29th August to 1st September, 2025
In these challenging times we need to build strong social movements in Canada. In response to new levels of repression of civil society globally, we are compelled to become vigilant and resistant to the abuse of power. New creative means for outreach and engagement are needed to strengthen social movements.
Sparking Change: Imagining a Different Future is a program to bring fifteen civic actors together from the fields of environment and climate justice, peace building and nonviolent action to strengthen social movement building.
Lyn Adamson, the Co-Chair of VOW, Jill Carr-Harris, and Lee Ann McKenna of Partera International are organizing and hosting the weekend program. P.V. Rajagopal (Ekta Parishad, India) has been asked to lead the workshop. Michael Polanyi of Faith and Climate Action is an additional resource person, bringing his experience in nonviolent direct action.
This two-day workshop will explore the diversity of strategies and methods for effective social change. This is a unique opportunity to learn from leaders like Rajagopal, who has undertaken large-scale mobilization and brought about policy change in India in the highly contested area of land rights. We look forward to dialogue on different methods of moving change forward.
We particularly welcome participants involved in grassroots organizing, mobilization, and campaign-building.
The workshop take place from the evening dinner on the 29th August to the morning of September 1st at:
Hub and Hearth Retreat Centre (north of Orangeville). Trails, labyrinth, hot tub.
Cost: $195 covering 3 nights accommodation and eight vegetarian meals.
Some subsidies are available, with thanks to support from Science for Peace.
Space is limited. Submit Your Application Here
