Sheffield climate charity finds common ground with Extinction Rebellion on shift away from confrontational approach

• Extinction Rebellion (XR) made national headlines with their shift from highly disruptive tactics focused on arrests, towards a new focus on common ground and relationship-building
• Local climate and democratic engagement charity Hope for the Future is supporting this shift by co-hosting an event with XR and other groups, exploring different approaches to social change
• Racial justice campaigners will provide a strong focus on inclusive forms of outreach and engagement at the event

Extinction Rebellion have turned to climate communications specialists and Sheffield charity, Hope for the Future, for help with their new shift away from disruptive tactics. Hope for the Future have already delivered a training on finding common ground with MPs and Councillors. Their approach is rooted in nonviolent communication and building constructive relations. Now they are helping to host an event, alongside Festival of Debate, which will bring together academics and campaigners to talk about how influencing politicians can help strengthen the climate movement. It will be taking place on Thursday, 13th April, between 6 and 7pm, online. Further details are available on the Festival of Debate website.

The event is chaired by Dr Alex Hensby of the Centre for the Study of Social and Political Movements. The panel will include the co-founder of XR Clare Farrell, Chantelle Lunt from Merseyside Black Lives Matter and Merseyside Alliance for Race Equality, Lee Jasper from Blaksox, the 1990 Trust, and Operation Black Vote, and Sarah Jordan, the Director of Hope for the Future. It comes ahead of XR’s next major national event, ‘The Big One’ which will bring together more than 70 organisations calling for action between 21st and 24th April.

Arran Rangi, South of England and Wales Regional Coordinator, said ‘It’s great to see how Extinction Rebellion is embracing new tactics that should hopefully open up new audiences and make them more inclusive to the wider population. We are excited to see them taking part in this event with us.’

Clare Farrell, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, said ‘We need now, more than ever, to create spaces for mature and respectful debate. Festivals of debate and ideas can hopefully help us to see how well equipped we are to do decision making differently. As far as hope for our future goes, I think we live in times where hope must be earned. through hard work, led by love.’

ENDS

Notes:

Hope for the Future is a climate charity which works to equip communities, groups and individuals across the country with the skills to communicate the urgency of climate change with their local politicians. Each year, we train over 1,000 people and work with over 100 MPs and councils across the UK, alongside running community events and school workshops. Our aim is to ensure everyone’s voice is heard as the UK takes action on climate change.

Contact:

Jamie Sims, Hope for the Future Press and Media Officer, jamie.sims@hftf.org.uk