Sustaining All Life (SAL) &
United to End Racism (UER)
at the World Social Forum in Nepal, 2024
Sustaining All Life (SAL) and United to End Racism (UER) are international grassroots organizations working to end the climate emergency within the context of ending all divisions among people.
A small (five people) SAL delegation of RCers from Nepal and India represented Sustaining All Life and United to End Racism. It has been many years since RC attended a World Social Forum, and our small delegation was able to have a big presence. Twice they led a workshop on Staying Hopeful and Sustaining Ourselves as Activists and Organizers!, they did an intro to RC class, held listening circles and listening exchanges, and listened to many people. At the end of the WSF, groups were asked to post a statement about their work, and supporters were encouraged to sign it. Our statement got lots of signatures. Many people are interested in our work and this won't be our last World Social Forum.
At the World Social Forum, SAL/UER presented an interactive workshop that addressed barriers to resolving the climate emergency and other crises of these times. The workshop also showed participants how to exchange effective listening to free themselves from the emotional and mental harm resulting from oppression and other hurtful experiences—harm that can interfere with thinking and responding effectively to the global crises.
Staying Hopeful and Sustaining Ourselves as Activists and Organizers!
Friday, 16 February, 11:30 AM–1 PM
Location: Nepal Law Campus, 1st floor, Room C 103 [NLC-BLC D-F1-R(C103)]
Sunday, 18 February, 11:30 AM–1 PM
Location: Nepal Law Campus, 2nd floor, Room C 104 [NLC-BLC D-F2-R(C104)]
Those of us working towards another world tend to face burnout. We may struggle to stay hopeful and feel connected. To build and sustain a strong movement, we must have a place to share and heal from feelings about our issues, the damage we experience from oppression, and any discouragement we feel about taking needed action. Join our interactive workshop and learn some tools allowing us heal our emotional burdens and renew hope to reach for “Another world.”
After the workshop, we held an optional one-hour listening circle. Listening circles based on shared experiences give people a chance to be listened to about feelings connected to their issues and their activism. Having the chance to share feelings of grief, fear, anger, discouragement, and hope in a mutually supportive group can refresh and give us new ideas for action.
On Sunday, we offered an in-depth look at tools that have helped people address emotional barriers to effective climate organizing— sharing details of our theory and providing opportunities to practice our listening tools in pairs and small groups. We demonstrated how using these tools can help us address common struggles experienced by activists and organizers working to build the movement needed to create another world.
