Document with preliminary notes: https://pad.globaltapestryofalternatives.org/gta-assembly-notes

Raw transcription: https://pad.globaltapestryofalternatives.org/gta-assembly-01-transcript

Crucial point of dialogue between academic world and grassroots movements.

Learn and experience more of the work and visions of GTAGlobal Tapestry of Alternatives endorsers.

An ongoing and open sharing of notes, discussions, or debates on specific topics, such as “enhancing the website”, “raising money”, “dichotomy of horizontalism vs. verticalism” in groups/ sub-groups that can be brought forward to the assembly.

In order to bridge the global with local topics, sub-groups could have meetings on regional and local topics, however language (see below) should not act as a barrier with the assembly participants. Importantly, smaller gatherings can help to build trust among endorsers. Hence breakout rooms, or prior smaller sessions may be options for future events.

Funding \& Resources: Initial funding since 2020; Need more hands and people, not only volunteers, but also paid work. Endorsers and members of affiliated organizations are welcome to take positions with the GTA core group (contact@globaltapestryofalternatives.org).

Meta-Mapping: GTA's meta-mapping process is an open documentation and mapping of alternative processes and interconnect them from around the world. Beta version will be ready soon. We are also discussing with other similar mapping processes, such as EJAtlas. The idea is to connect networks, platforms, processes (not individual initiatives), geographic \& thematic maps (e.g. of worldviews, COVID resilience, ecofeminism). It will be available for endorsers/partners and decentralized.

Sharing of technical expertise that GTA has can also be extended to help endorsers who don't have such resources.

What does assembly imply? We need to trust each other and to get to know each others better. Common dreams can bridge barriers. Internal seminar how about dealing with common issues at any place in the world. Need of a common space to raise issues, ideas, visions on a deeper level.

Looking at the wisdom and experience of endorsing members, looking at their way strategies and collaborations in movements has been created.

Youth movements as a more integral part of future GTA processes.

Giving time and space for reflection during sessions. Being open for alternative ways of communicating as well.

Channel to share news, short videos and contents (e-mail list); Need to update some “use policies” in order to do that.

Jaime from May First offered to host GTA in their network. May First is an operative Organization with roughly 700 members - mostly organizations could include GTA as a process network.

Importance of re-sharing (amplifying) posts on social media, made by GTA or others with affiliation and connect with platforms such as the Post Growth Alliance.

Blog site on the broad question of alternatives, however the need of commitment by people to keep it alive.

Internal seminars putting forward questions and suggestions to discuss.

Case for simultanous translation during offline/ online gatherings. Agreement that English is not inclusive enough. Semi-volunteer and volunteer support by the ICCA possible and further references are higlighted below. Let´s take on the challenge.

Where is there 'hope' and experience of language revival and recuperation? (Tom)

Case for creating a newsletter and webinar on language diversity, including many non UN languages.

Create an open team to organise (monthly) seminars and ideas for the newsletter.

Azril has volunteered and UPCIDs team can help

A word beyond assembly that captures that bigger purpose.

A need to decolonize the word assembly.

However the word assembly is not negatively connoted in Latin American contexts.

Rather call it global family/ planetary tribe/GTA Solidarity Assembly?

Suggested meetings: 4-6 per year, next one probably after COP 26.

Build up to a physical gathering.

Martha Giraldo, MINGAnet: Si, aunque comprendo ingles prefiero si traduces Ana porque habrá diferentes acentos dificiles , gracias!!

Ana Heras - Community Economies Research Network: Perfecto, no hay problema

Ana Heras - Community Economies Research Network: Ahora comienzo

Ashish Kothari GTA: You could pl. put your organisation name next to your name if ok … thanks

Ana Heras - Community Economies Research Network: El propósito del encuentro es generar asociaciones, partenariado

Ana Heras - Community Economies Research Network: Es importante para GTA tener aliados (endorsers and weavers) para ir tejiendo las relaciones

Ana Heras - Community Economies Research Network: Ahora estánpreguntando si todos estánde acuerdo en grabar

Ana Heras - Community Economies Research Network: Es importante crear espacio para que podamos todxs contribuir

Ana Heras - Community Economies Research Network: por eso es importante usar el chat

Melanie: Could the organizational links be posted in the chat? That would be great.

