----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 4:54 PM
Subject: Re: Direct Action and Grassroots Democracy Conference


Where are the grass roots activists?!! This just looks like the list
of usual media luvvie suspects indulging in yet another bout of self
promotion. Surely you are in touch with genuine grass roots activists
and community groups?

Deborah


----- Original Message -----
From: "London Civic Forum" <London.CIvic.Forum@...>
Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 4:24 PM
Subject: Direct Action and Grassroots Democracy Conference

Direct Action and Grassroots Democracy
Monday 18th May 2009, 9.30am - 4.00pm
Friends House, 173 - 177 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ

We invite you to join us at this one day conference hosted by London
Metropolitan University, London Civic Forum and Goldsmiths, University
of London to explore approaches to community development, grass-roots
community campaigning, tactics of social change and non-violent direct
action in the current political context through the lens of Saul
Alinsky’s work.

Who was Alinsky? Before his death in 1972, Alinsky described himself
as a free-society organiser and a rebel. In his lifetime he was
involved in a number of campaigns particularly with local communities
in the United States, the civil rights movement and in challenging
‘big business’. In the mid 1980s Barack Obama worked for a project
established by Alinsky and some people see Alinsky’s legacy in Obama’s
style. Hilary Rodham (Clinton) turned down a job with Alinsky. There
are campaigners in Britain today, for instance disadvantaged say by
poverty, low pay and asylum, who have taken inspiration from him.

The centenary of Alinsky’s birth and Barack Obama’s inauguration as
the first black president of the USA - 2009 seems like good time to
have a conversation about his legacy. Come and join us as we reflect
on Alinsky’s contribution - not to ‘praise or bury’ him - but to use
the examples of his work, and work both inspired by him and inspired
by other thinkers and activists, to inform this conversation.

Conference Programme includes:

‘Contributions from various people including Jonathan Freedland (The
Guardian), Maurice Glasman (London Metropolitan University), Pat
Arrowsmith (Peace Campaigner), Nici Nelson (Goldsmiths, University of
London), Andrew Wakefield (London Civic Forum), Dinah Cox (ROSA UK),
Hillary Wainwright, International Centre for Participation Studies,
Bradford University & Red Pepper; Workshops and an Open Mic session

Conference Fee: £25 (waged) £7.50 (unwaged)

Booking Deadline: Tuesday 12 May 2009

For further information and booking:

Visit: http://dmtrk2.net/JD-VT5-3X1WD-7DAK-0/c.aspx
OR
http://dmtrk2.net/JD-VT5-3X1WD-7EAM-0/c.aspx

Call: 020 8709 9871 (Lorraine Dongo)
Email: lorraine@...