Right2Know Leadership School 2013
The Right2Know is holding our first Leadership School from 2-6 December 2013 at the Magalies Retreat in Magaliesberg, Gauteng. This secluded venue surrounded by nature is an ideal context for reflection and learning campaign leaders’ and activists to deepen their appreciation of the various issues impacting on the right to know in South Africa as well as to enhance our organising capacity.
About the Programme
Full Programme
Film Screenings
Register your Interest
While the majority of participation will be nominated by Right2Know provincial structures we are also inviting other supporters to participate in the School.
The School programme will include:
Substantive Issue Session:
These sessions will focus on critical issues impacting the right to know today. Sessions will include ‘framing’ panel discussions led by R2K and other civil society leaders in the respective areas, workshop type activities, and plenary discussion.
1. State of Democracy: An overview of the principles, opportunities and threats regarding participatory democracy today – including unpacking proposals for greater civil society unity.
2. State Secrecy: The Protection of State Information Bill, General Intelligence Amendment Bill, National Key Points Act and the general state of secrecy, with particular focus on state security and intelligence activities and links to political battles and corrupt business activity in conjunction with the corporate sector;
3. Information Access & Whistle-blowers: Applications and limits of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, moving beyond PAIA to open data, and the strengths and limits of the current enabling environment for whistle-blowers;
4. Media Freedom & Diversity, and Telecommunications: Principle of freedom of speech, opportunities and limits of media diversity in South Africa today, efforts to transform the print media industry .Opportunities and risks in the internet age, the high cost of access to communication in South Africa;
Practical Skills Stream:
A number of practical skill sessions will be run in parallel for groups of 20 for three days. Each participant will attend three sessions in the course of the programme. Possible topics include:
1. Engaging the media: Develop a media liaison strategy, writing a press statement, giving an interview.
2. Campaign planning : Understanding influence, developing campaign strategy & plan.
3. Freedom of Association: Understanding the Gatherings Act and the right to protest.
4. Basic Organising: Recruitment, organising a meeting, managing finances, internal democracy.
Solidarity circles:
Participants will be required to prepare a report on their organisation’s efforts to access information and/or engage the media; every afternoon, in groups of 4 or 5, participants will volunteer to present their ‘case study’ for feedback and reflection from nine of their peers.
The Programme:
Film Screenings:
Monday 2 December, 19h30
Crumbs (52min, 2013)In 2007 the four largest bread manufacturers in South Africa formed one of the worst cartels in our country’s history. Bread prices spiked, leaving less food on the table for the poor. Slapped with a multi-billion rand fine, the cartel was broken up, all because of the actions of one whistleblower. This is the David versus Goliath story of whistle blower Imraahn Mukaddam, released in November 2013, exploring the turmoil Imraahn faces taking on the corporate food machine in the quest for social justice. |
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Tuesday 3 December, 19h30
Forbidden Voices (95min, 2012)Their voices are suppressed, prohibited and censored. But Yoani Sánchez, Zeng Jinyan and Farnaz Seifi are not frightened of their dictatorial regimes. These fearless women stand for a new, networked generation of modern resistance fighters. In Cuba, China and Iran their blogs shake the foundations of the state information monopoly – putting their lives at risk thereby. |
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Wednesday 4 December, 19h30
Stealing Africa (58 min, 2012)In the world of multinational deals and profit maximizing, the illegal practices of companies like Glencore, one of the world’s largest natural resources companies in the world, are not the exception. From corruption, tax fraud, poor environmental practices and labour relations, Stealing Africa reveals just how far companies will go to exploit all that Africa has to offer. |
Films provided courtesy of AFDA (Crumbs) and the Tri Continental Film Festival.
