Radical media, politics and culture.

National Conference on Organized Resistance, January 23-25, 2004, Washington, DC

National Conference on Organized Resistance (NCOR)
January 23-25, 2004, Washington, DC

A Call for Workshop Proposals!



The National Conference on Organized Resistance (NCOR) collective is
currently accepting workshop proposals for the 7th annual NCOR, which will
take place January 23-25, 2004 at American University in Washington, DC.

NCOR is an annual event that brings together activists from a variety of
issues, struggles, ideologies and backgrounds for a weekend of learning
and reflecting on the state of progressive movements occurring locally,
nationally and worldwide. Through workshops, panel discussions,
skillshares, tabling, and the creation of an open and safe space, the
conference aims at promoting organized action amongst participants against
the injustices and inequalities that are present in our daily lives.Last year NCOR created a space for a weekend of radical discourse and
collective empowerment by featuring nearly 70 workshops, panel discussions
and skillshares on a wide variety of topics (please see
www.organizedresistance.org for previous conference schedules).


WHAT ARE THE WORKSHOPS?

NCOR provides an open forum for discussion among activists in progressive
movements.
Generally, workshops are facilitated by one person or a panel, and may be
held in lecture or discussion format. The time allocated for each workshop
is approximately 1 1/2 hours, but we are allowing space for a few
three-hour workshops this year. We encourage presenters to leave
time/space during their presentations for discussion and questions and
answers.


In the past, workshops have been broken down into three tracks:
strategy/theory, case study, and skillshares. While we include these
parameters in order to provide some sort of a starting point/framework,
while developing a workshop idea, please feel free to use your creativity
and experience to expand upon these tracks.


Strategy/theory workshops are intended to address broad, philosophical
questions in our movements and allow a constructive critique of our
actions. Some examples of workshops that were included in the strategy
track last year include Anti-Oppression Organizing Within Activist
Movements, Fighting Corporate Psychiatry, Living Holistically: Living Your
Values Beyond the Protest, Radical Pedagogy and Community Education and
Techniques of Peace and Conflict Resolution.


The case study track is intended to explore the inner workings of
movements for social change. Some examples of case study workshops from
last year are Chiapas: 9 Years of Resistance, Free DC: Racism, Statehood
and Democracy in our Nation's Capitol, Issues for Women Prisoners, Punk
and Hip-Hop Activism, and Why Go Vegan?


The third track of skills is geared toward sharing specific skills for
better organizing and better living. Last year, workshops such as
Fundraising for Radicals, Magical Activism, and Build Those Collectives
were offered.


HOW DO I SUBMIT MY PROPOSAL?

To propose a workshop for NCOR, a one to two page description of your
workshop is needed by October 17th. You may want to refer to the attached
list of workshop ideas we are hoping to solicit proposals on, but do not
feel limited to this list. In addition, please submit your name, the
organization you are representing (if applicable), full contact
information, one reference, and a short biography of yourself and/or your
organization.


Please send in your proposals via email to ncor@mutualaid.org making sure
to include the word “proposal” in the subject line.


If this is not possible, please use the mailing address listed below. You
will be notified of the status of your workshop by the second week in
November. Should your proposal be accepted, a confirmation of your
availability is needed immediately thereafter, whereupon travel and
housing accommodations will be made for you.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Check out the NCOR Website: www.organizedresistance.org


If you want more information about NCOR but do not plan on presenting,
please visit our website.


Also, if you're interested in renting a table at the conference, please
email us with “rent a table” in the subject line.


********************************************


You may e-mail proposals to: ncor@mutualaid.org


You may mail proposals to:

NCOR

4410 Massachusetts Avenue NW

PMB 282

Washington, DC 20016-5572

**********************************************



Below are three groups of sample workshops we hope to include in this
years conference. This will give you an idea of the kinds of workshops we
are looking for.



Submit your proposal now and be part of this growing event!



We hope to see workshops on:

1) Theory and Strategy of:

Basics in Economics: parts 1 and 2 for activists
International Feminism and/or Challenging Western conceptions of
feminism

Living holistically

Alternatives to Capitalism

Community Service and Challenging the System

Radical Queer Theory/Sexual Politics

Spiritual Roots of Political Resistance

Self-determination from anti-cap/anti-imperialist perspective

Resisting the continued occupation of Iraq

Direct action panel

2) Case-Studies such as:

Update on the Middle East

The Political ramifications of AIDS

Hip-Hop, Punk, Folk, and More: Music and Culture of Resistance

Gentrification in DC

The Development and Maintenance of Intentional communities

Incorporating peace into the education system

Local campaigns in Africa

Euro-centrism in social justice movement

IMF role in the Asian financial crisis

Effects of Sprawl

Nonviolent case studies

Israel/Palestine with a focus on peace activism on the part of
Palestinians AND Israelis

Homeless/hunger issues

Update on the situation in Iran

Immigrant detentions; background and resistance

Patriot Act

FTAA: Miami and beyond; the basics and next steps


3) Specific Skills such as:

Ethical Shopping (addressing animal rights, consumerism)

Toward a Car free culture

How to start a co-op/collective/organization

Learning how to speak/listen with an emphasis on gender

How to combine the arts and activism

Crash course on facilitation

How to sort through media sources

Basics in Bike repair

How to start your own Food Not Bombs

See you in January!

In peace and solidarity,

The 2004 NCOR collective

****PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY!!!****



www.organizedresistance.org