The Commons Social Change Library Feed Items

Introduction

A guide with resources, directories and media about power-building and nonviolent action collated by the Democracy Resource Hub.

• Learn grassroots organizing techniques and nonviolent protest strategies to amplify marginalized voices and drive systemic change.
• Explore civil resistance methods, community mobilization tactics, and intersectional organizing approaches to challenge injustice and shape inclusive democratic processes through peaceful activism.

What are power-building and nonviolent action and why are they important for democracy?

Building power through nonviolent action and community organizing is a cornerstone of a thriving democracy. It:

• Amplifies marginalized voices
• Resists democratic backsliding
• Drives systemic change
• Creates pathways for citizens to shape decisions affecting their lives

In today’s complex political landscape, these skills are crucial for mobilizing people, challenging injustice, and creating pressure for sustainable solutions.

Introduction

A guide with resources, directories and media about peacebuilding collated by the Democracy Resource Hub.

• Explore conflict resolution techniques, mediation skills, and bridge-building strategies to transform conflicts into positive change.
• Learn dialogue facilitation, collaborative problem-solving, and inclusive decision-making processes for pluralistic democracy.
• Discover de-escalation strategies and trauma-informed peacebuilding approaches for community reconciliation.

What is peacebuilding and why is it important for democracy?

Peacebuilding transforms conflicts into opportunities for positive change. It strengthens democracy by:

Introduction

A guide with resources, directories and media about Narrative and Storytelling collated by the Democracy Resource Hub.

• Master strategic communication and public narrative techniques for shaping democratic discourse.
• Learn values-based messaging, counter-narrative development, and digital storytelling for advocacy.
• Explore inclusive narrative building and media engagement strategies to mobilize supporters and create a shared vision for democratic renewal.

What is narrative and storytelling? Why is it important for democracy?

Narrative & storytelling is the connective tissue that unites democratic renewal efforts. It:

Introduction

Creating change requires engaging audiences, communicating messages, and inviting people to join in action. The resources here will help you get clearer on what communication channels to use and how, how to develop compelling framing and messages, and the skills required to engage media (traditional and new forms) effectively.

This guide will help you navigate the Communications and Media topic on the Commons Library. You may also like to check out our Story and Narrative topic, Digital Campaigning topic and Countering Disinformation project collection.

Learn to savour words and language because no matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world – Robin Williams

What’s your Goal?

A strategic goal should be clear and measurable.

Choosing your strategic goal is the most important choice we make in designing a campaign.

No one strategic goal can solve everything. In order to put our resources to work solving our problems, we have to decide where to focus.

We must ask ourselves: what goal can we work toward that may not solve the whole problem, but will get us well on the way to solving the problem?

Unless we choose a goal to focus on, we’ll risk wasting our precious resources in ways that just won’t add up.

Remember, strategy is nested; a campaign’s ultimate goal, or the “mountain top” goal, is likely not achievable in one attempt.

Introduction

Emergent Strategy is philosophy developed by adrienne maree brown, drawing on the teachings of Grace Lee Boggs, Octavia Butler, the natural world and complexity science. The book Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds was released by AK Press in 2017, and followed by several other books in the Emergent Strategy Series, as well as trainings through the Emergent Strategy Ideation Institute (which has since sunset).

Emergent Strategy is an ideological amalgam that inspires and supports the development of social justice movement and transformation towards a world of dignity and wholeness. It is a set of principles and elements that continually turn us towards life in the midst of violence and devastation. Emergent Strategy is rooted in Black feminist, abolitionist and anti-capitalist thought with deep love for the earth and all life.