Activist Support Workshop
During the build up to, during and after the G8 summit,it is likely that people will either get arrested, suffer harassment, or simply feel isolated due to police tactics, bail conditions etc.  Various working groups are already set up to deal with specific issues, such as legal support & Anarchist Black Cross. This workshop will explore ideas of both supporting those working groups and further providing support for people who are questioned by police, whether arrested or not, etc.  Ideas of solidarity actions can also be discussed.
 
Actions on the 6th July
Dissent organises autonomously, so this will not be a centralised coordinating committee.  However this workshop wishes to assist activists who are thinking of blockades.  Discussions can be had on geographical locations & terrain, support, what support we require from other working groups etc.  No central plan will be formulated, but hopefully this will inspire people's creativity!
 
Arrest Role-play
Aim: To introduce all aspects of the arrest procedure to people who've not been through it before (or not for quite a while) Why: The threat of arrest is something used to keep people in line.  Hopefully going through the process in a safe environment can help to shed some light on the experience and to make that first real arrest less intimidating (if it ever happens). What: Go through an arrest situation; arrest on the street, removal to a police station, search, fingerprinting, photographing, interview and release.
 
Asylum Against Fascism and Racism - For Free Movement!
We invite refugees, asylum seekers and refugee interest groups to join our collective self-defence against the genocidal 8, known as the G8.  We will discuss action to be taken with Dungavel Detainees and actions at borders in co-ordination with people coming to Gleneagles.  This workshop will also involve discussions on perspectives and address eurocentrism and marginalisation of refugees in the activist movement and the left.
 
Background to the G8
Background info on how the G8 came to be, how it works and why protest against them. Information on the mobilisation against the G8. What inspiring things have happened before, what lessons can be learned and what new things can we do.
 
Blair's Africa Gambit
When Blair appears in public wearing a white ‘Make Poverty History' bracelet this is a gambit to capitalise on anti-g8 sentiments.  In part this is media manipulation to present ‘good demonstrators' who support Blair, as opposed to ‘bad demonstrators' who are being vilified in the press.  And this obscures how Blair's Africa Commission aims to intensify capitalist control and exploitation under the pretence of improving condition in Africa.  We shall discuss how to oppose this attempt to take neo-colonialism to a higher level.
 
Blockading: Introduction and Overview
General session on planning an effective and safe blockade. Including preparation, planning, reconnoitering, choosing a blockading technique, roles during the blockade and doing it safely.
 
Blockading:  Tripod Practice
Hands on learning to build and using tripods for blockading
 
Blockading: Lock on Practice
 
Catering Working Group
During the mobilisation, there are going to be thousands of mouths to feed. A working group has been set up by some UK mobile kitchens from the movement to co-ordinate the catering effort, to liase with kitchens in the UK and abroad, to source food, and to allocate kitchens to spaces. Anyone involved with a kitchen or with good contacts to kitchens and/or suppliers, or who want to help, please come along.
 
Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army
The Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army (CIRCA) are developing a new methods of political activism that bring together the ancient practice of clowning and the more recent practice of non-violent direct action (NVDA). Rebel Clowning is a process,  it is a state of being and not simply a tactic - it's not something that can be learnt or taught in two days but a long process of uncovering,  reclaiming our clown, bringing it together with intelligent rebellion and stupid disobedience.  Recruits normally take part in intensive "bigshoe camps" lasting two days before taking on a CIRCA mission, which have ranged from shutting down army recruitment centres, to welcoming George Bush to London. We are offering a taster session, a shorter but intensive training spread over two afternoons (both need to be attended) and a final strategy session to plot operation H.A.H.A.H.A.A at the G8.
 

Climate Action Group
Working group meeting to discuss outreach and networking for 8 July 2005 International Day of Action Against the Real Causes of Climate Change.  Will also include action brainstorming and logistics discussion.
 
Communications Group Workshop
A working group for the discussion and implementing of communications between convergence centres and working groups as well as informing dissenters of essential and relevant news. We will be looking at security issues, reliability and known problems as well as communication on actions.  Ideally, at least one person from each working group should be present to ensure network wide communication.
 
Consensus in large groups
Consensus is a radical way of making decisions without leaders, voting or hierarchies. In this workshop we'll look at what consensus is, and how we can make it work with large numbers of people.
 
Covergence Space Meetings 1-4
Discussions on issues around sorting convergence spaces for the Summit protests.  To include discussions on (W1) the concept of personal space and the ethos of mutual respect how we can find ways of interacting so that everyone feels safe in the convergence enviroment and that there views are being heard. (W2) The organisation of the site space (W3). Sourcing tat and set up organisation and (W4) Site ethos and guide lines.
 
Cre8 Summit
A space for discussion, ideas and planning of 'fix shit up' style action in Scotland in June/July. We have a concrete proposal concerning Governhill an area in Glasgow which is currently resisting the planned M74 extention. There are ideas to help develop an already existing community garden, and create safe community spaces.
 
Dealing with Trauma
Sharing experiences of and preparing for dealing with trauma/suffering violent situations.
 
Direct Action Workshop
A practical introduction to taking non-violent direct action, including different techniques, ways of supporting each other and staying safe, dealing with confrontation and arrest, as well as roleplaying an action.
 
Dissent! Network Meetings 
Not exclusively for those previously involved. Time for proposals/ discussions/ feedback between action and working groups/ network wide decisions and issues arising from the day's workshops. The agenda is open to suggestions relavent to Dissent! network. A facilitation team will put together a timetable for the festival depending on what folk want to talk about.
 
