Just Economies and Societies on an Unjust Planet

The Peace Community isn't the only positive alternative to violence, greed and exploitation that I have had the opportunity to work with. Before coming to Colombia I worked with Other Worlds, an organizing collaborative that compiles and brings to light economic, cultural, and social alternatives that are flourishing throughout the world, and inspires and helps the public open up new pathways to adapt and replicate them.

Other Worlds recently published two reports and an article highlighting some of these exciting alternatives, several of which I helped research, write, and edit. Please read, distribute, and enjoy!

Who Says You Can’t Change the World? Just Economies and Societies on an Unjust Planet

“Who Says You Can’t Change the World” is a groundbreaking report from Other Worlds that introduces nine grassroots alternatives to the current economic and environmental (dis)order, and gives examples of real communities and movements who are living those alternatives every day. The report touches on alternative education, water struggles, the right to health care, environmental justice, and solidarity economies, among other topics, and highlights organizing taking place on five continents and in countless communities. Also included are lists of resources for more information and contact info for organizations working on similar issues in the US. I helped write the sections on solidarity economies and worker cooperatives!

Mali's Gift Economy

Next is this article I helped research and edit about the gift economy in Mali. One of my favorite quotes from one of the Malian women: “Life is a cord. We make the cord between ourselves, and you have to hold on to it. One should not drop the cord.”

Changing the Flow: Water Struggles in Latin America

This 56 page booklet was produced by Food and Water Watch, Red Vida, Transnational Institute,The RPR Network and Other Worlds. It contains a dozen interviews of cutting-edge water warriors from the region, and documentation and analysis of the many exciting ways in which citizens' movements are safeguarding their waters - both so that all may have access, and so that this precious resource is protected. The report also offers insight into the role of gender, in its relationship both to public control of water and to water movements.