Theme and Intent

Act Collectively, Transition Together-Systems for Justice

Fall 2014 Convergence-November 14th-16th@ University of California, Davis

Statement of Intention, Recognition of History: CSSC was founded on the three pillars of sustainability: equity, economy, ecology. We were also founded on these principles:

• Respect and Care for the Community of Life
• Ecological Integration
• Social and Economic Justice
• Democracy, Nonviolence, Peace

Although our organization has considered revising our mission, there is still much to glean from it as it stands. Our Mission is to unite and empower California’s community of higher education to collaboratively and nonviolently transform ourselves and our institutions based on our inherent social, economic, and ecological responsibilities.

Throughout our history as an organization we have been a hub for California youth passionate about sustainability. We have served as a national representative through Energy Action Coalition and more, and our members have represented CSSC internationally as well. We are the leading statewide student-run organization focused on sustainability in California. Our convergences have been moving from the traditional focus on ecological and environmental stewardship towards a greater understanding and valuing of justice, uplifting economic transition and equity as the priority. We still very much value environmental and ecological stewardship but with recognition of social and economic context.
As a convergence planning team we recognize that:

1. The face of the sustainability and environmental movement has not adequately represented those who are most affected by environmental degradation.
2. Climate Chaos is earth’s reaction to an unjust world. Those who are systematically oppressed in our society tend to bear the brunt of environmental destruction. (potentially include: Capitalism, racism, sexism, classism, all forms of oppression and social stratification lead to wealth disparity and exploitation of land and people for the accumulation of wealth of all forms. This has created and maintained the climate crisis.)
3. Racial, Gender, Sexuality, and Class (and other forms of) inequity must be addressed by all, including those passionate about sustainability.
4. Allyship and Solidarity cannot be mere buzz words in allied communities but must be rooted in a deep, meaningful and genuine will to learn, listen, and act.
5. All are welcome to the conversation, but it takes work to affirm and recognize and welcome all intersecting identities. The act of “welcoming” all is just that, it is intentional and necessitates action on the part of the organizers and participants to recognize diversity within the organization and society in order to move forward. Part of that work is creating space by sharing the floor so that others can share themselves.
6. We need to fundamentally shift the narrative of sustainability towards one that is centered on justice at the root of all sustainable progress.
7. “Economic Sustainability” to us inherently means respecting people and planet before profit.

Davis CSSC: The CSSC Spring 2011 convergence was held at UC Davis and highlighted corporate responsibility. It was held on the eve of Occupy UC Davis and gave many of the issues of the time a forum for discussion and action. The Campus Center for the Environment through ASUCD has been the hub of CSSC on Davis campus for many years and only recently has the network expanded but continued to be heavily partnered with CCE. In the past two years the Fossil Fuel Divestment Campaign and Students Against Fracking (in coalition with CalPirg) chapters began and flourished, connecting with racial justice, and labor justice initiatives.
Recognition of Limitations: We recognize that the capacity of our planning team, because of our experience, background, time, knowledge and networks may limit the ability for the convergence to reach its full potential. The beauty of convergence tends to be the people that attend, creating a welcoming and genuine experience for all to feel comfortable challenging themselves and others or to simply be surrounded by like minded folks. The span of a weekend can change the course of a persons, organizations or even movement’s direction but it can also be a milestone or a blip. We hope to be the former but recognize and affirm that it is okay for the weekend to have a low impact for some and hope that other movement moments will continue to outshine this convergence.

Explanation of Theme: In our original messaging, “We agreed that this theme is strong because it doesn’t solely address environment, but also emphasizes a collective, conscious movement like many of us have suggested as a foundation for the theme. As Kevin Gong stated in his recruitment letter email, CSSC’s approach to sustainability equally values social, economic, and environmental justice. With this theme, we can build our Convergence on the questions: What are we transitioning to? What does the transition look like? Who is actively participating in this transition?”

We hope to highlight multiple aspects of systemic injustice and resilience. Our struggles are interconnected just as those who are allies are part of the solution.