This opening session introduces the purpose, structure, and methodology of the Survival Dialogues, along with the co-hosting organizations and shared agreements for engagement.

Participants will explore the current global political landscape through the perspectives of a scholar, a grassroots leader, and a civil society advocate. These insights will offer a clear framework for understanding the rise of authoritarianism and its impacts across communities, movements, institutions, and legal advocacy. The session will also highlight practical strategies that have proven effective in resisting authoritarianism.

The session creates space to reflect on “survival” as both a political and lived practice, grounding analysis in real-world experience and embodied knowledge.

Through collective learning and exchange, participants will begin building a shared foundation for the dialogues ahead. A brief somatic grounding practice will open the space, modeling the integrated approach that will guide the series.

Learning objectives: 

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Understand the purpose and approach of the Survival Dialogues

• Analyze key impacts of rising authoritarianism

• Identify effective strategies for resistance

• Reflect on survival as a political and lived practice

• Build connections for ongoing exchange and collaboration