Named Sponsorship of Refugees – an idea whose time has arrived

I still remember the refugee welcome movement in 2015 and 2016. It was very heart-warming to see lots of people across the UK who were keen and ready to do their bits to address the refugee crisis.

During those early days, there were many pragmatic people exploring the possibility of having refugee sponsorship scheme in the UK similar to that of Canada, where people could step in and do what they are good at – welcoming newcomers and taking them in an exciting journey of welcome and integration.

With the introduction of the Community Sponsorship Scheme in the UK; and the willingness of people around the country to embrace the scheme and see it succeed, we saw a steady success of the scheme. As people were welcoming refugees through the Community Sponsorship scheme, we could see ordinary people doing extraordinary things from Manchester to Merton, from  Pembrokeshire in Wales to Edinburgh in Scotland and beyond.

As the scheme developed, there was one vital question people often asked. Can we identify a refugee ourselves? Can we name and  sponsor them? Hence the call for named sponsorship, whose time has now come.

I remember the time I was fortunate to spend in Canada studying about the refugee sponsorship scheme and hearing its impact from the likes of Jim Estill of Danby Appliances and from colleagues and friends at University of Ottawa’s Refugee Hub, University of Windsor and many other great places across Canada.

Thanks to The ChurchillFellowship for the opportunity to visit Canada those days. I was able to see the best of refugee sponsorship scheme and learnt how it empowers civil society to do what is right at the right time. I saw refugee sponsorship as a Community Organising and Leadership Development tool. I saw it as an enabler for building power; as an enabler for helping leaders to participant in public life; as an enabler for building institutions; and as an engine for taking meaningful actions.

For the reportage on my learning in Canada and the recommendations written following my fellowship in 2018, please click HERE

I trust the new named sponsorship scheme could help us organise in depth; and bring a sense of urgency and togetherness during this challenging time. The named sponsorship scheme avails opportunities to community leaders, community groups, universities, businesses and others to step in. Time to explore this exciting  scheme and try it for yourself.

For more on the scheme, please click HERE

 

Wild Times Gathering – A Moment of Togetherness in Birmingham!

 

A few days ago, I had the privilege of attending the Wild Times Gathering, professionally and beautifully organised by Social Change Nest.

Described by Social Change Nest as a gathering “for the brave, the frustrated, the grieving, and the hopeful”, it was an incredibly inclusive, diverse and multifaceted space; one that brought people together not only to share ideas, but also to connect, reflect, recharge and imagine what might be possible when we organise collectively and intentionally.

When I signed up for the gathering, I imagined an opportunity to meet like-minded people, build relationships and explore possibilities for working together. As someone who is passionate about community organising, collective action and creating meaningful relational opportunities, I expected a space for sharing stories, strategizing and taking stock of where we are and where we might go next.

As the event drew closer and the agenda and details of the Gathering were shared, it became increasingly clear that this was going to be much more than that. It was a space to learn and share; to charge and recharge; and to reimagine our organising and campaigning work together.

In many ways, the Gathering brought Heads, Hearts and Hands together. It encouraged us to think beyond familiar approaches, push boundaries, look outside the boxes we sometimes put ourselves in, and consider what might happen when we work with the unusual suspects.

From the very beginning, there was a palpable sense of energy and enthusiasm. People came ready to listen, share, connect and embark on a journey together. The stories shared throughout the Gathering were powerful, enriching and, at times, challenging. These stories remind us that meaningful change often begins with listening to experiences that we may not otherwise hear.

When someone shares a story, we have a choice. We may act or in-act. At times we pause and reflect. We also take time to process what we have heard and return with ideas and plans for action. But powerful stories rarely leave us exactly where they found us.

One story that particularly stayed with me came from a gentleman who spoke candidly about the personal cost of campaigning and standing up for what he believed in. He shared:

“Over the past 10 years or so, I have lost many good friends because of my views and campaign work. Some of the friends who are no longer with me were my friends for decades. Stories like mine are not often shared, but these stories are there across the country. People leave networks and friendships because of their actions.”

His words have stayed with me.

They are a reminder that behind campaigns, movements and calls for social change are real people, real relationships and sometimes very real personal costs. They also remind us that we are not alone in navigating the challenges that come with organising for a more just society.

As we live through increasingly challenging times, it is more important than ever to come together; to listen to one another, express solidarity, build relationships and find meaningful ways to act collectively.

Our collaboration and togetherness are no longer optional; they are a necessity. As the saying goes: together, we are better.

A huge thank you and kudos to everyone who shared their perspectives, facilitated sessions, told their stories and contributed to making the Wild Times Gathering such a meaningful experience.

And a special thank you to Social Change Nest for creating and holding this space, and to the Quakers in Britain for hosting this gathering.

We need more gatherings like this; spaces where we can be brave enough to listen, generous enough to learn, courageous enough to reimagine, and connected enough to act together.

We need more of this!

 

 

Blessed are the organisers as they get us Organised – Revisiting the Berlin Convening!

