Looking at some of the media, talks and resources that are going around it looks like a number of Occupy Groups around the world are changing from a tenting political protest into more public engagement with an outreach and educational focus.
Links :
- http://au.news.yahoo.com/queensland/a/-/latest/12317321/not-just-about-tents-for-occupy-wellington/
- http://www.bankofideas.org.uk/welcome/
- http://www.occupyadelaide.org/2011/12/occupy-tampa-a-proposed-declaration-of-intent/
- http://maxlaneonline.com/2011/12/08/article-why-occupy-is-so-politically-explosive-by-max-lane/#more-1004
These articles are great – very inspiring!
I really like the concept of the “bank of ideas” and having a permanent public space that can be used for many community-centred purposes in that way. I also love that the prerequisite in London is that there is no monetary trading – just exchange of ideas, skillshare, etc. This is something I would really like to set up in Adelaide.
Although I don’t think we’ll have the opportunity of repossessing a building like in London, I think the idea of sourcing a public space, indoors, that is resistant the the elements and capable of hosting a range of activities sustainably, as they intend to do in Wellington, is a great long-term plan for Adelaide.
I will mull this over and draft a proposal for consideration in a few GA’s time – so we can get Christmas and New Year sorted before moving onto planning big things like this…. My mind is working overtime with proposal ideas and I’m in desperate need of a sounding board!!
Oh – forgot… Occupy Sydney are running a “freeschool” – basically like my idea of running workshops – skillshare, infoshare, etc. They are doing it in a mobile way – meaning they go out to suburbs with their workshops. This requires booking public spaces to do it (not always a fee for this), which requires a strong outreach team that is well organized. I can see us doing this in Adelaide too – and I put up my hand wholeheartedly! We just need stability and commitment at our core!
BTW – David and I visited Occupy Sydney last night as soon as we got off the plane (anyone surprised that’s the first thing we did?!)… they’re hanging in there by a thread re: on the ground occupation, but really busting their balls to evolve and reach out to the wider community
Yes, i recon its time to occupy the ‘burbs. There are so many people who are unable to get to the city for transport reasons, i.e., petrol and parking costs, and a less than adequate public transport system in the outer suburbs. Again, these are good strategies to put forward to the GA in the New Year re.short and long term goals of OA.
I too love the Bank of Ideas as a creative common non-monetary space; have been thinking about it as well
What comes to mind is the ACC, or a church building, would the Quakers have a space (Harald has been to couple of meetings). We’ll need a good brain-storming session on how to source something if the GA decides that this is a good idea to pursue. may brain is storming already, lol, in sync with yours 