Take Part
We are a group of community practitioners, activists, adult educators and academics with shared concerns: to strengthen civil society through community-based research and learning for democracy and social justice. This manifesto sets out our mission and aims: through sharing experiences, providing mutual support and advocating for policy changes for the future, both locally and nationally.
We live in challenging times
Britain is not alone in becoming increasing polarised in recent years. It is not only that poverty and inequality have been growing. Political polarisation has also been increasing as Far Right politicians exploit people’s fears and anxieties, playing on popular feelings of alienation and distrust. ‘Fake news’ has exacerbating these problems, accompanied by the increasing incidence of hate speech – and hate crime. So how to combat these challenges more effectively?
Community-based education and development can make significant contributions to addressing these challenges
They can enable communities to identify the underlying causes of their problems, rather than simply blaming ‘the other’. Community -based learning and research can build critical knowledge and understanding, providing the basis for developing collective strategies and action for social and environmental justice.
The importance of building and strengthening collaborative networks and partnerships
We are committed to enabling different organisations, civil society organisations and communities to come together, sharing skills and resources and developing projects – to link up with other networks and to find specific spaces for collaboration, building on their experiences of working on practical issues.
We welcome opportunities to collaborate with those who share our commitment to community-based learning and research, building partnerships and sharing experiences in order to strengthen democracy and civil society, working together to promote democratic strategies for social and environmental justice.
To view our full manifesto, click here