Initiative Project Bombay Sarvodaya Friendship Centre Joe Athialy, Maju Verghese, Mukta Srivastava AID College Park CSH, Nov 20, Kirankumar Vissa

Building Support for People’s Movements Among Youth, Media and Civil Society The Setting Several years of major changes, globalization Question: Who is benefiting at whose cost? Islands of prosperity and widespread poverty Political scenario sidelining the poor Alienation from natural resources Dispossessed communities: adivasis, Dalits, unorganized workers, urban poor, women Increasing urban-rural divide

Critical Areas of Intervention to Strengthen People’s Movements Media Major force in shaping politics Need to grab space for social issues Youth Indifferent or vulnerable? Need exposure to reality of rural India Research and Documentation Developing information Sharing experiences, strategies

Taking Initiative “Reaching the Real India” program Sponsored field exposure program to movements, for college students Consolidating progressive support group Networking with various youth organizations Publication and Research Bi-monthly “People’s Movement” magazine Resource book highlighting 50 movements

Taking Initiative (further…) Media Support Program Press notes, releases, conferences Build support groups within media Media workshops for sensitization Exposure Trips for media Supporting Direct Action Organizing civil society support, managing logistics of campaign Support for fundraising, medical aid

3 Research, Learning and Publishing: Lodging and food (visit to people's movements) 3000* Travel cost ( various movements across India) 3000* Stationery, communication, postage and books 1* Research Cordinator 10000* Reaserch Fellow 10000* Computer 1* Sub Total Programme administration Logistic and office assistance 2500* Office rent 5000* Communication and postage 3000* Sub Total Support from Action AID Request from AID Budget (1 st year out of 3 years)

The Year That Was 3 Student Exposure Programs Involvement in World Social Forum Resurgence of “The People’s Movement” Publication of book on Interlinking Rivers Participation in various agitations, campaigns Study and report on development work of NBA Report on Anti-Cola agitation in Kerala

Clarifications Initiative a project of BSFC – not separate orgn. Exposure camps by many resource people – Sanjay MG, Brian Lobo, Michael, Lata PM, Sanjay Sangvai Movements they work with are part of NAPM. They choose based on location, sector and prominence. Active attempt to highlight lesser-known movements Exposure program currently limited to college students of Mumbai. Very good response. Demands from other cities like Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Aurangabad, etc. Collaborating with CED, Schools without Borders Already encouraging students to write about their experiences. One article in Statesman, two in Marathi.

Clarifications (contd) Most participants continue to maintain good relation, some participate in actions, one helped edit ILR book Full-time campus organizers needed to take to next level People’s Movement magazine currently being used by academicians, NGOs, movements, common people. Distributed in Mumbai bookstalls thru newspaper agent Aiming at broad readership. Need to improve presentation, appeal, contents as well as marketing. Ideally 2-3 full-timers need to work with senior NAPMers Research fellow and Research coord are similar positions Visit expenses include other volunteers going with them