Andrea González Andino - ecoversities: Hi everyone I'm part of ecoversities. I'm in Ecuador, I miss calculated the time and I can't be more. I'm sorry. I hope I can get the recording and I'll catch up with Franco too to see how to keep weaving. Hugs everyone!

Holly Jonas (ICCA Consortium): I think he said he cannot speak, he is listening

Steven Klees - The AlternativesAre activities and initiatives, concepts, worldviews, or action proposals by collectives, groups, organizations, communities, or social movements challenging and replacing the dominant system that perpetuates inequality, exploitation, and unsustainabiity. In the GTA we focus primarily on what we call "radical or transformative alternatives", which we define as initiatives that are attempting to break with the dominant system and take paths towards direct and radical forms of political and economic democracy, localised self-reliance, social justice and equity, cultural and knowledge diversity, and ecological resilience. Their locus is neither the State nor the capitalist economy. They are advancing in the process of dismantling most forms of hierarchies, assuming the principles of sufficiency, autonomy, non-violence, justice and equality, solidarity, and the caring of life and the Earth. They do this in an integral way, not limited to a single aspect of life. Although such initiatives may have some kind of link with capitalist markets and the State, they prioritize their autonomy to avoid significant dependency on them and tend to reduce, as much as possible, any relationship with them. Project: https://www.thealternativesproject.org/

Steven Klees - The Alternatives Project: Please sign our statement!

Tom Griffiths FPP: Here is FPP web site: www.forestpeoples.org

Sophia Hagolani-Albov (EXALT): Global Extractivisms and Alternatives Initiative www.exalt.fi

Robert Wanalo - Post Growth Institute: https://www.postgrowth.org/

Alain Caillé FR, convivialistes: convivialism. Cf.www.convivialisme.org

Mrinalini-Women4Biodiversity: www.women4biodiversity.org; also convenes the Women’s Constituency “CBD Women Caucus” engaging with the Convention on Biological Diversity. Happy to be here.

NISHARA RAJAH NAIDOO GTA Core Group: melanie - are you in the el cambalache group?

Martin Winiecki: Defend the Sacred Alliance: https://globaltapestryofalternatives.org/newsletters:01:index?redirect=1#coherence_prayer_active_solidaritylearnings_from_the_emerging_defend_the_sacred_alliance

Martin Winiecki: Tamera: https://www.tamera.org/

Melanie: https://mayfirst.coop/en/. Cooperative Organization with roughly 700 members - mostly organizations

Holly Jonas (ICCA Consortium): www.iccaconsortium.org

Donnie Maclurcan (he/him) - Post Growth Institute, BA, Argentina: https://offersandneeds.com

Holly Jonas (ICCA Consortium): and our latest publication, a multimedia report on territories of life with community case studies and national, regional and global level analyses: https://report.territoriesoflife.org/. It’s available in French and Spanish as well

Donnie Maclurcan (he/him) - Post Growth Institute, BA, Argentina: https://freemoneyday.org

Melanie: MFMT is US Mexico based / tho also global members

Carlotta Byrne, The Gaia Foundation: https://www.gaiafoundation.org

Ana Heras - Community Economies Research Network: https://www.communityeconomies.org/

NISHARA RAJAH NAIDOO GTA Core Group: welcome Arturo.

NISHARA RAJAH NAIDOO GTA Core Group: so good to see you!

Abdul OTMAN @Ecolise: https://communitiesforfuture.org/

Alain Caillé FR, convivialistes: The Second Convivialist Manifesto, signed by 300 intellectuals , activists and academics from 33 countries has been or is on the way to be translated in about 10 languages. We are tryinn to launch the idea of a World Citizen Parliament withe the help of several International networks

Abdul OTMAN @Ecolise: @Alain I wonder if you heard of this https://globalassembly.org/

Martha Giraldo, MINGAnet: Hello from Colombia, Martha Giraldo, MINGAnet (www.minganet.org), migiraldo@gmail.com, 5713176551965

Mrinalini-Women4Biodiversity: Sharing Global Forest Coalition website as Simone is having trouble https://globalforestcoalition.org/

Nariman Moustafa: Ecoversities: ecoversities.org :)

Holly Jonas (ICCA Consortium): Here are a few links about Hugu’s work in Taiwan: https://www.iccaconsortium.org/index.php/2021/08/02/event-workshop-indigenous-decolonization-and-sustainable-self-determination/ , https://www.iccaconsortium.org/index.php/2020/09/20/indigenous-peoples-taiwan-progress-decolonization/ , https://www.iccaconsortium.org/index.php/2020/04/23/if-we-are-still-alive-then-lets-go-reflections-on-covid-19-pandemic-from-taiwan-indigenous-peoples/ and https://www.iccaconsortium.org/index.php/2019/07/30/reflections-about-species-on-the-move-indigenous-and-local-knowledge-as-relationships-for-living-and-connecting/

Vasna Ramasar (she/her) GTA Core Group: If anyone has any questions of clarity to Shrishtee's presentation, please write them in the chat and we will come back to them when we open for discussion.

