Constructing Democracy
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Highlander's educational programs are unified by the common theme of "Constructing Democracy." We believe that creating a more democratic society with greater opportunity for self-expression and participation in decision-making is central to the overall struggle to achieve social and economic justice for all people.
The theme arises out of five basic beliefs that guide all of our work, both internally and externally. These beliefs are
- Grassroots community people should be leaders in deciding what changes are needed in their own communities. When a community is suffering from poverty, poor people themselves should lead efforts to get at the sources of economic inequality and to demand and win justice.
- In order to win change, poor and disenfranchised people must build strong and accountable community organizations capable of inspiring and involving large numbers of people in confronting unjust power and articulating solutions. To be successful at representing diverse grassroots interests, these organizations must serve as experiments in democracy where people are able to practice and learn democratic principles and processes. Each must serve as an agent for change and as a prophetic voice, able to prepare people for participation and leadership in a more democratic society.
- Winning real and meaningful change also requires the development of broad-based popular movements. Such movements are based on strong local organizations, but they require work across and between communities and organizations as well.
- Serious progress toward economic justice and greater democracy will occur only when traditional divisions of race, culture, gender, nationality, and sexuality are breached and organizing across these differences accelerates. These efforts are necessary if broad-based movement building is to become a reality.
- In the new global era, change will come when local issues are connected to global struggles, and a new analysis and language of struggle is developed that acknowledges the extent to which every social change effort occurs within an international arena of struggle.
. . . to Creating Democractic Space . . .
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