When change is needed, both pleas for activism and for dialogue resound. The bond between these two can be complex: at times activism and dialogue seem to go hand in hand; at other times they are seeming opposites. In this gathering, we'll share insights in strategies for enacting change and support each other in our activist and dialogic practices.
During this afternoon program people engaged with societal causes and movements on and off campus are invited to explore the back and forth relation of activism and dialogue. Individual students and staff are welcome; students and staff from organizations around VU are welcome; but we explicitly open up this space for individuals from outside VU too, to join us in exploring this topic. It is necessary to sign up for this event. We are aware that this is a lengthy program. Although, of course, we encourage full participation, we want to be mindful of your time and offer the possibility to participate in parts 2 and 3 of the program only.
We will use different techniques, with the larger group, subgroups and individually, to reflect on questions like:
- Are both activism and dialogue part of enacting change and what is their relation?
- How do we value our relation to other people and organizations in our engagement?
- What experiences of loneliness or alienation do we bring with us?
- To whom can our own practices of activism and dialogue be exclusionary?
For those unfamiliar with our organization, NEWConnective is the VU's platform for Life's Big Questions. One of these questions is, in our view, how to engage with the world. In the past, we've worked together on this topic with Stage for Dialogue, 3D and student union SRVU; as well as XR Amsterdam and Let Us Speak. For reference, we offer you our earlier podcast episode with Jedidja Kloens and Samuel Lee on compassion fatigue and activism burnout.