Buen Vivir is a monthly series of talks on global social and climate justice. “Buen Vivir” is the most common translation for the indigenous Quechua concept of Sumak Kawsay, life lived in harmony with nature and community. While it is sometimes translated into English as A Good Life, Buen Vivir relates to a deeper understanding of how humankind, and the impacts of our lives, affect the planet and each other.
Each month will feature expert speakers in facilitated discussion addressing Buen Vivir issues affecting the world’s working populations. Speakers will alternate from global south and global north regions bringing together the voices of the most affected and those who benefit, connecting the dots of our impact. By illuminating and linking the effects of continuing unjust extractivism on the lives, livelihoods and resource-rich physical lands of global south peoples, and discussing the many opportunities to address the impacts, we hope to position the social justice issue clearly at the center of the climate justice conversation in Turtle Island and beyond.
Canadians have spoken out time and time again how increased groceries, energy, and home prices continue to hurt us. If Canadian politicians want to seriously address the cost of living crisis for their Canadian constituents, a divestment from fossil fuels must be on their list of priorities.
Our working definition of consumerism: an economic theory and social order that encourages people to buy more goods and services than they need for survival or status, based on the idea that consumer spending is the key to economic growth and individual well-being. We use nonviolent direct action to prompt reconsideration of the consumerist agenda, and seek to create a space where people can imagine alternatives like a wellbeing (buen vivir) economy.