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1.Introduction of the Group

ISWGEJ

Established in 2022 Under IASWG

Six Countries over three continents.

Educators, Practitioners, Community Organizers, Students

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Why Groups for Environmental Justice

There is no escaping climate change and environmental injustice
Counters division caused by systems that intentionally divide people from nature and each other
Reduces burnout and invites the sharing of feelings about the environmental justice crisis
Fosters a collectivist mindset
Develop communities of practice and experience that can enhance learning, and drive action

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2. Aims of our Group Over Time:

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Successes

Group planning
Documentation
Participation/session
Projects developed
Projects in development

3.Group Characteristics

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4.From a Mutual Aid Group to Action Group Work (1of 3)

An Eco social group must include mutual aid as well as social action:

It develops as an organic continuum
This international mutual aid group encourages members to take action at local and international levels

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From a Mutual Aid Group to Action Group Work (2 of 2)

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Adoption of an Action Group Work Model (3 of 3)

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5.Lessons from Sharing (1 of 2)

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Lessons from Sharing (1 of 2)

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6.Experienced Structural Injustice Factors

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7.The Power of Social Group Work (1 of 2)

This social group work has made it possible to^:
Bring together social workers committed to environmental injustices around the world.
Open the mindset of the participants to connect with different perspectives and cultures.
Share local realities of environmental injustices and to see their global connection.
Realize that we have concerns and feelings in common about the crisis no matter where we live.

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7.The Power of Social Group Work(2 of 2)

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8.Best Practices for Eco-Social Groups

Utilize technology

Stay connected between sessions- Telegram, WhatsApp
Google Document for work & planning
Zoom record feature

Establish group norms and Share responsibilities

Group Vision/Mission/Purpose Statement
How you’ll communicate between sessions
Who will record, remind recorder, send reminders, take notes

Be clear about your intention and purpose

Social Action? Mutual Aid?
Short vs. Long term
Specific goal vs. broad goals

Determine group composition and type

Just practitioners? Just service recipients? Both?
Closed vs. Opened Group

Be flexible and remember your why

Include members in the entire process
Remember that issues always come up so adapt
Go back to you purpose and reiterate it becomes difficult

Above all else address inequalities & injustice

Make space for discussion regarding the injustices of broader systems and of inequality climate change impacts
Be proactive, humble, collaborative, and culturally responsive

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9.The Role of IASWG in Environmental Justice Crisis

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Call to Action

1)Provide a support system for others who have concerns about the environment.

2) Empower one another to take action concerning ecological injustices and drive positive changes-practice, policy, education etc.

3) Development of social group work as a generic method of social work capable of addressing eco-injustice

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Sunday Ofili Ibobor (sunday.ibobor@uniben.edu) lives in Nigeria

Núria Prat (nuriaprat@ub.edu) lives in Spain

Georgianna Dolan-Rilley (Dolan-ReillyG@SacredHeart.edu ) lives in the United States

Hélène Filion Onserud (helene.onserud@gmail.com) lives in the United States

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