1. We have spent the past few years delivering a political economy course with trade unionists and community groups, in an attempt to explain what happened in 2008
We feel there is a need to democratise knowledge and stop relying on the experts who failed to predict the biggest economic crash in 80 years
We would argue that one of the first steps towards changing society is understanding how the system works, who it benefits and how

2. That’s the bad news
But the water movement has shaken the political establishment to its core and now there is an opportunity to see the job through, to build a different type of society based on the principles that are outlined in the Right2Change policy platform
But can we? Do we have a campaign or do we have a social movement for change? And what is the difference……
15 November 2012
Ryerson University, Toronto

3. IS THIS A SOCIAL MOVEMENT?
A Network Structure
Use of Unconventional Means
Shared Beliefs & Solidarity
Pursuit of Some Conflictual Aims
I believe that to be a long lasting social movement four elements need to be present.

4. CONFLICTUAL AIMS……?

5. CONFLICTUAL AIMS….
It would be difficult to conceive of a more fundamental conflict other than war, than one between the people of the earth and corporate greed for ownership of our life giving Right2Water

6. SHARED BELIEFS AND SOLIDARITY……..

7. SHARED BELIEFS & SOLIDARITY……
We, the people, have developed one formalised policy and 9 agreed policy principles in the key areas that affect the lives of every man, woman and child in the country

8. USE UNCONVENTIONAL MEANS…

9. USE UNCONVENTIONAL MEANS…
There is more to this than flags and sharp slogans and PR
TACTICS – meter protests from dawn to dusk allied to intensive campaign of civil disobedience/non compliance/non payment
Bringing people (pillars) together shouldn’t be ‘unconventional means’ – but it is!
The ‘3 pillars’

10. A NETWORK STRUCTURE…

11. A NETWORK STRUCTURE…
Lack of trust between these ‘pillars’ however has prevented any real structure from emerging
Without it the ‘movement’ will dissipate

12. CLIMBING THE HILL…..
Maude Barlow describes campaigning like climbing a hill to take it over
At first there are many and the foothills are relatively easy to climb, people are refreshed and full of energy (anger)

13. THE AMAZING SUCCESS OF THIS MOVEMENT …..
Our enemies are many and supremely resourced
Attacks have been vicious and unfair
Our message has been hidden, then stolen
Internal division has been difficult
No comparable success to inspire
But….Numbers have been maintained, even grown!
Civil disobedience has been sustained!!
Successes have been many!!!
Ultimate victory is within touching distance!!!!

14. CAN WE FINISH IT OFF….?
The potential to win on our Right2Water is now real and present
Can we close the deal using the resources present?
Probably…..
But Right2Change will need some democratic structure if the social movement is to be maintained and have wider and longer lasting effect……

15. UNITE IN THE COMMUNITY ‘UNITING COMMUNITIES’

16. UNITE IN THE COMMUNITY ‘LIFELONG TRADE UNIONISM’
The challenges that face us in our communities are global, and lifelong
They do not begin or end in the workplace
They do not only affect us in work
They affect us as students
…..While unemployed
…… While retired
………..LITERALLY FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE

17. UNITE IN THE COMMUNITY JOINING THE DOTS TO WIN…..
If Trade Unions continue to see their role as isolated to the workplace they will become increasingly (and deservedly) irrelevant
Workplace representation must be wedded to community activism and engagement
The dots need to be joined for workers, their families and the communities we live in
Trade Unionism must be workplace focussed but also campaigning and political in nature

18. COMMUNITY ACTIVISM IS CHANGING IRELAND…..(20/2/16)
Myself and Karen Doyle/ Cobh Community………………………

19. THANK YOU