You know those moments of inspiration and solidarity that can sometimes change the world? We want the Global Just Recovery Gathering, a free 3-day online event for the global climate movement to reconnect and mobilize, to be one of those. But in order for a gathering to have that kind of impact, it can’t be open to only one type of person.
We’ve shared in our past few blogs, just how we’re making this virtual gathering as diverse, accessible and multilingual as possible. But how do you host a global gathering online and ensure that areas that don’t have the best online access (often some of the people hardest hit by the climate crisis) are an integral part of the discussion?
“Unfortunately, the technology of online conference systems reflects the ableist culture we swim in. The online engineers assumed people could see. The salespeople assumed everyone could understand English. The platforms assumed your internet was strong.”
Daniel Hunter, Global Just Recovery Gathering organiser
Enter the Global Just Recovery Gathering Watch Parties.
In regions like Africa and the Pacific, 350 staff and volunteers are organising and hosting “watch parties”, venues that will be screening the Just Recovery Gathering sessions live, where people who can’t access the GJRG on the internet on their own can visit to enjoy and engage in the experience.
We’re excited to see our teams around the Pacific bringing their communities together to be part of the Global #JustRecovery Gathering this weekend. If you’re in Fiji, you can check @350Fiji FB and IG for more details.
Join us: https://t.co/ULvgxTEjdb pic.twitter.com/ZgSERv0ILq
— 350 Pacific (@350Pacific) April 7, 2021
This is a beautiful example of community solutions to systemic inequality, and a display of the care that has gone into ensuring that everyone has a seat at the virtual table this weekend. From Fiji to Samoa to South Africa to Ghana, hosts have offered up physical spaces so that attendees in their area can join our online one.
The Global #JustRecovery Gathering watch party hosted by the Rise up Movement has kicked off in KAMPALA, Uganda!
A Just recovery is possible! pic.twitter.com/pgTdQFfKpB
— Rise up Movement (@TheRiseUpMovem1) April 9, 2021
It’s a #JustRecovery night-in for most of us in the Pacific. Joining in the #StopAdani workshop happening now! https://t.co/frOszKMTQJ pic.twitter.com/pwUSdhp6HI
— 350 Pacific (@350Pacific) April 9, 2021
Follow @350Pacific and @350Africa to see more coverage of these beautiful watch parties, or share photos/videos of your own with the #JustRecovery hashtag on Twitter or Instagram.