A Regional Anarchist Convergence: Towards a Federation

Easter weekend March 21 – 24, 2008

Northcote, Melbourne.

Accessibility note: the space is all on one level and is quite accessible.

This is an invitation open to all anarchists and anti-authoritarian revolutionaries, to stake a claim on the present as our revolutionary moment in the face of the thousands of repressions by the state and capitalism.

Over the last five years there have been a number of large convergences about anarchism/autonomism, generally connected to major summit protests. While these moments were important, there has been a lack of space for more thorough & detailed discussions of what our politics mean here & now, & for questions about the development of substantial anarchist, revolutionary & liberatory groups throughout society at large. This is an opportunity to do so.

An anarchist federation has been proposed. The proposal & discussion
about it can be seen here.

Some things that could be achieved from a new organisation include, but are not limited to:
• improved solidarity work when individuals and collectives face state repression;
• better support for anarchist spaces that already exist & the production of a regular regional publication;
• the development of greater momentum & support when collectives around the region are organising around similar issues.

If we are to move towards such organisation there is much to be discussed with groups & individuals of various tendencies and experiences. People who agree broadly with the politics expressed in the federation proposal, whether or not they identify as anarchists, are most welcome to join the convergence.

Revolutionary federations have a long history, including in this region, with varying success. So we ask, what is the right way to do it? And is now the right time?

To try and avoid another talkfest that ends in disarray, the conference will be structured around the hope of starting a federation. But we understand that not everyone who comes might end up wanting to join a federation – or, that we may not even form a federation at all. Still, we hope that coming together to discuss our tactics & ideas & improve our communication will in itself be a success.

Involvement

We strongly encourage people to talk about their thoughts in collectives and affinity groups beforehand, and to form proposals that can be discussed through spokescouncil structures. If people are unable to come to the convergence, we encourage you to send written responses & suggestions.

If you are interested in helping organise the convergence please get in touch with us (see our e-mail below). We want to make the process as decentralised and horizontal as possible, & hope that practical tasks could be divided among different groups, so please let us know if you can help with anything in particular.

There is also an e-list for organising practical aspects of the convergence. E-mail us for details.

Tasks include: Safer space & grievance

Compiling a reader

Website

Fundraising

Accomodation

Facilitating meetings

Transportation

Childcare

We are looking at doing fundraisers to subsidise travel for people who may have to come long distances. E-mail us if this would help you. In addition, please let us know if there are any other issues that may stop you from coming to the conference.

If you see any benefit of gathering and discussing with other anarchists and revolutionaries about how to strengthen our movement and propagate these ideas, then bring that optimism (with the usual healthy dose of cynicism) to Melbourne in March.

Reader

Also, we hope to put a reader out a few weeks before the conference. We are inviting collectives and individuals to write their responses to the proposal, their ideas about what revolution means in the here and now, and what we should be doing.

anarchist.federation.discussion@gmail.com