We had a second attempt today at a get together at Can Masdeu for people involved in anti-capitalist projects of all kinds, to meet and strategise. We thought we'd likely want to try and set some common values and principles and overarching goals to give us common ground and provide guidance for the future. This has, of course, been done by countless organisations and federations, who've taken a great deal of time (usually many years) over refining them.
So why come up with new ones? Here are a bunch of my favourites to choose from - mix and match or try to achieve all of them :-)
designing new ways for a community or society to work is a pretty similar process to designing new ways for a landscape or building to work. The Permaculture Design Principles include mechanisms for review, response to change, holistic thinking, mapping flows of resources, energy and power. I love the lyrical language and that using these principles lets your thinking and analysis constantly evolve.
the four freedoms: no reason to restrict these freedoms to software, they can apply to any new physical, digital or social innovation.
my personal favourite for knowing where you stand and whose side you’re on.
Kwanzaa
we’re nearing the end of the 7-day Kwanzaa holiday, created by and for African-Americans celebrating culture, family, community and identity. Values (listed at the bottom) which promote a collective attitude. Happy Kwanzaa :-)
And no list of principles that I love would be complete without:
Kwanzaa Principles
- Umoja (Unity) - Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, "I am We," or "I am because We are."
- Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) - Self-Determination requires that we define our common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of our family and community.
- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) - Collective Work and Responsibility reminds us of our obligation to the past, present and future, and that we have a role to play in the community, society, and world.
- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) - Cooperative economics emphasizes our collective economic strength and encourages us to meet common needs through mutual support.
- Nia (Purpose) - Purpose encourages us to look within ourselves and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.
- Kuumba (Creativity) - Creativity makes use of our creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community.
- Imani (Faith) - Faith focuses on honouring the best of our traditions, draws upon the best in ourselves, and helps us strive for a higher level of life for humankind, by affirming our self-worth and confidence in our ability to succeed and triumph in righteous struggle.