Inspired by observing the pitfalls and restraints of our current Institutions and Political systems, we are choosing to stand as Trailblazers.
It was telling that almost everyone at Campfire Convention's Campout 2022 stuck up their hand when asked if they felt 'unrepresented' by the current political situation. There is a strong shared belief that politics (and especially party politics) is broken, that it has become a circus of lies, deceit, back-stabbing and divisiveness. We envisage something way more fit for the times than dinosaur political parties. No longer Punch and Judy politics, which party to vote for, how to form progressive alliances, I think we can all agree that very few current politicians have our collective best interests at heart.
What we're talking about here is a Manifesto for Living in these precarious times.
Can our current system be fixed or overhauled?
Solutions will not be found in our current system. Systems failure, systems breakdown and systemically embedded programming and oppression are calling us to address root causes of our societal problems, not just the symptoms. Systems level solutions are now needed as we collectively re-architect our society and look for synchronicity with others also doing this vital work.
Critical and creative approaches to narrative and structural change will be central to this Movement. Trailblazing social change is bringing together activists, artists and thought-leaders from around the world. We now urgently need those people and organisations doing the good work in 'parallel polis' to come together and unite to build a new movement.
Collective action in combination with personal shifts are necessary for each of us to undertake this type of heart-centred readjustment. Critical Somatics and arts based activism can be brought together whilst exploring a variety of different methods and frameworks for Systemic Social Change, all grounded through practical discussions around how we can all focus our strategies for critical and fruitful change.
We are all inspired by others, whether friends, peers, authors, speakers or influencers, progressive local and regional initiatives.
Let us now recognise and empower each other as 'Trailblazers'.
The Trailblazer movement isn’t (neccessarily) a political party, or even something that could be labelled as politics - it’s about re-imagining what's currently called politics as it should be. In essence it's a much-needed Manifesto for how to be a human being in the present climate.
It places hope, truth, positivity and pragmatic solutions centrestage, as we co-create a personal / local / national framework for change with potential to become international.
The movement is about people, representing themselves, moving forwards together, underpinned by our common values:
1 Progressive. A society run by all, for all, grounded in common sense and integrity, questioning and breaking from old habits when needed.
2 Independent. Working outside the existing outmoded party political structure and tribal dogma.
3 Local. Respect for democracy at grass roots level, localised communities working within a global interconnected framework and connected by an overarching social network/s.
4 Empowering. Working for the good of all, creating and nurturing a participatory environment where people feel they have a voice and can make a difference through liquid democracy.
5 Humanistic. A greener, more empathic society moving away from materialism and profit as primary drivers, celebrating its spiritual elements and natural beauty, supporting renewables and working for peace through conflict resolution.
6 Collaborative. Encouraging complimentary skills and knowledge, bringing people together via mutual support mechanisms and initiatives which reward their own members through measured input.
7 Questioning. Questioning narratives, reaching out beyond our circles and bubbles, joining the dots but respecting the differences, bringing to the table a range of diverse viewpoints and experience.
8 Connected. A self-sufficient networked community that maximises technology for good and networking, enabling co-ordination and exchange, supporting creative commons and open source approaches.
9 Resourceful. Building collective wisdom through new approaches to learning and ideas development.
10 Principled. Making decisions based on our core values.
11 Fun. Always remembering to add the joker in pack ;) What’s living for if not to enjoy life and all it has to offer?
We are collectively working towards a framework for real and radical evolutionary change. A framework is not easily formulated or agreed but we are actively seeking your involvement for discussion to realise co-created pragmatic ways of making these changes immediate and meaningful.
Here is our starter for ten, based on members input and feedback (this is very much a work-in-progress so please comment / edit / add) :
The Path:
I (Personal changes we can make)
Health Staying healthy, fit and trying to be happy and sane by looking after ourselves and keeping perspective. Looking after our kids and being mindful of the legacy that we are leaving, the world that they are inheriting. Being as conscious as possible as to what we consume as food / drink, how often and how we exercise, meditate, limiting screen time and exposure to toxic media and advertising sources.
Nature Connection Connecting with nature in its widest sense, learning from its cycles and rhythms, connecting with our own true nature.
Awareness and Empathy A shift from materialism to empathy, from greed and self-service to being in service for ‘the good of all’, done with an increased awareness of others, a slowing down, a imperative to keep 'the bigger picture' in our sights.
Sharpening Our Tools Overcoming learned helplessness, realising that we are the change, which we can all do via deep listening, use of language, being aware of where the power lies, pulling the wool from our own eyes and others, gently teaching others.
Finding Ourselves Creating space to find ourselves, to become the best versions of ourselves, to realise our true calling. Doing inner work and shadow work where necessary. If we are each to do the work and teach others, we need to be constantly learning and reappraising ourselves, to be resilient, open and present, to value our time.
