Campaign Strategies for Activist Issues

Time : 3:45 p.m., Sunday, May 28
Venue : 4-153, MIT

About the session

This session will essentially look at three different aspects of combining AID and activism.

1. Which kinds of issues does AID want/need to get involved in?

   Lets face it, we all volunteer for AID. Our work with AID is usually competing with other personal commitments. So, the question we will be addressing in this session is do we need/want to concentrate on issues beyond fundraising for projects, reviewing projects, interacting with out current projects, seeking new projects?

   My personal feeling is: Yes, as an organization interested in India's development, we need to look at macro issues and micro issues. Along with projects we also need to look at systemic issues that need repair. I look at it as an issue of social justice for all. But, where, when, how much, for what issues do we participate in: the Orrisa Cyclone, the Kargil War, Narmada Dam, Enron, Ogden, Kinara Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, Bhopal Gas Tragedy, nuclear testing. . .the list can go on.

2. What if there is disagreement on the relevance of the issue vis-à-vis development?

   This is an important and fairly contentious issues. Passions run high on what people feel, we as an organization should indorse. The way I look at this is usually to try and see how we as AID reacted to Kargil, Narmada SSP dam and the Orissa Cyclone all of which occurred around the same time.

3. Do we get involved at a Chapter wide-levels or simply at individual levels?

Finally, is there a need to have a protocol on how to work on such issues? What about signing petitions? Fundraising, how much, how little?

Questions? Suggestions? Please send them to the moderator Mora Oommen.