Notes from Commons-wsf call from today, to which I couldn't attend, is below:

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Kevin Flanagan <kev.flanagan@...>
> Date: 14 Sep 2015 22:18:44 GMT+2
> To: wsf2016@...
> Subject: Notes from todays meeting
> Reply-To: Kevin Flanagan <kev.flanagan@...>
> 
> Hello Everyone,
> 
> Just a few notes to summarise our meeting today.
> 
> Elisabetta, Alain, Yves, Stephanie, Kevin were in attendance.
> 
> So we are really looking at what we can do together, what kind of events will be of benefit for all who wish to gather before, during, and after the forum.
> 
> Today we focused mainly on what happens during the forum itself.
> 
> We acknowledge the need to get away from the classroom format - Normally there are quite a few formal presentations at the forum but it is really important that we also create spaces for informal encounters and participatory processes like those used at the Art of Commoning to really engage and benefit from the experience of all attending.
> 
> Alain suggested the Science and Democracy gatherings from previous social forums provide some ideas of how others have organised gatherings within the forum itself.
> 
> Elisabetta said that we should aim to create a shared space and point of contact for all who wish to organise commons events for the social forum.
> 
> Yves suggests we think big and that The Space for Life might be a potential venue http://espacepourlavie.ca/en
> 
> We need to think about how to enable encounters between movements?
> Could we for example host dialogues on Commons/Climate, Commons/Social Justice, Commons/Solidarity Economy?? What would these look like and who should be there?
> 
> Also can we program some workshops for those new to the commons, something like a school of commoning?
> 
> Again it is important that the event is inclusive. We need to start thinking about how we can bring groups from the global south but also local groups such as First Nations into these discussions.
> 
> Can we provide for the different language needs?
> 
> Alain mentioned the need to highlight the important work being done on the Urban Commons with examples from Bologna and Barcelona, Living Labs http://www.livinglabmontreal.org/
> 
> In terms of engaging with folks involved with the social economy there are some other events in Montreal close to the time of the forum to be aware of http://www.gsef2016.org/ 
> 
> Let's not forget the importance of celebrating the commons and creating a festive atmosphere including music and art in the program :)
> 
> Would it be useful to host small regional gatherings in preparation for the forum 3 or 6 months in advance? 
> 
> **Next Steps**
> 
> Yves and Alain will work with Samantha and get in contact with Vanessa Reid and others in the region to explore the local possibilities in Montreal.
> 
> We feel that following this call and the previous call with Vanessa, Robin and Cameron that we are now getting a clearer sense of what we would like to see happen in and around the forum and we will over the next few weeks put this together into a shared document.
> 
> Kevin and Elisabetta will work on the shared document.
> 
> We will also need this to submit for funding opportunities as they arise one that is upcoming is -
> 
> http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/programs-programmes/connection_grants-subventions_connexion-eng.aspx
> 
> Stephanie Rearick suggested that Erik Olin Wright might be a potential academic partner. 
> 
> Do we know any other potential academic partners or funders?
> 
> Next meeting will be 3 weeks from now in early October. At this stage we want to move beyond introductory discussions and into tasks so if anyone wants a catch up call just get in touch with me and I will bring you up to date in advance.
> 
> Best Wishes
> 
> Kevin
> 
> -- 
> https://twitter.com/flgnk
> Skype: kev.flanagan
> Phone: +353 87 743 5660

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