Weekend Training on Climate Change, Extractivism and Colonialism

Friends of the Earth Ireland in collaboration with climate justice educator Sian Cowman are delighted to offer a weekend training on Climate Change, Extractivism and Colonialism, to take place in the beautiful Gyreum eco-centre in Co. Sligo from November 3rd - 5th, 2023.

In 2021, we published our Facilitators and Learners’ Handbook, designed as a set of resources for climate change educators or facilitators and climate or environmental activist groups. We are looking forward to hosting our second in-person weekend training this year after the success of last year’s training. 

During the weekend training, we'll practice some key activities together and explore the four themes in the handbook:

• Historical Colonisation
• Modern-day Colonialism
• Extractivism and Colonialism
• Solidarity and Justice 

The Historical Colonisation theme is focused on drawing links between climate change and historical colonisation, and learning to recognise how today’s environmental and climate problems have colonial roots. The themes of Modern-day Colonialism and Extractivism and Colonialism focus on understanding how colonial dynamics continue today and play a role in environmental and climate injustice; and include reflection on the lived experiences of those affected by extractive industries and exploration of colonial dynamics of the global supply chains of extracted and exploited common goods. The final theme of Solidarity and Justice draws links between racialisation and capitalism, understanding the implications of these for climate activism; and discussing and critically evaluating case studies of solidarity in action from a decolonial perspective.

 

When: 3rd - 5th of November

Where: Gyreum Eco Centre, Co. Sligo

What: Weekend Training on Climate Change, Extractivism and Colonialism

 

How: Sign up here to express your interest in applying to take part. We will then send you a more comprehensive application form to fill out ASAP  where you will be able to share more details with us so we can aim to bring together as diverse a group as possible for the training and ensure we have all relevant details for us to support your meaningful participation over the weekend (food preferences, learning needs etc.)

 

Note: This course is intended for people who already have some knowledge about climate change and climate justice, and experiences of climate and environmental activism and organising, and who are willing to continue the learning experience by facilitating workshops on these themes within their communities or activist groups. We intend to create a community of practice where participants will receive support from each other to do this work.

 

About the facilitator: Sian Cowman is a climate and environmental justice educator and researcher. She spent years working in Latin America on climate justice communications and accompanying community resistance to fossil fuel and mining projects. Her recent work includes the authorship of a tutor handbook in climate justice education for the City of Dublin Education Training Board, and the development of the pilot programme of a new Junior Cycle Short Course in Climate Action. Her academic qualifications include a BSc in International Development, a Postgraduate Specialisation in Epistemologies of the South from the Latin American Council of Social Sciences, and a MA in Critical and Creative Media. She is currently a PhD researcher at the Department of Media Studies in Maynooth University where her research focuses on critical analysis of media framing of climate migration.

 

Funded through Irish Aid 

Gyreum eco-centre, Corlisheen, Co. Sligo, F52 D290