Visions for Change - 28 May

Visions for Change, the meeting place for progressive individuaals and groups in and around Norwich has monthly meetings at the Playhouse and has recently launched a website to publicize activities, events and contacts.

At our first meeting we had a round of talks about why we have come together at Visions for Change and agreed that subsequent meetings should include:

• shout-outs: about upcoming events and activities by groups and individuals
• action networking: connecting individuals to set up activities and support each other outside VFC
• education on issues: have discussions on issues we feel need to be discussed in this space. We do not want to duplicate discussions and talks already taking place, but a number of us felt the need to educate ourselves in this informal round on progressive issues. Discussions will first take place in small groups of max. 7 people on the same issue. Then we have one person from each group sit in a fish-bowl format conversation and feedback and discuss the outcome of the groups.

The meetings follow the structure above and this month's item for discussion: Successes and Problems of Campaigning Groups, Engaging the Norwich Community.
 
The fourth aspect we agreed VfC should be about is 'socializing', thus after our two hour meeting there is time for a drink in the bar afterwards! Vanessa Buth

Playhouse meeting room. 42 - 58 St Georges St. Norwich NR3 1AD, 7.30-9.30pm. All welcome.

Contact: Alan Cottey Email: alancottey@phonecoop.coop

Occupy Norwich - Visions for Change - 1 May

We are pleased to invite you to an afternoon of discussion amongst a number of forward thinking groups and individuals from in and around Norwich from 3-5pm at the Playhouse meeting room The idea is to use this special day to get to know each other and our visions as well as strengthen the Norwich civil society network.

The detailed agenda is intentionally kept open, so as to encourage an open discussion of visions for the future of Norwich, Norfolk, the UK and/or globally in light of the current climate. Beyond mutual awareness, the outcome should be the creation and growth of ideas and of
a network for potential joint activities.

We are looking forward to meeting you on 1 May. Though the event is free and open to the public, spaces are limited and we therefore kindly request to register your interest with contact@occupynorwich.org, if you have not already done so. Please feel free to forward the event to other interested groups and individuals, input and ideas are welcome from
everybody.

Vanessa Buth Occupy Norwich contact@occupynorwich.org

Visions of for Change 1 May, 3-5pm at the Playhouse meeting room (as you enter the foyer, turn right) 42 - 58 St. George's StreetNorwich, NR3 1AB. 

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Occupy Norwich - Looking Forward to the Global Spring

On 20th February we dismantled the Hay Hill camp, stacked the rubbish, swept up and looked around at a place that had become very special to us. When we set up last October, none of us knew how long it would stay. In the event, it became one of the longest continuous occupations in the world. We met thousands of people, and even if not everyone was happy to see us, at least we did what we promised - a peaceful, legal protest that shone some light into some rather dark corners.

We were often asked "So what are YOUR solutions?" But Occupy isn't about handing out solutions. We have all been conditioned to accept the system, to read the "truth" from school books and holy books, and stop thinking for ourselves. If Occupy has achieved anything, it is to make people think differently. Many people have come away realising maybe for the first time that they are both the problem and the solution.

So, we move into 2012 with mixed emotions. The camp was a big part of our identity, a visible statement of our belief that things can change. But it was also a big drain on our resources, and a lot of other plans were put on hold. Now we can devote our attention to them. Peaceful direct action, arts events, the Peoples' Assembly, education groups and of course building stronger ties with everyone working towards a fairer future. Phase 2 of Occupy has plenty to keep us busy. Phil Grimes

For full post on Occupy Norwich website.

Occupy Norwich: Moving Forward

During the last four months the Occupy movement has raised awareness of global problems and has also found broad agreement across society, both locally and globally, that these urgently need addressing: Inequality, unsustainabilty and dysfunctional democracy.

Those at the Haymarket have had positive and mutually enriching conversations with literally thousands of people during this time. Aside from the Haymarket camp - which now has its own working party - Occupy Norwich is moving on to a new phase of wider community and direct actions, educational projects, and a continued public forum for discussion.

This month we are planning a People's Assembly - basically an alternative form of government, where people from Norwich have the opportunity to discuss their interests, form working groups and basically make their own politics based on the consensus system Occupy Norwich use. Many people do not feel represented by the existing government anymore, including local councils. The idea of a Norwich People’s Assembly is to gain some influence over our own lives, practise real democracy and help the community and ourselves.

Many more activities have been carried out and are planned, like the Occupy Festival last weekend (3-5 February) that took place in venues situated across central Norwich and an on-line survey (for interim results see here).

Please do get in touch with us if you have inspirations, would love to contribute but don’t know how, want to get active or just express your opinions – we are here to listen to the 100%! Vanessa Buth

Further information about Occupy Norwich can be found at their website, on Facebook or Twitter.

Picture of Occupy Norwich assembly from Article on Occupy Movement through Pragmatist Glasses by Olaya