The Summer Weekender is nearly here!

Our biggest ever residential activism gathering will take place in Biggar, South Lanarkshire from this Friday 14th to Sunday 16th July. We’ve been planning it for months – getting speakers organised, sorting out catering and somewhere to sleep for 90 people, and putting the programme together. We’re looking forward to welcoming new faces, people who’ve supported our fracking and divestment campaigns and, of course, our dedicated local group activists.

We hope we’ve struck the right balance with the programme. We know that these events can be quite intense – meeting new folk, learning new skills, discussing big weighty issues over a whole weekend. That’s why we’ve included the creative space for crafting, plenty of opportunities to get out and explore the surrounding environment, and of course music and films to help people unwind in the evening.

I’m excited about the panel discussion on ‘Brexit, Trump & the rise of the far right: achieving change in the face of new political challenges.’ Hopefully Asma Abdulla (Amina – The Muslim Women’s Resource Centre), Kirsty Haigh (Scotland Against Trump), Alastair McIntosh (author) and Briana Pegado (Edinburgh Student Arts Festival) will work through the current chaos and confusion to find the chinks of light.

I know lots of people are also really looking forward to the workshops on how we fight fracking in Scotland and beyond. Other key campaigns about tackling air pollution, getting public money out of fossil fuels, and driving up Scotland’s climate ambition will be also be chewed over and strategised.

While the work of FoES will feature prominently, we’re delighted to be joined by our allies and colleagues from across different movements. This weekend brings together speakers and organisations from across the UK including 350.org, BiofuelWatch, Get Glasgow Moving, Glasgow Unity Centre, Global Justice Now, Nourish Scotland, Planning Democracy, Preston New Road anti-fracking campaigners, UNISON Scotland and Unite the Union.

We’re also particularly pleased to have the Ethnic Minority Environmental Network and Young Friends of the Earth Scotland with us. They’ll stay a little later than most participants to host their own network meetings on the Sunday afternoon. If you’re keen to get involved with them beyond this weekend, click on their names above.

We’ll be hoping that participants come away from the weekend with new skills, new friends and plenty of opportunities to get involved in campaigns.

Sorry, if you weren’t one of the lucky people to get a ticket but you’ll be able to follow the action on our Facebook and Twitter using #SummerWeekender (wifi permitting). If you’re coming, please read the emails detailing transport plans and your ‘Don’t Forget’ list!

Check out the programme

Juliette Daigre, Activism Organiser