 

In the past few days, I spent some quality time with organisers, activists, social thinkers, trainers and global change agents gathered from across the world in Berlin for the Porticus Move Gathering and Winter Academy.

As participants arrived in Berlin, they all came with their expectations and hopes. Anything they could learn? Anything they could share? Opportunity to engage? Build relationships and have some safe spaces?

It all started with a dinner reception at the heart of Berlin and sharing a mouth-watering food and laughter. Great choice of a restaurant that was so accommodative of preferences and life styles of folks.

As soon as the convening kicked off, there was a lot on the table and lots of food for thought and to process. Packed agenda. Lots to navigate through. It showed how much the team at the European Alternatives had done to deliver and excel. Braver Space and the due attention given to safeguarding is worth mentioning and commending. As someone who has been at many conferences, workshops, convenings, to see this level of attention for safety and care is encouraging. It is vital to step back and reflect on self-care and self-love as we navigate through this testing time.

As the conversations continued and sessions run, all I could see was participants’ hunger for change. For me, it was all about how we could channel our Anger to Hope and consequently to Action. It is all about our actions, not our words. Hence to see actions in place at the move gathering was gratifying. To practise what one preaches; to go beyond great words, and Walk the Talk is more than important; and that was what we saw in practice in Berlin.

This reminds me of a session I led on Organising Lived Experience and the reactions from Rikko Voorberg, from the World of Neighbours, on why he is doing what he is doing? As Rikko was sharing stories, I could see where he was coming from; where his convictions come from, why actions are important to him. That reminded me of James 2:14-16 in the bible:-

Faith and Deeds

 “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”

European Alternatives and through them Porticus have done a magnificent job in bringing folks together; and also sharing with one another. What we need now is to keep working on the learning and delivering on our purposes both as organisations and individuals. My organisation, Asylum Reform Initiative/Together with Refugees is working to deliver on its purpose and collaborate with allies.

If you want to see change, be the change you want to be and bring others on board through the process. Change is possible!

 

Community Organising as the work of Head, Heart and Hands!

Community Organising is needed today more than ever. Lots of pressing issues to work on in an organised and consistent way.  We need to do strategic analysis; have the right motivation and take actions. We need to have the heart to listen to the stories and connect; we need to have the head to do the analysis and have intellectual engagement; we need to have the hands to do the practical work, roll sleeves and get stuck.

Today, more than ever, people up and down our globe face difficult issues on a daily basis. They hear stories that are very concerning and demanding. Issues that need collective responses. Hence it is vital to do more and more Community Organising with concentration on distributed organising focusing on those mostly affected by the issues. Making sure those with lived experience of the issues we want to work on and address have meaningful and active participation in the decision making process.

Most recently I was able to join Marshall Ganz in central London along with colleagues from The Centre for Progressive Change. I found the engagement with Marshall very rewarding and fulfilling

Marshall is one of the leading voices and scholars of Community Organising with more than 6 decades of experience. What was interesting during our session was Marshall’s humility; his willingness to listen, engage and get us focused. Despite the hours we spent together, we didn’t want the session to end as there was always something new and engaging. He left us wanting more of his time. Marshall is now actively investing in the next generation and the generation after in Community Organising as the work of Head, Heart and Hands.  Marshall refers to the 3 core questions organisers ask.  

1.  Who are my people? 
2.  What is the change we need? 
3.  How can we turn our resources into the power we need to achieve that change? 

As we engage in Community Organising, we need to keep asking the above three questions. The people; the change needed and the power needed to effect the change. After all blessed are the organised!

Stories matter; Actions matter most!

We often hear stories of those who are fleeing their homes searching for protection and safety. Stories about those who often go through treacherous journeys. Stories of those often exploited and suffer from all forms of atrocities.

We also hear stories of those who are keen to roll their sleeves up, get organised and do what it takes to welcome and support. Stories of those who are keen to speak to their elected representatives in an organised way and find solutions.

Yes these stories matter and inspire us; they challenge us on a daily basis; stay with us for a while. What matters most is the choice we take. Action or Inaction? Our actions or Inactions determine the outcomes. Action is what helps us address our anger; our concerns; our frustrations; and the call to do the right thing at the right time.

Campaign Organising Network is a good platform to be part of and do what is right today. As part of the Together with Refugees initiative, the Campaign Organising Network is there to support local organisers, activists, campaigners and all those keen to engage in welcome and show the better side.

Glad to be part of this network and offer training and practical support. So good to see more than 100 people and groups joining the Campaign Organising Network most recently. Some have taken the Practical Organising Tools  and The Practical Campaigning Tools training that take place online. Many others have signed up or are signing up.

The call is as always clear. 'May every community, every neighbourhood, everyone capable to help do so and change the lives of those stuck in the system.'

You can join the Campaign Organising Network and work with amazing organisations including Freedom from Torture Asylum Reform Initiative and many others around the country.

In addition you could benefit from the training and see if Organising is for you. More info on the Campaign Organising Network could be found in the below link.

https://togetherwithrefugees.org.uk/campaign-organising-network/