NCIA is organising a free event to discuss the implications of its Inquiry into Local Activism and Dissent, Here We Stand at 170 Community Project, 170 New Cross Road, SE14 on 22 July 2013 7-9 pm (networking and refreshments from 6.30 pm).

Book onto the event here.

You’ll find out about the Inquiry findings. We’ll hope to spark a critical response from activists and other commentators and open debate and discussion about the ways forward.

The NCIA Inquiry was to find out the different forms of activism for social justice which were springing up locally, especially in the current circumstances of austerity and cuts; and the different models of radical support – the ‘back office’ for activism.

NCIA wanted to hear from people how they go about changing the world locally or safeguarding what is important to them. To know how NCIA might encourage more forms of independent action, to be part of it and to make connections for future relationships, alliances and actions. We were joined in the Inquiry by the Community Audit and Evaluation Centre of Manchester Metropolitan University.

The Inquiry was undertaken to answer two essentially political questions:

• Where can resistance and alternatives to injustice be found?
• Where are the homes for such action?

For the purposes of this Inquiry, we were interested in independent voluntary action to safeguard equitable arrangements, to challenge and change public policies or practices, spending decisions or commercial practices that unfairly disadvantage people, perpetuate inequality and discrimination, or fragment and undermine communities.

Our interests therefore lie in political advocacy, direct action and individual advocacy if it aims to change the root causes which create individual problems; and in support which provides for challenge and change.