Movements' Experiences in Test
For this focus some questions were raised: on our own involvement in the existing conditions on the dealing with the progressive self-economisation and internalised hierarchies, on long-term alternatives of practical organisation and (free) spaces for it. At which point is protest meaningful, how can we realise appropriation of different levels, where is the transition from protest to resistance? What are the results of a critical reflection on past summits and comparable events regarding the practices of resistance?
In the congress’ philosophy that means to offer not only specific workshops, but to work on these questions throughout and in a theoretical as well as practical way. We want to start this debate with the overture and continue it in different working groups and seminars with diverse methods.
The BUKO in the last years has always been a place for the exchange of experiences, for networking and for the discussion of new political practices. This year’s congress shall promote these qualities carefully. Therefore, the retrospective view on 30 years of congress and movement history can serve as an overall umbrella or a space for projection.
A historical balance of concrete experiences like e.g. the house squatter struggles can clarify circumstances and show differences and regularities. Moreover, we consider it as meaningful and necessary, to look carefully for the structurally neglected areas of political resistance and resisting practice. Which discussions are regularly marginalised within the left or have to be requested over and over again, and what does this mean? This includes the common reflection on successes of concepts of resistance as well as on political projects be stamped in and inactive movements.
One more issue will be the practical knowledge transfer of present resistance practices. The different concepts should be explained, but also critically reviewed for aims, intentions and possibilities of realising them. After all local actions and the platform function of the congress could offer possibilities for existing initiatives of appropriation and empowerment.