Azril Bacal: Moe I am on my cellphone with camera. Azril Bacal email: bazril@gmail.vom Phone +46722125037 Representing Red Universidad y Compromiso Social de Sevilla at GTA

Arvin Dimalanta, UP CIDS AltDev: For those interested in UP CIDS-Altadev's work with grassroots and community organizations across Southeast Asia, please do check our Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/LawanUPAltDev/ For inquiries, you may also reach us through our email: upad.cids@up.edu.ph Thank you!

Azril Bacal: Hola Gustavo! Un fuerte abrazo! Azril

Arvin Dimalanta, UP CIDS AltDev: UP CIDS AltDev's efforts in documenting different alternative cases in the Philippines and in the Southeast Asia can be found in the following links: (1) https://drive.google.com/file/d/12yEe4PeDN0jcefkCCR0ufPlpHPE_KiJL/view and (2) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wqu4RabXirIDndSoFSqa6vO6mBz8zBXQ/view Our other publications can be seen here: https://cids.up.edu.ph/publications/public-policy-monograph-series/#1617066989096-056ee8e4-c9c3 Thanks, again!

Tom Griffiths FPP: Azril - can you please repeat name of lead org or action on 24th Sept?

Upamanyu Das (GTA): Azril could you post about the event on the chat?

Vasna Ramasar (she/her) GTA Core Group: GTA is also working with COP26 COalition on activities for the People's Summit and aligned initiatives for climate justice

Vasna Ramasar (she/her) GTA Core Group: Please share other campaigns here that we should all be aware of

Ashish Kothari GTA: One other part of GTA, with its own life, is PeDAGoG, Post-Development Academic-Activist Global Group … people working towards alternative courses, pedagogies, methods, etc .. do let us know if any of you would like to join this

Vasna Ramasar (she/her) GTA Core Group: GTA has also been holding a process called PEDAGOG https://globaltapestryofalternatives.org/pedagog

Melanie: Is there a mechanism for Assembly members to post upcoming events and/or recordings? Or is that unmanageable?

Vasna Ramasar (she/her) GTA Core Group: @Franco, can you respond to Melanie?

Melanie: Also, is there a planned next convening for PeDaGoG?

Franco Augusto (GTA Core Group): We have a mailing list with all Endorsers, but not yet open to all members to send message. This assembly could decide to start to use that channel to share news, and contents.

Franco Augusto (GTA Core Group): That will demand to define some “use policies” to care of the group. But I think is perfectly possible to move that idea forward.

Tom Griffiths FPP: Agree focus in on specific matters or areas of action/work/innovation as well as operational modalities would be useful in each 'assembly'

Azril Bacal: Hola Ana, La EPA/UNALM es mi alma mater y antiguo centro laboral. Ya tenemos una agenda minima para empezar. Abrazo. Azril

Azril Bacal: bazril@gmail.com

Steven Klees - The Alternatives Project: Listening to Paul's point about more venues for communication, I wonder if GTA could start a blog site – we could use a place to put blogs out on the broad questions of alternatives.

Ashish Kothari GTA: Worth considering Steven … but we need commitment from enough people to keep it alive, else it becomes stagnant …

Tom Griffiths FPP: Might be good to have simultaneous translation on diff channels for digital and face to face GTA gathering/assemblies - sticking to English is not inclusive enough maybe - translation might have costs - it could also be doable via GTA volunteers like Ana today

Ashish Kothari GTA: We have a bit of resources for translation (v. Small) and have been asking for translators who won’t charge the earth … Melanie has put us in touch with one … if anyone else has suggestions pl. give

Ashish Kothari GTA: And volunteers like Ana are an absolute gift!

