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Engendering change requires strong leaders as well as supportive allies.This workshop will explore the role of allies in social activism and discuss the characteristics of an effective ally.   From social movements, to peace talks, to humanitarian interventions, the term is increasingly used to express solidarity with disempowered groups. Yet, there is often a lack of understanding regarding what allyship means and how it should be applied. As a result, there is a risk that individuals identifying as allies may unintentionally harm, rather than help, those groups they aim to champion. In this workshop, participants will learn skills to stand with marginalized groups, speak out against inequality and oppression, and promote meaningful policy change. Topics covered will include: active listening, asking questions, accepting constructive feedback, confronting privilege and leveraging it to empower others, and apologizing when mistakes are made. Although the focus of this workshop will be on allyship in the context of gender discrimination, the lessons learned can be applied to other forms of social and political injustice whether racial, political, economic, or religious.

There is currently considerable research into how the discriminatory practices of everyday social living have been transposed into the technological realm. For instance, many of the same biases we are witness and subject to in our physical realities, when transferred over into the digital sphere, see themselves exaggerated and expanded. 

This panel will depart from an exploration of the ways in which technology may produce and reproduce some of the most pernicious inequalities of our societies. Take the example of the facial surveillance/detection function: Snapchat demonstrated its inability to overcome racial biases in the coding of the facial recognition algorithms, thus failing to recognize people of non-white ethnicities (particualrly individuals of East-Asian descent) in order for them to use the “filter” functionality fo the app. Relatedly, we see it in the case of the wife-tracking application sold in Saudi Arabia. In this respect, panelists will talk about data amalgamation, algorithmic bias, the gender problem in the tech sector etc. The panel will then turn to a discussion of the ways in which people are challenging these harmful applications of technology. In particular, it will look at the ways in which technology is being harnessed to achieve equity for both women and other marginalized groups. 

Rooted deep in human nature and responsible for the twists and turns of history, activism is certainly not a new concept. However, within the past decade we have seen innovative forms of grassroots activism and high-level advocacy topple oppressive regimes, reinforce whose lives matter, push through policies of equality and dignity, and end wars. Nonviolent campaigns have become increasingly common and have proven to have a higher success rate than violent initiatives. From protesting to boycotting, and from social media campaigns to civil disobedience, courageous individuals continue to defy the status quo through a wide array of methods and strategies. In order to respond to our world’s current complex challenges, it is imperative that we understand how to engage in–and lead–effective and inclusive activist efforts. It is critical that we understand how to inculcate a culture of activism that flows from the stakeholders themselves, and learn how to provide effective support. Therefore, this panel will seek the guidance and insights of experienced activists, who will share their best practices and lessons learned in order to help participants become strong activists in their own right. 

Given these considerations, this panel will explore the following:

• What are the lessons learned from activists who have experience in leading grassroots initiatives? What are the challenges they face? What is their advice for burgeoning activists? 
• How do you organize effectively? What skills and qualities does it take to lead a productive campaign?
• How do you get the necessary support for your cause, whether human or material?
• How can you make your campaigns inclusive? How can activism be successful in amplifying marginalized voices and communities?
• What are the differences between activism led by members of affected communities themselves as opposed to stakeholders who may not be affected by the movement directly but can be a bridge to axes of power?

Research is a fundamental skill for international relations academics and practitioners alike. Failure to consider gender in one’s research can create incomplete and sometimes faulty conclusions, which will lead to an underrepresentation in the programs and policy that the research will inform. Doing this recreates and reinforces the systems of oppression that impact women and non-binary genders. In this workshop, we will discuss best practices of engendering the research design process for projects in human security, development, and other related fields. Including gender considerations in research has the ability to create more inclusive, equitable policy and programming decisions. The skills learned will be applicable and transferrable to most research settings. The workshop will focus on: 1) how to design and draft gender-sensitive research questions; 2) how to prepare gender-aware research processes (interviews, focus groups, surveys, and other data collection tools); and 3) analyze a case example of a research proposal and strengthen the outcomes by including gender dimensions. The workshop will address both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

“All of us should be thinking about the experiences other people who have different gender identities than ours, because our liberation is tied up in each others’ liberation” shares K Martinez, Moderator of Queering International Relations and Director of the Tufts Women’s Center.

Be sure to register for the #CGIA and this panel happening on Friday, November 17 at 11:15 in ASEAN, Fletcher

 

 

 

 

Are you a Tufts student with a passion for gender inclusion? Want to gain professional experience while being part of the international conversation on gender, power, and intersectionality? Then the Conference on Gender and International Affairs needs you! Apply by October 4, 2017 to be involved with this year’s conference on Money, Power, and Influence: The Gendered Dimensions of Geopolitics. The Conference will be held on November 17 and 18, 2017.

As the conference is quickly approaching, the committee is looking to hire volunteer interns in the areas of:

• Graphic Design
• Marketing
• Video Editing
• Operations
• Content/Art Organizing
• Fundraising

Interns will work closely with Fletcher student committee members to organize and prepare for the upcoming conference. Attention to detail, ability to multi-task and excellent communication skills are all essential to this position. Interns are expected to work approximately 5 hours per week until closer to the conference. Interns are also expected to attend the entirety of the conference on November 17 and 18.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to hope.schaitkin@tufts.edu by October 4, 2017 with the subject line: CGIA Internship Application, indicating your internship area preference (Graphic Design, Video Editing, Operations, Content/Art Organizing, Fundraising). Should you have any questions about the specific roles and responsibilities of these positions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Best Wishes,
The CGIA Team