In our Community Conversation in advance of COP26, there was a palpable sense of togetherness with the emotions of facing this current moment, including space for despair, not knowing, shame and hopelessness.
There was a strong sense that NVC practice and needs awareness and advocacy can support with many elements of organising within social movements.
There was appreciation of this coming together as an NVC-fuelled community. Companionship and togetherness nourish us. We need to learn more and more about power, privilege, and living under patriarchy, white supremacy and this form of capitalism.
There was a sense of freedom and newness at the end. In the face of despair and not knowing, let’s play with that, together. We have nothing to lose.
We like to think of these questions we asked as an ongoing enquiry, and are part of what we are willing to look at within our community in these times of transition and breakdown.
Breakout 1
How can we be heard by those with political and structural power?
How do we believe change happens? How do we believe NVC can create change?
What blocks come up as you think about this?
Selected notes:
We can use empathy to contribute to changing stories that are told.
We can use empathy to validate all needs, of all stakeholders, including those with different views.
Stop ‘othering’ / dehumanising / judging
Keep learning about how power and privilege operates
What does it mean at an emotional level to face the truth of this moment? – to be with grief and despair.
We can focus on positive news stories of successful (nvc) community action to inspire, keep going, encourage, give hope (news about the French revolution sent ripples across the globe Motivational success stories can nurture hope, validation, entitlement and fuel activity)
We can increase capacity to be vulnerable, Going beyond the victim, perpetrator, rescuer dynamic.
We can mobililse to be more empowered. Initiate emotionally, grow up into responsible adult. What initiation rites can we create?
Proceed as if you matter, as if what you do matters.
Learn Emergent Strategy.
Change happens through a diverse range of methods that create pressure, unexpected snowballs. Change happens in unpredictable ways.
NVC practitioners can support people on the frontlines / taking to the streets.
Create a community force. Connecting to and speaking from love.
Help decision makers listen to scientists and us.
Blocks – hard to understand, overwhelming,
stories i tell myself,
shame that i dont know
shame that I have nothing to add,
Patriarchy says only special people have vision 🙁
We learn shame when showing up not knowing
Breakout 2
How can our NVC practice support and usher in the change that is needed?
What alliances do you need to make?
What networks can be forged for mutual support?
What healing do you need in order to play your part in this current moment?
Selected notes:
“I want us to learn three things that might help us face what may be coming: to find choice within; to honor our limits and know when to choose death; and to walk towards community and life as far as we find pathways to do so.” – Miki Kashtan
Let’s get more NVC folk in social movements.
We want networks of support, with needs consciousness, and be part of, going somewhere together.
Learn how to grieve
Togetherness – a movement towards something together – including as NVC UK community.
Recreating the collective.
Supporting young people / children, our present and future, maybe our future leaders.
Maybe they will create our world beyond patriarchy!
Our own healing includes talking with our children / families about power.
Sharing power – Power Anonymous groups!
Standing in my own power. Risking my significance.
Mourning for flow and ease – to know how to make a difference, to express my care, and to be understood for that – that the care and love is there.
Would love to be able to express how i really care and don’t know how.
Finding compassion and empathy for ‘the enemy’.
Not firing ‘the second arrow’.
Act as if my life depended on it, or act as if other people’s lives depended on it.
In the face of despair and not knowing, play with it all, we have nothing to lose
Not knowing what to do and using NVC for finding what we do want to do.
Connecting with others who value NVC. Motivating.
Building NVC UK community that includes awareness of what’s in the world, engaging.
Connecting with not knowing what to do and how to do it – companionship in that.
COMPANIONSHIP. BEAUTY IN THE TOGETHERNESS.
Calls to action in relation to Cop26
Cop26coalition.org Find your local hub and take action on 6 November
Defundclimatechaos.uk There are protests on 29 October, mainly in London
Stop excluding Military emissions from climate agreements – Petition https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-excluding-military-pollution-from-climate-agreements-2/
#Stopcambo
British government is set to approve a new oil field called ‘Cambo’ in the North Atlantic, 75 miles from Shetland. Inform yourself www.tinyurl.com/peacenews3666
If you are in Scotland, you can ask your MSP to add their names to the motions opposing Cambo (Monica Lennon’s motion number S6M-00722 and Mark Ruskell’s motion, number S6M-00720. You can also sign this FoE Scotland Petition www.tinyurl.com/peacenews3667
Check out this handy toolkit for writing a letter to your MP and doing social media www.tinyurl.com/peacenews3668
Friends of the Earth UK have an Open Letter you cansign www.tinyurl.com/peacenews3669
Also stay connected to #Stopcambo updates at www.stopcambo.org.uk
Financing fossil fuels:
Inform yourself why this is a problem with the Greenpeace/WWF report from May, The Big Smoke: The Global Emissions of the UK financial Sector www.tinyurl.com/peacenews3670
Bank on our future has 2 min and 10 min online actions you can take to challenge banks funding fossil fuels. Their website also have printable signs and banners, social media images and more www.bankonourfuture.org
Extinction Rebellion are organising direct action under the heading ‘Money Rebellion’ www.tinyurl.com/peacenews3671
On twitter, you can tweet the chancellor Rishi Sunak to #CleanupBanks with a new climate finance law www.clicktotweet.com/gif90
You can switch your bank and tell them why you are leaving. This ‘Market forces’ site will tell you how to check if they’re funding fossil fuels and walk you through the process. www.tinyurl.com/peacenews3572
Divestment: Pressure institutions to stop investing in fossil fuel companies
If you are near Chichester, Sussex, here is an upcoming demo you can join www.tinyurl.com/peacenews3674