ISSP July 2024 Working Session: Bridging Climate Activism and Institutional Practice

About the event

In this presentation, we'll explore the growing tension between calls to action from climate and social justice activists, and institutional capacity to respond to hold space and engage in meaningful dialogue that results in trusting relationships and effective practice. 

Just as important as our work output is how we work; the relationships we hold with ourselves, each other, and valuable knowledge all shape what we create and contribute to. Attendees will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of how to leverage the knowledge and value of inter-generational activists to the benefit of research, policy, and workplace culture. Specifically, topics of hiring practices, community engagement research, and public communications and statements will be covered. Weaving approaches to anti-racism, disability justice, and decolonization, this session will leave attendees with action-oriented toolbox additions to take the next step in fostering deeper community relationships that can lead to the more just and sustainable futures we are all working towards. 

Format

We facilitate our digital shared spaces using dynamic practices informed by psychology research on 'Zoom fatigue' to honor the mental and physical strains of long-term video conferencing, diverse learning styles, and accessibility needs.

Our spaces are also always caregiver friendly; please do not feel the need to apologize for any responsibilities that arise before or during our session.

If you have any accessibility needs or, advocacy and intervention expectations for me as a facilitator, please email directly at larissa@futureancestors.ca with [ISSP Working Session] in the subject line.

Objectives

• Deepen an understanding of how to build capacity to engage with inter-generational activists in institutional spaces, policy, and research
• Explore actionable steps to respond to local and global climate and social justice activism in authentic and effective ways
• Build awareness of the significance of Indigenous leadership in UN SDG implementation

Meet your presenter

Larissa Crawford proudly passes on Métis and Jamaican ancestry to her daughter, Zyra, and is a published Indigenous, anti-racism, and climate justice researcher, policy advisor, and restorative circle keeper with over 15 years of experience.

Larissa is also the Founder of Future Ancestors Services, an Indigenous and Black-owned, youth-led professional services social enterprise that advances climate justice and systemic barrier removal with lenses of anti-racism and ancestral accountability. Through an inter-generational, disabled, and queer team of professionals and advisors, they provide speaking, training, research and consulting services, and influencer and interview services to +400 diverse clients. They do this while centering decolonized and Indigenized practices, and are constantly re-imagining how we can learn, relate, and work together in healthy ways.

This event addresses the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Continuing education requirements

ISSP credential holders will earn 0.5 CEUs for attending this working session.

Recording

This is an interactive working session and will not be recorded.