Harnessing the Power of Social Movements to overcome Boundaries
Written By Gershom Kabaso . Posted in Drums of Change, Transcending Boundaries: Migrants, Refugees and the Movement of People
Social movements have the power to break social, political and economic barriers. These movements have the power to advocate for policies and strategies that allow people in and around Africa to move in and out of their countries freely. However, the strategies adopted by social movement groups to influence policies need to be thoroughly thought through.
Social movement is a catalyst in the quest to change unconducive environments into a desirable ideal. In this context, movement could be defined as an open free space for reflective thinking, democratic debate of ideas, exchange of experiences and interlinking for effective actions at all levels by groups of people and organizations who want to change the world view. Social movements are also like threads that bond together efforts across the nations, tapping into people’s aspirations and imaginations for a better world. Boundaries, on the other hand, may be described in simple terms as the dividing line or location between two areas that have a different common culture, values, morals, languages and ethnicity groups. Social movements cut across all these differences in nature, lending them the power to build a culture of solidarity among people, and echoing the need for human dignity at all levels.
Given these premises as alluded above, and from experiences, movements could be considered among many other avenues as a powerful resource to overcome boundaries across nations in the sense that social movements are loose in nature and people are free to participate at any given time. Collectively this depends on collaborative efforts, through solidarity support, to facilitate change. This contribution upholds the view that social movements are not subject to the boundaries that often divide us, and this type of activism can go beyond borders, across infrastructures of other collaborative players at local, regional and global levels. Mobilizing critical masses of people is not difficult as long as people have bought into the idea of the social changes that would be taking place. Moreover, movements have no form of legal identity as compared to other forms of registered organizations or coalitions. As Gihan Perrera from the Miami Workers’ Centre points out, “The difference between a movement and a coalition is that when an issue changes, a movement doesn’t have an identity crisis – its ‘frame’ holds a story and has an explicative value even as times change.”
From observations and experiences, I believe no single movement is successful without the efforts of others. It is critical that social movements focus on particular issues at a broad level, always finding potential allies in other movements. Indeed, movements that are too exclusive or too focused on building their own group may fail to build their movement, by failing to utilize the potential of a borderless campaign.
For example; Tunisians in North Africa were able to change their former dictatorial rule of government to a democratic one because the people used social activism in a way that enabled their efforts to garner massive solidarity support from across the whole world to change the political environment. They used every possible channel at their disposal, including social media, women and youth campaigns, and seeking solidarity support through other platforms such as World Social Forums. The Arab spring (revolution) was an example of how social movements can break ground; political barriers that had people believing it was only one political system that could work in most Arab countries, were overthrown. Some of these countries include Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt. The social movements within those countries, however, managed to change perceptions of what was possible, and pushed for democratic governance. (It is important to note, however, that calling and advocating for good governance and democracy could have taken place without involving violent mechanisms).
Another example may be cited from the African history of nationalism, that was both a belief system and a movement towards decolonization in Africa, influencing a number of institutions that granted many Africans independence. African nationalism was the process at national level that aimed to mobilise people to unite as a nation, without looking down upon others for their culture, tribe, language and region, so that they could free themselves from colonial rule. Similarly, strengthening and building a culture of borderless-ness in Africa through already existing systems such as the AU, the philosophies of Pan- Africanism and the African Renaissance can indeed serve to realize the borderless Africa we want. In addition, regional initiatives such as the Proudly African campaign and African Solidarity Caravan are proving successful in connecting, transforming and consolidating common solidarity ethos in the region and diaspora.
Essentially, it is important to consider investing more in social movements that are concerned with common causes in order to transcend issues around boundaries. Because social movements have no limits whatsoever the case may be, in the same way, regional integration of programmes and activities that promote solidarity as a means to overcome disputes derived from social or geographic borders, can be a vehicle to drive the change we want.
Hi dear Martina,I hope you are fine.Thank you for your email.I ask you if it is possible to interfere in Baghdah Forum about Transitional Justice as I'm expert in Transitional Justice and Iinterfiere in many countries about this theme as in South Africa, Marroco,Libya.Also I want to inform you that it is quite impossible for me to afford my own accomodation and ticket because my association doesn't have funds.I ask you if there is another possibility to help me for travelling Baghdad.kind regardsben fredj NozhaInternational Obsevatory of Human Rights0021623569622
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2015 12:16:00 +0200
From: martina.pignatti@unponteper.it
To: iraq-social-forum-english@lists.openfsm.net
Subject: [Iraq Social Forum] Announcing Iraqi Social Forum on Civil Peace and Coexistence in Baghdad, October 2015
Dear all,
I forward you the ICSSI newsletter with the announcement of the Iraqi Social Forum 2015, please spread the news!
This year unfortunately ICSSI cannot cover travel or accommodation costs of internationals so I ask all of you to look for funding through your organizations, if you wish to travel to Baghdad. And register online as soon as possible, since you will need to apply for the visa at the Iraqi Ambassy in your country... not easy visa at the airport this time, we do not have an endorsement of an Iraqi institution.
But I'm sure we can put together an important international delegation, come on, registrations are open!!!
Warmly
Martina
www.unponteper.it
www.iraqicivilsociety.org
ICCSI Newsletter n. 04 year 2015
Announcing the Iraqi Social Forum 2015. Join us in Baghdad!
A thematic Iraqi Social Forum on Coexistence and Civil Peace has been launched by Iraqi civil society organizations, and will take place in Baghdad from the 1st to the 3rd of October 2015. During the Forum we will host a Mini-Marathon for Peace to celebrate the International Day of Nonviolence on the 2nd of October. Read the call and register online! >>
Victory of anti-corruption protests in Iraq. Statement by the Iraqi Social Forum
The Iraqi Council of Representatives unanimously voted this week on a paper of reforms to combat corruption and government waste, that was approved by the Council of Ministers in an extraordinary session held last Sunday. This is a result of the public pressure produced in the past two weeks by massive social protests that took place in many Iraqi provinces. >>
Videos on demonstrations in Baghdad
Watch these exceptional videos on the demonstrations in Tahrir Sqare, Baghdad. People are singing, police smile at activists and distribute water to them, women feel confident enough to be in the crowd. Another Iraqi is possible, indeed! >>
After ISIS: Perspectives of Displaced Communities from Ninewa on Return to Iraq's Disputed Territory
Recently, military developments and international involvement have resulted in ISIS retreating from some areas previously under its control in Iraq. IDP communities struggle to return while the potential for renewed conflict remains alarmingly high. A report comissioned by PAX in order to prepare for conflict sensitive peace building programs. >>
Alternatives to War: Eight Things the US Should do Regarding Daesh
When it comes to dealing with US policy towards ISIS, there are two critical understandings. One requires rejecting George W. Bush's post-9/11 claim that the only choice was "we either go to war, or we let 'em get away with it." That was not the only choice for dealing with al Qaeda then, it is not the only choice for dealing with ISIS now. War or nothing is never the only choice. >>
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