigade is something akin to a rapid mobilization team that provides logistical and/or educational support on the ground wherever it is urgently needed across the continent. Participants will be presented with concrete examples of brigade systems that operate at the European level. Then they will work on building brigades around concrete issues they are facing (kitchen brigades, security brigades, etc.) and make plans for the future of this brigade system.

Conclusions and next steps #

In the final panel of the gathering, we will hear the main conclusions reached in the three subgroups of Workshop 2, and based on that, we will propose ways that the participating organisations can become part of the network to receive and provide support – both locally and within the international decentralised knowledge-sharing platform that we are building.

Rebuilding our autonomy is not a one-time event, but a gradual process that is already underway and can only become stronger and more structured through our work together.

Sunday, June 7th #

Breakfast, Evaluation of the gathering and Departure.