RiseUp4Rojava campaign's education initiative kicks off in Vienna

The first event of the #RiseUp4Rojava campaign's education initiative took place in Vienna. The aim is to bring groups from different environments to dialogue and learn about local struggles.

The Vienna-based group of the #RiseUp4Rojava campaign invited the representatives of various local organizations and alliances to a panel to discuss questions of social organization together with the Academy of Democratic Modernity (ADM). A total of eight speakers from different organisations including the Academy of Democratic Modernity talked about different struggles and goals.

The aim of the event, entitled “Basic organization in Vienna and approaches of the Kurdish movement”, was to bring together various groups operating in the Austrian capital. ADM put local perspectives in relation to the experiences in building a revolutionary society in Kurdistan and presented the model of democratic confederalism practiced there. A bridge was built between the fighting in Vienna and in Kurdistan.

The Academy of Democratic Modernity has set itself the task of providing social education and spreading the paradigm of democratic confederalism. In addition, it wants to serve as a platform to bring together the anti-system forces of the time.

After a first round of introductions, all groups shared their experiences of their own political practice. The second round of speakers discussed the organizations' current relationship to society as well as further perspectives on organizing for society as a whole. In the third round, the question arose as to which concrete steps are necessary in order to achieve stronger joint organization.

The event was very positively received by the audience.

Other events as part of the education initiative launched by the Vienna #RiseUp4Rojava group are as follows:

• 22 to 29 May: "Feminism, climate and democracy: The example of Rojava", as part of the climate camp, exact time and place to follow

• May/June: "Jineoloji" with the Association of Students from Kurdistan

• June: "Feminist self-organization as self-defence", details to follow

• Mid-July: Demonstration and celebration of the 10th anniversary of the revolution in Rojava, details to follow.