Ana Heras - Community Economies Research Network: https://www.communityeconomies.org/news/liviana-cern-online-conference

Donnie Maclurcan (he/him) - Post Growth Institute, BA, Argentina: The New Economy Coalition has a fantastic language justice resource round-up: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17inf_J2642xkJGsRYTsrfItKWp6-O9AYPVW_OWrVnE0/edit

Melanie: Also https://www.facebook.com/groups/babelistas/

Holly Jonas (ICCA Consortium): Vasna, for the notes - I mentioned separately to Ashish that I will follow by email re: possible interpretation support through our group of volunteers and semi-volunteers.

Vasna Ramasar (she/her) GTA Core Group: That would be amazing Holly!

Tom Griffiths FPP: Fully second language diversity as core value - fundamental pillar and precondition for sustaining cultural diversity and a diversity of alternative epistemologies/knowledge systems - where is there 'hope' and experience of language revival and recuperation? Could GTA foster a session or special newsletter on this topic???

Ashish Kothari GTA: Great idea for a newsletter and/or one or more webinars, Tom … we’d like to take this forward … the challenge of working in multiple language situations does need to be tackled also

Ashish Kothari GTA: Including many of the non-UN languages

Tom Griffiths FPP: Ashish - fantastic if GTA can plan that - Language diversity and resilience are the essence of 'local' knowledges and of resistance - Indigenous peoples are looking for examples where other peoples have recovered their language to affirm identity and resist colonial oppressors

Shrishtee Bajpai (GTA, core group): Sure, Tom. We will definitely take this up.

NISHARA RAJAH NAIDOO GTA Core Group: Thank you Xochitl for the beautiful sentiment and ideas. I think we need a word for us beyond assembly that captures that bigger purpose. perhaps convergence or family gathering or relatives?

NISHARA RAJAH NAIDOO GTA Core Group: GT global family?

Azril Bacal: A GTA planetary tribe? Azril

Tom Griffiths FPP: One useful tool for sharing 'alternatives' and resistance tied to geographies and grounded in peoples' territories is 'story maps' - perhaps people already know it? https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-storymaps/overview - - fully acknowledging that 'maps' are sometimes not appropriate and can be ethnocentric

Vasna Ramasar (she/her) GTA Core Group: Maybe the topic for another newsletter?

Shrishtee Bajpai (GTA, core group): yeah :)

Donnie Maclurcan (he/him) - Post Growth Institute, BA, Argentina: Carlotta, Paul Raskin probably has some great ideas on that 'monthly topic' too with the similar process used by the GTN

Donnie Maclurcan (he/him) - Post Growth Institute, BA, Argentina: GTN = Great Transition Network

Vasna Ramasar (she/her) GTA Core Group: Ideally, if an endorser is doing something, let's all build and support that rather than creating something else. So once we come back to you after our brain-storming, please share where you are already working on ideas.

Carlotta Byrne, The Gaia Foundation: Thanks @donnie

Azril Bacal: I voile join the facilitation team. Azril

Steven Klees - The Alternatives Project: As we close this marvelous group gathering, I urge you to check out our statement/manifesto, already signed by about 400 people from around the world! Please circulate it! https://www.thealternativesproject.org/

Tom Griffiths FPP: Would suggest 'assembly or alternative non-western name should not be too frequent and with carefully considered focused agenda to inspire hope and build the movement for sane, humane and ecological futures…

Martha Giraldo, MINGAnet: I think GTA Assembly is OK, because this is what the group is

NISHARA RAJAH NAIDOO GTA Core Group: a name to capture the bigger sentiments and purpose expressed. GTA SOLIDARITY GROUP?

NISHARA RAJAH NAIDOO GTA Core Group: Solidarity network?

NISHARA RAJAH NAIDOO GTA Core Group: beyond assembly which denotes a meeting?

Ashish Kothari GTA: Pl. join us tomorrow in the GTA webinar on Palestine’s Beautiful Resistance: evo.re/gta-2021-05

Sophia Hagolani-Albov (EXALT): I second the idea of re-sharing/post each other's efforts. It is amazing how a few shares on social media can drastically increase the audience for a post

Sophia Hagolani-Albov (EXALT): posting Donnie Maclurcan (he/him) - Post Growth Institute, BA, Argentina: The Post Growth Institute runs a cooperative social media service that harnesses the power of the members to share our updates more widely with the world: https://postgrowthalliance.org. If it's a model the GTA is interested in, we could share the method or expand to include any GTA members. Feel free to reach out Donnie@postgrowth.org.

