Workshops at the APGF 3rd Congress

WORKSHOPS: THE ASIA-PACIFIC GREEN PARTY CONTEXT

The Global Greens

http://www.globalgreens.org

Facilitator:  Margaret Blakers, Global Greens Convenor

Strengthening grassroots democracy

Description: Democracy is the first political action listed in the Global Greens Charter establishing that the Greens:1.1 Have as a priority the encouragement and support of grassroots movements and other organisations of civil society working for democratic, transparent and accountable government, at all levels from local to global.This workshop will explore how we shall realise this priority.

Intended Outcomes:  Identify priority issues and actions for strengthening grassroots democracy regionally and perhaps globally. 

Discussion questions:  What is the current state of grassroots democracy in your country?  What are Green Party strategies for strengthening the political voice and impact of grassroots democracy?

Facilitator: Eugenie Sage, New Zealand Green MP

How to build a Green party from the start

Description: Janet Rice will share her reflections on the critical stages of growth for the Australian Greens over the last two decades.  Janet will then facilitate a discussion examining case studies and opportunities for the further growth of the Greens in various countries within the Asia-Pacific region.

Intended Outcomes: It is hoped that through the sharing of ideas, experiences and knowledge, that individuals are inspired and energised to develop and implement strategies and mechanisms for the continued growth of the Greens.

Facilitation Process: Presentation by Janet Rice, then small break-out group discussions focusing on specific Asia-Pacific countries as case studies for Greens growth.

Participant Preparation:  It would be appreciated if participants could bring a summary of the current standing of their party (i.e. political representation, membership etc.*) to use as a basis for discussion.

Key factors to consider: 

Facilitator: Janet Rice, Australian Greens Senator

Constitution discussion time

Facilitator: Keli Yen, APGF Convenor

WORKSHOPS: BUILDING GREEN PARTIES

Asia Pacific Greens political platform and strategic plan

Facilitator: Dr. Stewart Jackson

Party building strategies and practices

Facilitator: Julie Anne Genter MP, New Zealand Green MPs

Nuclear: nuclear weapons, nuclear energy technology & uranium mining

Description: Panel discussion on each topic followed by open discussion.
1. Nuclear Weapon, leaded by Australian Greens, 20 minutes;
2. Nuclear Energy Technology, Greens Japan, 20 minutes;
3. Uranium Mining, Mongolian Green party, 20 minutes;

Intended Outcomes: Declaration to people of Asia and Pacific

Facilitation Process: Opening by the facilitators and give small speech for 5 minutes, than moderate the 3 issues, and last 10 minutes for outcome of workshop, formulate the declaration for approving from participants of workshop.

Facilitators: Boum Yalagch Olzod (Mongolian Green Party Chairperson), Rikiya Adachi (Greens Japan, Australian Greens

Global Greens Charter refresher

APGF members will get to know the Greens Charter better and discuss the meaning and application of each core part.

Facilitators: David Clendon, New Zealand Greens MP

Lunch

WORKSHOPS: GREEN CAMPAIGNS

Communicating about the Climate and the Roadmap to Paris

Description: 

This workshop will outline the roadmap to Paris and the key roles that the Greens can play at COP21 in November and before. It will cover:

• Setting the scene: introductions from different countries (including how climate change is impacting them, involvement in climate campaigning domestically and internationally), their involvement / experience so far from COPs, any key questions or issues they would like to discuss regarding COP21.
• Overview: Quick history of COPs and the current international climate space. What we can hope and expect to come out of the Paris conference.
• Roadmap to Paris: what happens over the next 6 months to ensure we get the best possible outcomes in Paris? This section will include brainstorming about possible tactics.

Intended Outcomes: To establish a common understanding of:

 Facilitation Process:  Christine and Russel will co-facilitate. The brainstorming section on tactics will be conducted in break-out groups depending on the number of participants.

 Participant Preparation:  Participants should come prepared to share their experiences of COPs in the past (if they have taken part in a COP before), initiatives and planning that has already commenced for Paris COP21 this year and any specific areas they want to learn about with regards to COP processes or particular issues surrounding COP21. As this session also intends to set up a network amongst participating countries, participants should come knowing who is the most appropriate contact person to take part in an international network.

Facilitators: Christine Milne, Australian Greens MP & Russel Norman, New Zealand Green MP

Fundraising - the building blocks

Description: There is no magic key to fundraising. instead we will focus on practical solutions to issues and challenges when fundraising.

1. One major issue is actually asking for money and all that entails; so let's break down the barriers.  

2. a very successful model for getting support is pledge sessions. Learn how to run them and maximise your income.

3. workshop one or two real fundraising issues facing some of our Green parties in the Asia Pacific region.

Let's share our expertise and local experience to provide a viable solution to these challenges. 

Intended Outcomes: To take away three tangible ideas to put into action

Facilitation Process: individual and group exercises, slides and facilitated discussion

Participant preparation: send through any specific fundraising questions/challenges ahead of time so that the workshop can be on real challenges you are facing. Be ready to talk about your specific experiences to share knowledge and information.

Facilitator: Sonja Deely, Funding Development Manager at Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand

The Power of Local Government

Description: This workshop will provide a platform for participants to share their local government campaigning, election and representation experiences, as well as the success stories that have resulted from Greens representation in local governments.  Participants are encouraged to bring their stories of local government campaigning, election and representation. 

Intended Outcomes: It is hoped that through the sharing of knowledge and information on the challenges and successes of local government representation, that individuals are encouraged and inspired to stand for local government and to make the most of their representation once elected.

