The COVID-19 pandemic is keeping many of us at home. Without the usual forums, film nights, and other campaign activities how can we connect to inspiration and continue learning? Here are several resources from the Commons and beyond.
Watch
Films about social movement struggles, victories and leaders
A great list of inspirational films and docos crowdsourced by the Change Agency – featuring films from Australia and around the world.
19 must-see historic Australian peaceful protest docos
James Price Point, Jabiluka, Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Franklin River, Wave Hill walk-off, Green Bans, Freedom Rides, Goolengook forest blockade and more – an amazing list of docos put together by Galilee Rising. Get watching!
TED Talks on activism and social movements
Now is that chance to watch that TED talk you have been meaning to! The Commons Librarians have picked out for you interesting talks on activism, social movements and organising.
9 Videos from Key Thinkers on How to Change the World
Do you want to change the world? 9 videos about social change and creating a better future collated by The RSA.
5 films about fighting for gender justice and fundamental human rights
What does it really look like to be a feminist leader today? Meet grassroots movements and community leaders.
Films for Action
The largest film library for social change on the web. Find over 5,000 of the best documentaries, short films and videos that you can watch free online. Explore over 40 topics such as food, sustainability, econo
Listen
Social Change Radio Directory
Find a new radio show to listen to! The Commons Social Change Radio Directory includes details of almost 100 radio shows from 5 Australian states.
Podcasts About Taking Action During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Everyone is talking about the Covid-19 pandemic and the way it is shaking up our lives! You’ll find Coronavirus related content on most podcasts you could listen to. These ones have a particular focus on the implications for social movements.
ChangeMakers Podcasts
The ChangeMakers podcast tells stories about people who are striving for social change across the world. The aim is to help us all become better at making change, in a world that needs progressive change more than ever.
People’s History of Australia
This new podcast and blog look at Australian history from the perspective of ordinary people fighting together for a better life.
Brave New Words
Brave New Words takes listeners on a journey around the globe with renowned communications researcher and campaign advisor Anat Shenker-Osorio as she unpacks real-world narrative shifts that led to real-world victories.
Climactic Podcasts
Climactic is a weekly Australian podcast show telling the stories of the climate community. There are stories about politics, fatigue, community care and climate impacts.
Catastrophe or transformation? Climate psychology podcasts
These podcasts explore the range of emotional responses to the climate and biodiversity crisis through conversations between climate psychologists and friends.
Read
Reset Reading Group
Time to reset – A reading group set up by The Commons Library sparking ideas and discussion in the form of articles, podcasts and films shared by 6 passionate progressive thinkers. Themes include climate justice, challenging disaster capitalism, revitalising democracy, and building a new economy. [Note: Registration for RRG organised groups closed at the end of April but you are free to set up your own group and/or follow the program online].
Book Reviews
Looking for longer reads? These reviews will give you ideas for books to read.
How to inspire a young activist? A collection of books for kids and teens
A comprehensive, inspiring list of books to read the kids.
Learn
7 online MOOCs about social change and activism
Are you ready to learn more about social change and activism? Here are 7 MOOCs from Oxfam International and universities. MOOCs stands for Massive Open Online Courses which are free online courses that have no entry requirements.
Momentum webinars
The Momentum Community has shared webinars on movements, mass decentralised organising, mobilisation, non-violent movements and case studies including the Sunrise movement and Hong Kong democracy movement.
ChangeMakers Organising School
Recordings and notes from the series of training sessions hosted by ChangeMakers specially crafted for the Covid-19 context and beyond. Includes details of how to join upcoming sessions.
ChangeMakers Organising School
Recordings and notes from the series of training sessions hosted by ChangeMakers and Tipping Point and specially crafted for the Covid-19 context. Includes details of how to join upcoming sessions.
Public Narrative and How to Build a Team Online Courses
Learn from expert community organiser Marshall Ganz in these Resistance School courses.
Australian Progress
Watch webinars and conferencesvideos from Australia Progress, which work to strengthen the capacity of non-profits and other community groups to create systemic change.
Explore the Commons
The whole Commons Social Change Library is all about learning to be more effective change agents! You might like to start with these Topic Overviews that guide you through many key resources:
- Digital Campaigning: Start Here
- Organising: Start here
- Nonviolent Direct Action (NVDA): Start Here
- Creative activism: Start Here
- Activist Archiving: Start Here
- The Coronavirus/Covid-19 resources on the Commons.
Please note: Many activist educators and campaigning organisations are modifying their usual training programs, or coming up with new ones, and making them available online. For a list of places to start seeing the Commons Collections contributors on the Browse page.
The Commons Librarians wish you a safe, connected and educational lockdown!
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