Real Solutions to the Systemic Crisis – Resources & Recording

Workshop Highlights

We explored the latest data from the “Index of Systemic Trends” (The Democracy Collaborative, September 2024), which confirms the ongoing decline in key indicators of American wellbeing. More importantly, we discussed how communities across America are using solidarity economy approaches to create real change.

Key topics included:

  • Public banking
  • Worker ownership
  • Public production of essentials
  • Community land stewardship
Check Out the Resource Archive
Watch the Recording

Resources

Find ALL the resources in this one document: Real Solutions to the Systemic Crisis – Follow Up

  1. Presentations:
  2. Recording: You can rewatch the workshop here: https://youtu.be/qJ2gyXMVmY4
  3. Index of Systemic Trends: Explore further at index.democracycollaborative.org
  4. Access the archive of the chat
  5. Access the archive of the agenda
Check Out the Resource Archive

Next Steps

  1. Join the Resist and Build Network – Become part of a growing movement for systemic change – resistandbuild.net
  2. Save the Date: Resist and Build Summit – resistandbuild.net/atl-2025
    • When: May 1-5, 2025
    • Where: Atlanta, GA
    • Highlights:
      • Learn from Atlanta’s grassroots organizers
      • Workshops on cooperatives, land trusts, direct action, and community governance
      • “Carnival Beyond Capitalism” celebration
      • Strategy sessions on systems change
  3. Stay Informed
    • Sign up for newsletters from our partner organizations
    • Follow our social media channels for updates and insights
Watch the Recording

Our Partners

This workshop was made possible through collaboration with:

Media Partners:

Speakers

◾ Joe Guinan (TDC) on the Index of Systemic Trends

◾ Emily Kawano (USSEN) on Solidarity Economy responses

And breakout discussions with:

  • David Cobb (PNLL) on community land trusts
  • Trinity Tran (CPBA) on public banks
  • Amaha Selassie (Co-op Dayton) on worker co-ops
  • Dana Brown (TDC) on public pharma

Description

It’s long been obvious that something is very wrong with our direction as a country. The vast wealth of the United States is not experienced as such by many, if not most, Americans. GDP may increase, the stock market may rise, but for most of us there is a growing squeeze on incomes and an accumulating debt burden.

A close look at the data shows us that we are not imagining this dissonance. The second edition of TDC’s Index of Systemic Trends reveals that the dashboard warning lights are blinking insistently across key indicators of economic, social and environmental performance, and our accompanying crisis of faith in democratic institutions and politics continues. (The Index is featured today in The Guardian in a column by Aditya Chakrabortty.)

But there is still hope. Communities across America are already building their own alternatives and deploying proven approaches to create real change. From community land trusts and cooperative enterprises to public banks and state production of pharmaceuticals, a new, more democratic economy is in the making.

Join us to discuss the systemic crisis and solidarity economy responses, and to learn how you can be part of this growing movement. 

What You’ll Gain

◾ Understand the Real Problem: Learn how systemic issues, not personal failings, are behind many of our economic struggles.

◾ Discover Working Solutions:

  • Public Banking: How it could lower your taxes and fund community projects
  • Worker Co-ops: The key to job security and fair wages
  • Public Pharma: Making life-saving drugs affordable for all
  • Community Land Trusts: Removing land from the speculative market and keeping housing affordable

◾ Take Action: Leave with concrete steps to implement change in your community.

◾ Connect: Network with others who are ready to build a fairer economy.

Space is limited. Reserve your spot today!

Check Out the Resource Archive

The system is broken – but together we can fix it.