Facilitation Process: Janet will facilitate a discussion on the power and importance of local government. Depending on the number of participants, there may be cause for break-out groups as part of the workshop process.

Participant Preparation:  It would be great if, prior to the workshop, participants could collect the stories of local government candidates and representatives, who are unable to be in attendance, on the challenges and successes of local government representation and campaigning.

Facilitator: Janet Rice, Australian Greens Senator for Victoria, (Former Councillor and Mayor, City of Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Australia)

Pacific Network

Discussion on how to continue developmenting Green parties in the Pacific region.  What structures and actions are needed over the next few years?

Facilitator: Denise Roche, New Zealand Greens MP 

WORKSHOPS: IMPLEMENTING GREEN POLICIES

Gender Equality

Description: Respect for Diversity is a core Green value.  The Global Greens Charter recognises that to "promote the building of respectful, positive and responsible relationships across lines of division in the spirit of a multi-cultural society... requires equality between women and men in all spheres of social, economic, political and cultural life."  This is one of the reasons why Green Parties prioritise gender equality throughout our organisation.

Process:

1. Check-in: "Why I'm in the Greens"
2. Presentation: Why gender balance is important: GPANZ principles and practices
3. Reflection 

Facilitators: Mojo Mathers MP & Jan Logie MP, New Zealand Green MPs

Green Growth

Description: A reflection on the historical growth of the party in Australia, the key moments in that journey and the challenge of continuing that growth into the future.

Intended Outcomes: An understanding of how to make the most of political opportunities, how to overcome the barriers to growth and to connect with new audiences in a meaningful way.  

Facilitation Process: Richard will present on the Australian experience and then facilitate a workshop on the experience of other Greens parties. Depending on numbers, breakout groups may be required.

Participant preparation: Ideally participants will contemplate how they have succeeded in growing the party in their country and the barriers that have prevented growth.  

Facilitator: Richard di Natale, Australian Green Senator

Engaging non-citizens in the Greens political movement

Intended outcomes: To build knowledge of the global environmental citizenship, recognize the differences in political citizenship, sense of belonging and civic activism. 

Facilitation process:

1. Deconstruct the notion of a “migrant” – workshop of about 15 minutes to define in groups who consider themselves a migrant a why?

2. Explore the notion of “who is a citizen” and why?

3. Identify problems in engaging non-citizens in formal decision-making

4. Presentation of the three key elements of environmental activism: connectedness, territory and space

4. Case study from Western Australia in involving non-citizens 

5. What can you do?

Facilitator:  Dr Silvia Lozeva

Lunch

Workshops

Australian Political Parties for Democracy Program - Accessing funding grants

Description: Overview of who AG-IDC (The Australian Greens International Development Committee) are, what they do and how they manage grant funds.

Intended Outcome: To provide APGF members and potential members with an understanding of the funding opportunities available to them and how to access that funding.

Process:

1. Overview presentation - introducing who we are, what we do, how we work. 

2. Discussion on what parties are trying to do in the region. 

3. Interactive planning simulation and sharing of a successful case study.

Facilitators: Lucy Quartermann & Dr. Elise Klein, AG-IDC Members 

Forest Glade B

Green institutes: a parallel or inherent program of the APGF?

Description: The significance of forming a parallel Greens Institute or constituting a Training and Organizing Committee as a mechanism for implementing a multi-disciplinary capacity building program for party builders will be the focal of discussion.

The workshop design is an inter-active process that will analyze the interventions needed by the APGF in addressing the issues of strengthening the emerging parties and building the parties in the region. This will enable the creation of a strategic program within or parallel to the present structure of the APGF. The process is intended to identify the common situations and the unique conditions for each party.

Process:

Module I: Contextualization - Discussion Group (30 mins)

• a) the Local Situation: How we organize our own party?
• a.1) the present political & social conditions as the basis?
• a.2) the process that we undertake?
• a.3) what are we expecting from the APGF in addressing the issues of party building and strengthening?
• a.4) what mechanism will meet our Training and Organizing needs? (example: Parallel Green Institute or an Internal program within the APGF?)

Module II: Effective Mechanism (30 mins)

• b) who should be in the proposed “group"
• c) what shall be the frequency of “online meetings” and physical meetings?
• d) what are the funding requirements?
• e) Test case project?
• f) the Training design?

Module III: Synthesis and Consolidation (30 mins)

Intended Outcome: To develop a mechanism for a Training and Organizing Program for assisting emerging parties in:

1. Preparation and Conceptualization of a Training Design on Party Building (Process, Principles and Methodologies)
2. preparation of a customized training design based on local conditions and indigenous practices vis-à-vis organizing strategy;
3. Consolidation of research materials, best practices of party building, experiences and serving as a data bank system for the purposes stipulated;
4. Facilitation of inter-party exchanges and internship programs with other parties who are in power;
5. Conducting Annual Training and Organizing Conferences; and
6. Conducting a practical Training-Organizing Program

Participant preparation: Facilitators request participants send to the Congress Secretariat the following materials two (2) weeks before the actual Congress:

1. Summary of experiences on party building process;
2. Copy of the Training design and modules;
3. the respective party comment and recommendation on the propose outcome;
4. Party Profile; and
5. Power point presentation (if any)

Facilitators: Elias Labro & Guia Limpin, Greens PH delegates 

Asia-Pacific Young Greens Network

Facilitators: MJ Jha (APYGN Coordinator), Oscar Coleman (Australian Greens)