All Powered Up 200929 April 2009
Power Up 2009 was a fantastic weekend - full of motivating workshops, good networking opportunities and happy smiles.
Together with the Rights and Justice team, over 40 participants came together from a diverse range of groups campaigning on issues including:
- Open cast coal
- Incinerator and road building
- Air and noise pollution on a council estate
What we did
We held a mock planning committee meeting, so participants could get a flavour of what public participation in decision making is actually like.
We ran workshops about the planning system and legal tools for campaigners, which got people talking.
We took everyone on a guided walk around Birmingham to bring show them how community empowerment can change the places you live, work, learn, play and shop in.
We played a giant board game which took residents of the sleepy town 'Ropey Bottom' through the steps of their campaign to stop an incinerator being built on their doorstep.
We painted a message about environmental justice on the pieces of a giant jigsaw....
...and put them together...
What they said
We had some lovely feeback from participants. Here's a selection:
I feel like Tigger now, energised and ready to go.
From a lady fighting a proposed Tesco superstore
Having access to these experts and to have them interested in helping on our campaign - it's a dream come true for us.
A couple fighting to protect a strip of greenbelt from a road development
You know what, he always falls asleep at conferences. But he's been awake ALL DAY today.
From campaigners working to protect the residents on their estate from the harmful environmental impacts of a nearby hospital and supermarket development.
All in all, a weekend that brought together some tremendous, tenacious and talented people to learn new skills and inspire each other.
Resources
Take a look at the Community Rights Resource Pack, which was used by participants during the weekend.
© Friends of the Earth
