Here Comes Everyone: XR's strategy for 2023-24 aims sees strengthening communities as the path to effective climate protest
There’s something exciting about the way that Extinction Rebellion, as an activist movement, is evolving itself in public, using their development and growing pains as a teachable moment for many other struggles. This XR strategy paper for 2023-2024 reflects on their recent public demonstration, The Big One, staged in and around the Westminster Parliament - and what will need to happen before the tribes and forces they assembled come back there again. Here’s the summary for that paper:
In the last four years, Extinction Rebellion has shifted public opinion on the climate and ecological emergency in a way that no other organisation or movement had managed before. Yet we remain locked in a dangerous and destructive status quo.
We realise that to achieve our vision of a genuinely sustainable and equitable future for people and the planet, a transformation of our political system, of our social culture, and of our economy is urgently needed. It is a view increasingly shared by parts of the establishment itself.
Our Theory of Change has long outlined how change can be achieved by mobilising people to take action on streets, day after day. But the climate and ecological crisis is unlike a traditional single issue, and presents us with a unique set of circumstances. The transformation needed will affect everyone, in all corners of the earth, in all aspects of their lives. Unlike a single issue campaign, to be successful we have to achieve not just sufficient numbers but also a wider spectrum of support across society.
So our attention, after the culmination of the first part of the strategy in April, is now also turning to who is being mobilised. Over the course of 2023-24, Extinction Rebellion UK will foster a new era of cooperation with other organisations, along with empowered local communities. This is the work that will build the social, political and cultural capital we need for this scale of change.
We do not exist to build armies; instead, taking advantage of our unique strengths, we will work collaboratively with others to build a community of civil resistance. Following on from the success of ‘The Big One’, Extinction Rebellion UK will play a central role in convening and mobilising that community. We invite everyone. We will respect other views and approaches.
We recognise that the conditions for transformative change are more favourable now than at any time since XR’s inception. The moment has come.
Here comes everyone.
At the head of this post is a video of an Open Call presenting this strategy (the video discussion begins properly at 2.55)
We liked these “10 Characteristics of a healthy and resilient community” from the paper itself, evidence of XR’s deep thinking on these matters in recent years:
Proximity
Collective recognition that simply being together will bridge many divides, that opportunities to experience genuine togetherness must be created if they are not inherent in daily life.
Shared values and Prized values
Value is now taught as attributed to achievement or status. A healthy culture would mean a community that assigns the highest value to the exercise of kindness, empathy and care.
The Community consists of all living beings, we are all part of the natural world
Treating all life as worthy of care and respect, and inseparable from each other.
Community Belonging
Recognising everyone belongs or no one does. In a community, all members are not just valued, but given voice.
Active and Direct Participation in Decision-making
Recognising the dangers of not participating or participating through remote proxies.
Sharing and Connection
The need for continuous checking in with each other must extend beyond proximity into practices that actively facilitate connection and sharing.
Trust building over time
Commiting to processes and practices that takes time.
Practices and Tools to deal with disagreement and conflict
Accepting conflict will occur, but being accountable for our own part in it.
Resource sharing
Hoarding of resources is commonly deterred through cultural norms and peer pressure.
Circular production and consumption where possible
Understanding where all resources and goods start, not just end.