Two-day Workshop: Empowering Social Innovation for Transformative Change

How do we deal with power in our social innovation work? Who has power and how do we empower ourselves and each other to (re)claim power? What are the power dynamics and unintended consequences in the fields we are working in? In the context of the European Network project Social Innovation Community, DRIFT organizes a two-day workshop for critical thinkers and doers to explore the power dimensions of social innovation work.

Social innovation and transformative change are inherently political. Political in the sense of (reclaiming) power. Such politics manifests as people produce their own energy, envision alternative futures, reshape places, participate in decision-making and frame their own rules. For social innovation to be transformative, it has to engage in politics in the sense of challenging existing institutions and norms, (re)negotiating new rules and decision-making arrangements and shifting existing power relations.

This workshop will gather critical thinkers and doers who are working on social innovation in practice and/or in theory and who are excited to engage in critical discussions, to gather and share experiences on power and empowerment dynamics in social innovation. We will discuss such questions such as:

• How do we deal with power in our social innovation work?
• Who has power and how do we empower ourselves and each other to (re)claim power?
• What are the power dynamics and unintended consequences in our social innovation field(s)?

The two-day workshop will take place in Amsterdam on May 17th-18th, 2018. The first day will focus on exchanging and discussing insights and experiences. On the second day we’ll author critical intellectual essays on power and (dis)empowerment in social innovation and transformative social change, with a focus on unpacking the politics of social innovation and its unintended consequences.

Participation
Are you interesting in participating in this inspiring workshop? Please contact Sarah Rach for more information and application. Please note that seats are limited – it is recommended to apply as soon as possible!