Participatory Democracy:
C2C develops leadership from marginalized communities that have traditionally been excluded from relevant policy discussions and legislative actions that affect their lives. These leaders will work towards an inclusionary local government that promotes community relationships towards self-reliance.
At C2C, we are inspired by the participatory budgeting system implemented in Porto Alegre Brazil, a key component of a healthy government working with the people. We will work to develop realistic actions based on these principles both within our organization and as a fundamental piece of our community building efforts. We consider the following projects and actions essential building blocks towards creating a more participatory citizenry in Whatcom County and our region.
- Formacion Civica – Civic Education Project
- Aguila del Norte Immigrant Justice Project
- Food Sovereignty
Food Sovereignty: Uniting family farmers, farm workers, retailers and consumers in creating localized self-sustaining and socially just food systems. Our goal is to protect and enrich our rural cultures and create sustainable livelihoods for all as we work towards healthy communities at the local level in a global economy. As
eco-feminists we develop our projects with the basic principles of racial equity, self determination of culturally appropraite nutrition and production with reverance for the earth and fellow humans.
- Food Justice Alliance:
- Colectiva Comunidad Sana / Healthy Communities Collective
- Cooperative Development
- Las Margaritas Catering Cooperative
- Finca Esperanza Organic Cooperative Training Farm
- Domestic Fair Trade
- Mujeres para un Pueblo Sano / Women for a Healthy Community:
Food Justice: By using the Social Forum process of developing strategic alliances and cooperative / collaborative relationships based on mutual respect; solidarity; reverance for Mother Earth; common values and principles; commitment to healthy mutually dependent communities and the knowledge that we are all interconnected; C2C leaders know that another world is possible and that real social transformation towards happy healthy livelihoods requires essential human face to face consistent dialogue on many levels.
In this program area C2C leaders learn, teach and act on these ideals by actively participating in local and national networks focusing on:
Building a Solidarity Economy
Creating Spaces for Marginalized Voices
Understanding Oppression and Undoing Privilege
Uniting Culture and Nature in an eco-feminist vision
