A free, eight-week online course focused on movement building for a new model of political economy is open for enrolment.
Offered by Synergia Institute and Athabasca University in Canada, the course is aimed at newcomers to social change work as well as veteran activists, practitioners, policy-makers, and researchers.
The Synergia MOOC offers a certificate of completion and three graduate credits – applicable to the community studies or global change streams of Athabasca University’s MA in interdisciplinary studies.
Related: How new forms of organisation can help communities protect themselves from climate change
Free at certificate level, the course is also available for degree accreditation for the cost of CA $269 (£151).
Course instructors include John Restakis, co-founder of Synergia Institute, who will lead the social care module; Michael Lewis, author, educator and practitioner in community economic development; Julie Macarthur, instructor and co-author of the energy module; Pat Conaty, research associate of Co-operatives UK; Tim Crabtree, senior lecturer in economics at Schumacher College and Mike Gismondi, adult educator and distance education practitioner with Athabasca University and co-founder of Synergia Institute.
The first four weeks, which commenced on 25 March, examine capitalism and issues around land and resources for common good, ecological resilience, a just food system and pathways to solidarity.
The second four weeks, starting 20 May, look at democratising social care, democratic ownership in the context of building a resilient energy future, democratic financing solutions for the great transition and building the politics for systems change.
More information on the course is available on Synergia Institute’s website.
The institute is an international network of individuals and organisations that brings together academics, social activists, practitioners and policymakers to explore a new model of political economy.
