Practical Activism 2012

November 16, 2012

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The 10th Annual Practical Activism Conference was a resounding success, opening minds to new ways of taking action and making a real difference in the name of social justice. The student led conference which featured renowned keynote speaker Angela Davis, ten workshops, various on and off campus organizations, performances and a variety of hands-on activism activities was hosted on October 20th, 2012 at College Nine and College Ten on the U.C. Santa Cruz campus.

Planned by 30 students from College Nine, College Ten and Oakes College and led by Wendy Baxter, Director of Academic and Co-curricular Programs for College Nine and College Ten, the day-long event attracted hundreds of enthusiastic attendees, including students, Bay Area residents and local activists with a passion for community involvement and a commitment to social change. Covering a diverse and compelling range of topics from ‘Sustainable Agriculture: Think Global, Act Local’ to ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Exploring LGBT Legislation’ to ‘Citizen Journalism for Social Justice,’ conference attendees were able to immerse themselves in workshop sessions which brought light to the complex world of social justice and community organizing. Later in the day, local groups from the Santa Cruz area shared their knowledge at a resource fair which included booths designed by the student coordinators providing interactive, hands-on opportunities to explore issues of Race & Education, Bullying, Water Crisis issues, and the history of Practical Activism, as well as tables that represented a Fair Trade store, the Beehive Design Collective, the UCSC Farm Cart, and many other community resources available to students and community members. 

The dynamic planning process that allows the Practical Activism Conference to run in such a smooth and efficient manner actually begins 8 months prior to the event. While the day-of event is filled with memorable moments, the planning, which begins in early Spring, provides students with an opportunity to develop critical lifelong skills as they create the content and structure of the conference. These months of planning are a long, intensive process which culminates with an incredible event but also leaves a lasting impression on these young leaders who must work together, developing their communication skills and finding ways to create a space where people from all walks of life can come together and speak freely about the importance of community activism and social justice.

Providing not just knowledge but the tools to implement real change in today’s society, the Practical Activism Conference has been a proud UCSC tradition since 2002. Whether focused on human rights issues, overcoming stereotypes, or topics close to home like UCSC budget cuts and student retention, all Practical Activism attendees are united in their common goal of shaping a world in which they are proud and excited to live. Perhaps UC Santa Cruz distinguished professor emerita Angela Davis best summed up the need for events like PAC when she stated ‘In the ongoing struggle for democracy, activism is [not only] a way of life, but life-sustaining.”

Interested in learning even more about this year’s Practical Activism Conference? Check out the following sites –

http://activism.ucsc.edu/

 http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/santacruz/ci_21820170/activism-conference-at-ucsc-draws-hundreds-young-activists 

http://www.cityonahillpress.com/2012/10/25/activism-conference-calls-for-change/

 And it’s never too early to start getting involved for next year! If you’re an interested College Nine, College Ten or Oakes student, send an email topracticalactivism@gmail.com and join next year’s Practical Activism planning committee, which will be getting started near the end of Winter Quarter 2013!