Activism

Blog-food-fooddrive2

Students Stick a Fork in Hunger

Food is cultural, social, economic, political and environmental – it connects us all. That is the message of Meal Exchange, ayouth-driven registered charity that empowers students across Canada to learn and raise awareness about local hunger. I have been involved in Meal Exchange since I went back to university in […]

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In Defence of Science Panel

THE ALTERNATIVES TEAM travelled from Kitchener, Ontario, to Ottawa on Tuesday, September 25 to join the on-going discussion about the role of science in protecting Canada’s environment – and the well-being of all Canadians. We hosted a panel discussion, “In Defence of Science”, at the University of Ottawa, with the support of […]

Pink Greens

The first thing that I notice as I enter the 519 Community Centre on Church St. – unofficial headquarters of Toronto’s queer community – is the men. Tonight, on a frosty December evening, the recently formed group Ecoqueers is hosting its first major public event, a panel presentation called “Greening […]

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Copy the Cure

THE LATEST FILM by Swiss-Canadian director Léa Pool argues that breast cancer is not just a disease but also a massive and extremely lucrative new industry. Drawing on interviews with social critics (including the brilliant Barbara Ehrenreich), survivors, doctors and funders, Pink Ribbons, Inc. finds searing answers about how much […]

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The Power List

SINCE ROMAN PLEBEIANS rose up against their masters in the fifth century BCE, social movements have been the most important force for advancing progressive change. They work because ordinary people – like you and me – are the ultimate source of power in any society: People in positions of economic, […]

Creative Community Organizing book review A\J AlternativesJournal.ca

The Agitator’s Library

With the worldwide explosion of the Occupy movement, and related Indignado protests in Europe, renewed attention has focused on the possibility of a new high water mark in the push for social change. Each of these four books approaches issues of social change from different perspectives, all drawing from a […]