Melanie: So many possibilities!

Martin Winiecki: Thank you especially for the GTA core team for bringing us together and really good to see everyone on this call. I need to leave in a minute already. I’ve mainly been a witness on this call, because I’m still not sure about my participation / role in this. I resonate with the suggestions around getting to know each other better and building trust in addition to the great work the core team has already been doing. I’m happy to continue to assist this assembly and to convey what’s happening here to the friends in the Defend the Sacred Alliance.

Ashish Kothari GTA: Thanks, Martin

Azril Bacal: Thank you, Donnie! Azril

Tom Griffiths FPP: Yes major thanks to GTA Core Team - the GTA and all the grassroots movements pushing for de-growth and alternative economies and wa s of living are more vital than ever - glad to be part of this group

Melanie: Thanks to each and all

Ana Heras - Community Economies Research Network: It is interesting to hear about what we think about ASSEMBLY bc in Argentina, at least for some groups, this is a very DEAR word, in so many ways, that I couldn't think of a better one… Workers, community groups, indigenous groups and so on may use the concept and practice of assembling in an assembly and sharing, either silence, talk or hugs…

Steven Klees - The Alternatives Project: GTA Solidarity Assembly isn't bad

Azril Bacal: Thank you Ashish, Vilkamp and All for organizing this GTA Assembly. Need to go. Azril

NISHARA RAJAH NAIDOO GTA Core Group: do not forget a picture

Upamanyu Das (GTA): food-space too

Melanie: And solidarity is a complicated word too

Angging Aban UPCIDS AltDev: Yes, we will surely involve this group in the 3rd Conf on Alt. we will keep u all posted.

Angging Aban UPCIDS AltDev: this will be online though

Arturo Escobar (GTA core group): Indeed, in Latin America Asamblea has mostly a very radical meaning, at least in movement sectors

Donnie Maclurcan (he/him) - Post Growth Institute, BA, Argentina: Thank you sooooo much to the core team for all your voluntary efforts!

Tom Griffiths FPP: Mine is not working - mea culpa

Abdul OTMAN @Ecolise: Thank you all

NISHARA RAJAH NAIDOO GTA Core Group: perhaps 2 months

Ana Heras - Community Economies Research Network: Thank you to the CORE group for putting the time and energy to organize this gathering

NISHARA RAJAH NAIDOO GTA Core Group: 6 per year

Ana Heras - Community Economies Research Network: Thanks to everybody who came also! It was GREAT fun, an energy boost

Mrinalini-Women4Biodiversity: Weekdays

Carlotta Byrne, The Gaia Foundation: I prefer weekdays

Martha Giraldo, MINGAnet: Decolonizing the Word assembly, We are the GTA endorsers ,(that´s what the Word reflects), we don´t have to work as a traditional assmbly.

Holly Jonas (ICCA Consortium): I prefer weekdays as well but can be flexible as needed

Tom Griffiths FPP: Mid Nov many will be occupied around climate summit? Or maybe it could be GTA assembly same time?

Steven Klees - The Alternatives Project: weekdays are always a problem for some

Ana Heras - Community Economies Research Network: I can be flexible if I know ahead of time

Tom Griffiths FPP: Good plan !

NISHARA RAJAH NAIDOO GTA Core Group: so perhaps after cop 26

Mrinalini-Women4Biodiversity: Anyone following CBD COP :)

NISHARA RAJAH NAIDOO GTA Core Group: terrific. tx!

Donnie Maclurcan (he/him) - Post Growth Institute, BA, Argentina: We at the PGI will get back to you in the coming week about possible facilitation team involvement.

Holly Jonas (ICCA Consortium): Huge thanks, everyone!! Much appreciated and such a pleasure to meet and see and learn from you all

Xochitl Leyva Solano: Thanks for this powerfull space

Ana Heras - Community Economies Research Network: no objection

Sophia - EXALT: No objection

Sophia - EXALT: :)

Donnie Maclurcan (he/him) - Post Growth Institute, BA, Argentina: no objection

Jaime Villarreal - May First: May First can also offer to host an e-mail list if that is useful.

Ashish Kothari GTA: That’s great, Jaime … you have your own?

Ashish Kothari GTA: So it could be GTAAssembly@?

Jaime Villarreal - May First: We host e-mail lists for many organizations and networks yes.