Commons Conversations Podcast: Insights into Activism

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Introduction

Commons Conversations was a summer series of radio programs in which campaigners shared their experiences and insights into activism, learning in movements, radical history and more. The program was broadcast by Community Radio 3CR and produced by the Commons Social Change Library. Episodes can be listened to below.

Episodes

Episode 1: Elly Desmarchelier and El Gibbs

Elly Desmarchelier and El Gibbs

El Gibbs is a campaigner and award winning writer whose work focuses on disability and social justice issues. In this interview she and writer, speaker and disability rights advocate Elly Desmarchelier discuss their experiences of campaigning around a range of causes. They also chat about ways in which campaigns can become more effective, strategic and accessible, about learning from mistakes, and the importance of rest and fun in creating sustainable, deep and lasting change.

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Episode 2: Millie Telford and Grace Vegesana

Millie Telford and Grace Vegesana

In this episode Millie Telford is interviewed by Grace Vegesana, the Climate & Racial Justice Director for the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC). Millie was active in AYCC prior to co-founding and leading Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network. She worked with Seed for ten years and has recently moved on, focusing on First Nations justice through a new role at Australian Progress. During the interview Millie discusses a range of recent shifts that have come about in Australian society through the activism of First Nations communities. She also outlines the challenges for those communities in finding and working with allies, and the way in which centering the voices of those most affected by issues works to benefit all.

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Episode 3: Laurence Cox and Iain McIntyre

Laurence Cox

Commons Librarian Iain McIntyre interviews Irish activist and researcher Laurence Cox about the nature and role of learning in creating social change. Laurence has been involved in a range of movements for more than 35 years. In his day job he researches social movements and co-edits the activist/academic movement journal Interface. Alongside using reflection, learning and sharing to improve a range of practical skills Laurence discusses how various projects and organisations, including Movement Learning Catalyst, are working to help activists address broader dilemmas to do with strategy and movement building. 

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Episode 4: Sarah Schulman and Holly Hammond

Sarah Schulman

This episode features an interview by Commons Librarian Holly Hammond with novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and historian Sarah Schulman. They discuss the nature of effective coalitions, the challenges of accurately documenting social movements, and lessons from campaigns led by the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) during the 1980s and 1990s. A participant in the campaigns, Schulman’s book, Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York, 1987-1993, is based on over 200 interviews with those involved in the fight for healthcare and justice for people living with AIDS and HIV.

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Episode 5: Maddy Rose Braddon and Holly Hammond

Maddy Rose Braddon

Commons Librarian Holly Hammond chats with Maddy Rose Braddon, who works as a connector and collaborator with people and networks to help them thrive in communities impacted by climate change. They reflect on the impact of climate change on Northern New South Wales, the lessons to be drawn from community led responses to disaster, and the role of local, grassroots institutions in leading recovery efforts. 

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Episode 6: Geraldine Fela and Iain McIntyre

Geraldine Fela

How did a rank and file led campaign force the University of Melbourne to hand over $31.5 million in stolen wages? To find out Commons Librarian Iain McIntyre chats with Geraldine Fela, a member of the National Tertiary Education Union and a former delegate with the University of Melbourne’s Casual Network. She discusses how a strong group, built around concerted campaigning and a culture of grassroots democracy, forced the university into conceding better conditions and paying back stolen wages.

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Episode 7: Laura O’Connell Rapira and Holly Hammond

This episode features an interview with Laura O’Connell Rapira, the former director of Aotearoa digital campaign organization ActionStation and former executive director of movement building at the Foundation for Young Australians. In conversation with Commons Librarian Holly Hammond they discuss the importance of putting shared values at the heart of campaigning and other work, as well as the significance of contributions by youth and First Nations to social change. Laura also reflects on assisting people to work together across difference in terms of background, life experiences and approaches to social change through the creation of meeting and organizing spaces where people can show up as their full selves.

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Thank you

Thank you to all the interviewers and interviewees! We’d also liked to thank Australian Progress for their input in the early days of this project and 3CR for putting the show on the radio. This project was supported by the John T Reid Charitable Trusts as part of their funding for the Commons volunteer program.

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