Ethical & Resourceful Supporting and use co-operatives and local businesses rather than corporations. To not invest in stocks and shares, pensions or savings...unless it's directly to a business with ethics that we know and trust. Use less, spend less, earn less: instead to recycle, upskill, to become independent and resourceful. Learning new things that are fun and rewarding. Deprogramming from consumerist trappings.
Self Sufficiency Ensuring our set up for food and energy is as resilient as possible. Buying local farm products and vegetable boxes. Stocking up on staples in case of shortages. Getting a bike working, stocking up on warm clothes, thermals and socks.
Heart-Centred Learning how to rest in the heart and what true courage is, increasing our awareness of the many processes that block us from staying heart connected. We will endeavour to create a map that identifies the blocks so we can recognise what causes us suffering and let go of these processes.
WE (What we can change in our local community)
Listening To Each Other Accepting the validity of challenging views, learning, practicing and teaching deep listening skills, the art of conversation, being fully present for others. Discussing and reflecting but not focusing on division and arguments. Not letting the 'divide and conquer' work, not allowing the polarities to drain our intent to actually get things done for ourselves and improve our own or our collective situation.
Imagining Re-imagining a future with more compassion and equality, a place where all can flourish, create and experience a productive and fruitful environment. Let's fully utilise our unique human gifts of imagination and let's do it with the gift of co-creation too.
The Commons A move away from trademarking, copyrights, intellectual property, enclosure and exploitation to creative commons, open source and community collaboration. Promote Right to Roam, land reclamation, community spaces for use by all.
Local Communities Build localised networked communities, pooling resources, skills exchanges, working within sight of a global interconnected framework.
Media Develop good practice with news formulation and dissemination.
Rights Keep an eye on legislation and stand up for future rights, organise our own information reference as an online resource.
Kindness Acts of kindness, putting love centre stage.
Our Legacy A call for humanity to make the continuation of life and the education of our future generations the primary consideration – before profit, power or personal ambition. To ask oneself, “will this action, this purchase or this statement, truly support a healthy, life-affirming future for our children and their children’s children?” Overhauling outmoded education systems with a move towards towards experiential learning away from targets and grades.
REGION (Our country or regional reach)
Time to Stand Up Standing for election as a local representative of the ‘Trailblazer’ movement into post-politics (or supporting another who is standing) as we create a movement for the real systemic change that is so needed at so many levels
Systemic Change Working towards an overhaul of the political and social systems, away from party politics and polarity to a common-sense, grass roots democracy which looks to build consensus by maximising engagement (including digitally).
Mutual Support Exploring how we can reclaim the ideas around Universal Basic Income as our own, not some agenda from globalisation. In the right hands, this wouldn't be tool of technocratic control, it would liberate us from the drudgery of worthless jobs for corporations whilst promoting meaningful work, giving greater value to more mundane and often essential jobs. Looking to work collaboratively and share the workload, time bank or skills exchange. Many great wise elders have advocated the importance of work as part of the whole. UBI is a good way for creative people to blossom, whilst offering security to those at the bottom of the pile, who may spend most of their lives in a state of anxiety about money and survival.
Joining The Dots Seeking out and supporting anarchistic grass-roots politics and organisations that want to grow a healthy political alternative. Communicating with and encouraging others doing the good work in parallel. Building a network of Trailblazers, lighting Beacons to honour and make visible each group's contributions.
Freedom To Roam Campaigning to extend the Countryside & Rights of Way (CRoW) Act in England so that millions more people can have easy access to open space, and the physical, mental and spiritual health benefits that it brings. Researching and understanding ancient Land Law v current Maritime Law and how we can revert to the older, more egalitarian system which underpins our present day legal system by opting out and resisting.
WORLD (Joining the dots globally)
Universal Commonality Look to transcend restrictive notions of geographical borders and boundaries, restricted territories and passports wherever possible. Work towards a ‘No Nation’ world, not in the sense of a globalist agenda but in terms of finding commonality and agreed values worldwide. This is a controversial clause and needs full discussion and development.
The Big Shift Support the move from a ‘what’s in it for me?’ culture to one that puts the good of all and the planet at the centre.
Online Communities Build and promote non-corporate online platforms for ideas exchange and development globally, mutual support mechanisms and initiatives which reward their own members through measured input.
Money Strategically becoming as free as possible from Fiat currency and other biosecurity state controls.
Energy Explore a shift in energy use to renewables.
Finding the Common Ground Peace-building through techniques of conflict resolution, frameworks for mediation and reconciliation. Being fully aware of the Military Industrial Complex and its machinations.
Learning from Trailblazers Globally To learn from those local Trailblazing communities that are most fruitful and spread the word and methods of positive systemic social change around the world. Finding ways to bring those people and organisations doing the good work in 'parallel polis' to come together and unite to build a new movement, to move our values and actions centre stage to become the prevailing values.
Love Love Is The Answer.
Fun never forget to have fun in the process!