Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #118729

Makani Themba-Nixon, The Praxis Project, 1750 Columbia Rd, NW, Second Floor, Washington, DC 20009, (202) 234-5921, mthemba@thepraxisproject.org

Critical pedagogy requires a breakdown of the traditional teacher-student dichotomy. This need to address traditional hierarchies in learning is particularly critical outside of academic settings. “Circular” learning environments provide the space for each participant – “trainers” and “attendees” alike – to each engage as both teacher and learner. Using tools like dialogue, interactive play, experiential learning and storytelling, the Praxis Project's Learning Circles bring together diverse groups of community residents in a retreat setting. The Circles are designed to facilitate skills building and exchange to support policy advocacy and organizing for social justice. Emphasis is placed on group connections and action planning for future change initiatives. For example, participants are often required to have more than one person from their organization attend in order to ensure support for implementing ideas or plans developed during the session. These approaches are important because they not only provide participants with new skills and information, they help surface models of collective work and expand the base of “networked” organizers. Evaluation of the project shows that a significant number of Learning Circle participants continue to work together on organizing initiatives more than a year after a gathering.

Learning Objectives: