CEPS seminar series 2008
Working against the grain to change the world: possibilities and challenges for social change

Overall theme of the seminar series:

Margaret Thatcher’s famous slogan – there is no alternative (to neo-liberalism) –seems to have become the status quo. We are made to believe that in the current system, regardless of the conditions of one’s birth, economic mobility and success are always possible; that power is defuse and anyone has access to it; and that competition for economic and political resources is open and fair. Competition, individual responsibility, private property, consumerism, economic growth, free market, privatization of state services, increased spending on national security and war are thought to be as necessary and inevitable as the laws of physics.

Whether we are working in the community, university, unions, cultural scene or within government structure and programs, it is more and more difficult to contest these kinds of ideas and to work for social transformation to a more just, equitable and democratic society.

Heretics, lefties, radicals, militants, moralists, subjectivists … are just some of the terms used to denounce actors who attempt to debunk these myths and who dare suggest other ways of understanding human nature and contemporary society. At this point in history, however, we cannot afford to ignore these voices.

How do people who hold these kinds of views put their ideas into practice? Is it still possible to create and defend autonomous spaces/opportunities and practices that contest relations of power and capitalism?

This seminar series will raise these questions, analyze the political, economic and social contexts but more importantly, explore how people are attempting to change the world – be they struggling against the pursuit of colonialism here or abroad, working to transform neighbourhood life, developing alliances or critical practice within public institutions or attempting to promote and create alternative artistic spaces and ideas.

Each specific seminar will feature one guest who will introduce the topic and present the wider context, as well as three others who are working to change the world in different milieus. These three guests will be invited to discuss the contradictions, obstacles and challenges that they face in their daily activities, be they internal (power dynamics, limits of democracy, confrontation of ideas) or external (relation with allies with differing ideological perspectives, with media, with the public). Moreover, they will share their ideas about what sustains them and gives them the courage to continue to fight this uphill battle on the margins of the mainstream.

Calendar and program (Fridays from 3:00 to 5:00 pm)
May: Breaking out of the colonial project
June: Neighbourhood life: the local in question
October: Social change from within public institutions: Is there any breathing space to be found?
November: Creating artistic spaces of liberty

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Details regarding seminar 1: BREAKING OUT OF THE COLONIAL PROJECT

Date: May 16th 2008 (from 3 to 5pm)
Organizers: Myriam Beaudry and Anna Kruzynski
Place: Café Sarajevo, 6548 St-Laurent.

Theme
In the rich countries of the North, the Global Justice Movement is dominated by organisations wanting to win a seat for « civil society » at the decision-making table of the powerful institutions so that they can push for reforms that once implemented would make globalisation more humane, more just. This vision, this strategy, however, is not shared by all. On the margins of the mainstream are groups that believe that neoliberal globalisation is but a continuation of capitalist colonisation of the commons and of Peoples. And that any strategy that involves negotiation with the bearers of such a project and participation in their structures of « good governance » ends up legitimizing a process that is rotten at its roots. These are the actors that will share with us their insights on their battle against neo-colonialism and on the challenges and contradictions that they are confronted with in their daily struggle for social justice.

Guests to be announced soon.

francais