invite to Vikalp Sangams (Alternatives

[Surya Prakash Loonker]

We are excited to invite you to Vikalp Sangam, a gathering of various organisations

in Tamil Nadu from Feb 14-16, 2015* at Madurai.

 

This gathering is a part of the larger process of Vikalp Sangams (Alternatives

Confluences) to be hosted in various parts of the country over the next few years. The

basic idea of the Vikalp Sangam is to have regional, and at a later stage possibly

national, gatherings to bring together initiatives focused on practical alternatives in

different fields such as nature and natural resources, education, health, crafts, media,

justice, livelihood, market/trade, culture, governance, etc.

 

We hope that these gatherings will be platforms where we can constructively

challenge and learn from each other, exchange ideas and materials, celebrate

cultures of hope and become a strong political force. The first of these Sangams was

held in Andhra Pradesh in October 2014 and saw participation from a wide range of

grassroots organisations. The one to be held in Tamil Nadu will be the second in the

series.

 

For a process such as this to be fruitful and meaningful, it needs to be collectively

shaped and co-created. Because of your similar vision and practices, your

participation in this event will be valuable. We sincerely request and invite you to be a

part of this process, and hope that one or two key members of your organisation will

be able to make it to the Sangam. Due to budget constraints, we will not be able to

cover travel costs, but will be happy to take care of the hospitality at the venue. The

event will be hosted at CESCI near Madurai.

 

We would be glad to send further details, but for the moment we wanted to gauge

your interest in and possibility of participation in this process. A short concept note

about Vikalp Sangam is attached with this email. A more detailed note on the

framework will be circulated among participants later. Any suggestions and comments

on the ideas given in these notes are also most welcome.

 

Looking forward to hearing from you.

 

Thank you!

 

Ashish / Sujatha (Kalpavriksh)

Stan (ACCORD)

Sangeetha (reStore)

 

The fourth day, i.e. Feb 17th 2015, has been set aside for us to discuss how to take

the Tamil Nadu Sangam forward. Staying back for this is optional.

Email: TNVikal...@gmail.com

Phone: Lakshmi 0-99626-92254 / Sujatha 0-88052-46225 / Kalpavriksh 020-

25670979, 25675450

****

On behalf of Vikalp Sangam national core group (as of Nov, 2014 and still evolving):

Kalpavriksh, Deccan Development Society (DDS), Bhoomi College, Shikshantar,

Timbaktu Collective, Development Alternatives (DA), SOPPECOM, Gene Campaign,

BHASHA, Kriti Team, Centre for Equity Studies (CES), URMUL, Maati Sangathan,

National Alliance of Peoples’ Movements (NAPM), Peoples’ Science Institute (PSI),

Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA), Ekta Parishad, South Asian

Dialogue on Ecological Democracy (SADED), Knowledge in Civil Society (KICS),

North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS), and Sushma Iyengar

and Dinesh Abrol.

 

Co-hosts for the TN Sangam: ACCORD, reStore, Ritambhara, Ekta Parishad,

Covenant Centre for Development (CCD)

 

VIKALP SANGAM

Alternatives Confluences across India

Summary

As a result of the current model of 'development' and 'globalisation', India, like

most countries of the world, is suffering ecological destruction, displacement of

communities, massive loss of livelihoods, growing socio-economic inequities, cultural

erosion, etc. Tensions, conflicts, high levels of poverty, malnutrition, unemployment

and other forms of deprivation are becoming more and more common. But in the

midst of this scenario, there are many attempts at designing and practicing

alternatives that are working to create a world that is ecologically sustainable and

socio-economically equitable. There are grassroots level initiatives as well as macropolicy

level ones in sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry, community education

and health, democratic markets and worker-controlled production, cross-cultural

peace and so on: all aimed at removing poverty, deprivation and injustice while being

respectful of nature and natural limits, and preserving local cultures. There is also a

growing interest in participatory democracy, accountability and transparency. While

these initiatives are successful in their own respects, they do not yet form a ‘critical

mass’ that challenges the dominant paradigm for various reasons.

 

It is against this backdrop that regional gatherings of people practicing and/or

articulating these alternatives are proposed. These gatherings, called Vikalp Sangams

or Alternatives Confluences, attempt to cut across thematic areas, bringing ecological,

education, health, justice, media, livelihood, market/trade, cultural, governance and

other alternatives together to learn from each other with the long term aim of

collectively evolving alternative futures.