We’re delighted to share the second part of Kate O’ Shea’s response to the Just City – Networks of Solidarity. Networks of Solidarity is a series of four monthly online talks co-organised by artist/organiser Kate O’Shea and writer/researcher Enya Moore from the Just City Collective, beginning on the 4th May at 10AM Dublin (IST), 7PM Sydney (AEST) with Between Our Minds.     betweenourminds-networksofsolidarity.eventbrite.ie

Between Our Minds, the first Networks of Solidarity event, sets the foundations for the whole series by exploring sustainable practices of collective care in building communities. Recognising burnout within the community organising and resisting contemporary individualistic and commodified versions of self-care, this discussion brings together the experiences and wisdom of five guests who practice care in different ways. How can food, healing and creative practice become mediums in which to embody care? Gadigal, Dharug and Yuin Elder Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor, a custodian of cultural knowledge on Gadigal Country (present-day Sydney) and her daughter Nadeena Dixon will perform a Welcome to Country, a ritual performed by traditional owners to welcome visitors to their land.

Guests: Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor (Gadigal, Dharug, Bidjigal and Yuin Elder and artist), Nadeena Dixon (Gadigal, Wiradjuri and Yuin multi-disciplinary artist), Clare Cooper (design lecturer, activist, musician), Rita Fagan (activist, artist, and practitioner), Dawn Weleski (artist)

Facilitators: Kate O’Shea and John Bissett

The Networks of Solidarity series aims to strengthen transnational networks of solidarity and deepen awareness of place-based struggles that reverberate from Dublin 8 to Gadigal Country (Sydney, Australia). Four interconnected and overlapping sessions entitled Between our Minds; In the Roots; Through our Stories and On the Airwaves will feature presentations and performances from invited artists, activists, community workers, designers, academics, researchers, writers, and filmmakers based largely in Ireland and Australia.

The Just City Collective, formed by Just City Counter Narrative Neighbourhood resident Kate O’Shea as part of ‘HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH? brings together community workers, artists, activists and researchers from around the world exploring ideas and practices around spatial injustices in multiple cities. Networks of Solidarity is supported by Common Ground’s The Just City – Counter Narrative Neighbourhood Residency 2020 – 2021 which is funded by the Arts Council and Dublin City Council, with additional support from Create.