(I’ll be attending this though leaving before the Focussed Discusions to attend the Action on X protest)
Final Agenda for the First Left Forum
The Left Forum will be divided into three main parts. The first section, the deliberative section, will see the agenda discussed in small groups of approximately six to ten attendees which will be chaired by a convenor. At the lunch break the conveners will meet to discuss if there seems to be a consensus from the discussions that can be formed into a document.
The second part of the process will take place after lunch which will be a plenary session involving all present. If possible the document will be presented, amended by attendees and voted on. If not possible a vote will be taken on whether to continue the process.
The third part of the forum will see a number of focused discussion groups around specific areas for example economics, trade unions and left media. This will be an opportunity to build networks of activists and those interested in the topics and develop ways that attendees may work together in the future. If agreed the convenors of the focused sessions will carry the work forward. Attendees are free to propose topics for focus discussions either in advance or at the forum.
Proposed Timetable
11.00am- 11.15am - Registration and seating.
11.15am – 11.30am – Brief Introduction and explanation of the process.
Deliberative Section
11.30am – 1.00pm - Deliberation on questions below using tables of 10 randomly assigned participants. Chaired by convenor with more detailed agenda.
Deliberative Agenda
1 Who is the Left?
2 What can the Left realistically hope to achieve in the short, medium and long term?
3 How and where do we achieve these aims?
4 What sort of left organisations can help us achieve our goals
1.00pm-2.00pm - Lunch. Conveners meet, discuss outcome of deliberation discussions prepare document for plenary session
Plenary Section
2.00pm – 3.00 pm – Plenary session – document shown numbered on projected screen. Attendees have opportunity to discuss document in single town hall style meeting, offer amendments etc. If agreed vote on the document, if not vote to continue process.
3.00pm- 3.15pm - Coffee break and organise tables of pre-arranged focused discussions i.e trade unions, education, media, – also allow space for anyone to set up table for any other issue they wish to discuss.
Focused Discussions
4.15pm-5.30pm – Focused Discussions –The focus of these discussions are to get people together, and may be of a more practical nature. And hope to establish networks for future work together. Each discussion group if decided will elect a convenor to carry on the process after the event.
Focus Discussions will take place on the following areas:
Left/Alternative/Community Media; Youth Issues; Housing; Economics and Policy; Education
(more may follow at a later date)
5.30pm Closing remarks, based on outcomes of deliberation and focused discussions (If a document has been agreed from deliberation and plenary). There can be brief report back from focused discussions conveners.
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