Free learning and training in 2012

Tim Gee

23 January 2012

I recently heard someone say that you learn more in a day of taking action than in years of talking about it. I tend to agree, but only in part. Talking without doing is pretty useless. But the only way our political actions will keep improving is if we have time to reflect on them in between.

Friends of the Earth is well known for its campaigns, and in the past 12 months alone has an impressive record of success. Central to that success is our 200-strong local group network. In next few months there will be a series of events for campaigners old and new to meet, reflect and learn from each other. These will be in Liverpool, Leeds, Cumbria, Nottingham, Newcastle, Bristol, London and Plymouth.

Reflection isn't the only role for such events. The other is preparing to do new things. After all, a musician would probably practice before performing to an audience. Even if they were improvising they would do so with a knowledge of scales and chord sequences. The analogy works for campaigning - and our training events are a chance to get a grounding in some essential campaigning skills.

The events are also a chance to gen up on the issues. We've got introductory sessions about bees (which we're calling 'Bee Prepared') planned in London, High Wycombe and Darlington, with more to come in The Midlands and Wales. On the theme of fixing Britain's broken energy system we've got an event named 'Re-energise' in Preston for people across The North and a masterclass on community-owned renewable energy in London - this one is for people across the country.

People usually report that they find such events both useful and inspiring, not only because of the content but because of the people they meet. Some there will have been involved for years, and for some it's their first campaigning event.

If you'd like to get involved, we'd love to see you there. There aren't many places where these kinds of skills-building opportunities are both accessible and free of charge. We're proud to be one of them. So come along, join in, and let's win some more campaigns together.

Full list of regional events in the first half of 2012.

Tim Gee, Activism team

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