Facilitation of Meetings
A practical, in-depth workshop about facilitation of meetings. Facilitation helps to have effective and enjoyable meetings that keep your group inspired and active. The workshop covers what facilitation is about and what makes a good facilitator as well as practising facilitation tools and looking at how to deal with problems in meetings.
 
Faslane G8 Blockade
Practicalities for disrupting work at Faslane, where all of the UK's nuclear weapons are based, in preparation for the blockade on Monday 4th July.  The workshop will start with information about the Trident weapons system and what happens at Faslane.  We'll then look at how the blockade is being organised, try out blockading techniques and look at methods for cutting the fence and how to prepare for swimming and
sailing into the base. Come along to find out more and to dispel some of the myths about blockades at Faslane!
 
G8 and Scotland Plc
Corporate Watch and associates are working on a booklet and map about the G8 and Scotland plc which will be available shortly. At this workshop we will be discussing and sharing information about the topics that are covered in the booklet including the oil industry, the arms trade, Edinburgh's financial district as well as privatisation and information on the companies who stand to benefit directly from the G8 coming to Scotland.
 
Hill Walking
Make the most of your time in the Scottish hills. Getting where you want to go, including basic navigation skills using map and compass. Plus happy hillwalking hints to make your expedition safe and successful.  If you have any relevant maps, or a compass, then please bring them.
 
How to plan an action
How to plan smooth and effective actions, with a checklist of things to think about, including reconnaissance, coming up with plans, materials, roles to fill, getting money, communication before and during the action, back-up plans...
 
Iceland SOS

Europes's greatest Eco-Scandal. Stop the Icelandic government and Alcoa destroying Europe's last remaining wilderness for an aluminium plant.  Come along to get informed and learn about the international gathering projected for summer 2005 (after the G8).
 
International Networking Meeting
Over the last 18 months, those involved in the Dissent! Network have been attempting to build new connections - connections which remain under construction - with groups and networks on a local and global level. The aim has been both to create a strong, co-ordinated response to the 2005 G8 Summit, and to create networks which last well after the world leaders have returned home. Come along and find out about the international mobilisation so far, what still needs to be done, and how to get
involved
 
Media/Communications Strategy Workshop
An effective Communications Strategy is an important part of any campaign, and this workshop is a time for Dissenters to talk about how to get the message across effectively as well as what the message is and who it's aimed at.  Includes, how to answer the question "Well, what do you want?", looking at language, avoiding jargon, positive vs negative messages and reducing the risk of major misinterpretation. 
 
Media Skills Workshop
This workshop will go over all the basics needed to work with mainstream national, local and community media as part of an overall Communications Strategy for both the G8 and other campaigns. Issues discussed will include dealing with journalists, how to write a press release that will get replied to and how to do press conferences and publicise events. We will do role-plays of interviews with hostile journalists -"Why are you planning to destroy Edinburgh?". Together we'll work on the basic skills we need to take on the media empire, and much more!
 
Media Technical Skills
Getting Digital Video and Audio and Stills onto the Internet is a really effective strategy for telling our own story. Lose your techno-fear! Tools - we look at cables, cameras, minidisks, tapes, and computers and see how they fit together and how to transfer information between them. We will practice getting Audio and Video footage on to CDroms, DVD's and the Internet. We will look at commerical software you might come accross but also free software as well. Please bring your own kit if you have it.
 
Medical Briefing: The Basics
This workshop will cover the basics of looking after yourself and your mates on actions.  It will cover preperation for all eventualities and then how to deal with situations on the ground.  This includes a section on CS Gas.  It does not qualify you as a first aider.
 
Medic Role Play
Only for qualified or experienced medics.  This is chance to brush up on your skills by practing how you would respond in various scenerious. Expect lots of gruesome makeup and screaming!
 
Nanotechnolgy and Technologies of Control
Nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter at the scale of atoms and molecules, is being hailed as the next industrial revolution.  Nanotech will form part of the agenda for this years G8 meeting. Nanotech will pose new and powerful risks to society and the environment - from nanomaterials with altered toxicity properties to biosafety hazards posed by nano engineered artificial life-forms  - from all-pervasive surveillance from nanosensors to sweeping patents on life and matter at the nanoscale. This will be a space to find out more about nanotech, who controls it, what its dangers are - and to discuss what we can do about it.
 
Organising Local Community Action
After the G8 summit is over we need to be left with a strong movement, rooted in the local, and with a presence in our neighbourhoods, not just on the TV screens or on the pages of the Daily Mail.  This workshop is for discussing ideas about how to make this happen.
 
Peoples' Golfing Association
The Peoples' Golfing Association (PGA) will be holding an Open Golfing Tournament during the G8 summit, and plan to be playing golf on the sumptuous greens of Gleneagles during the G8 schmooze-fest. The tournament is open to all freedom loving individuals who reject everything the G8 stands for (except golf).  We have also discussed building a crazy-golf course.  Eight leaders, eight holes!  Join us for a discussion, workshop, and maybe a bit of golf!
 
Popular Education and Outreach
A workshop on doing educational G8 workshops, info talks,on the issues, taking action and how to get involved. Will include practical skills on how to host a workshop.  Hosted by the T*R*A*P*E*S*E Roadshow.
 
Prisoner Support
Most major mobilisations against summits, particularly against the G8 in recent years, have faced repression from the State and police.  It would be irresponsible for us a movement to fail to prepare for this, and one important aspect is providing organised and consistent support for those who end up in prison. This workshop facilitated by Brighton Anarchist Black Cross will look at ways we can do this.
 
Scottish Law and Police Tactics
This workshop will cover Scottish law, likely police tactic, the arrest process and legal support structures for the G8 mobilisation.  Please check out www.g8legalsupport.info
 
Support Systems on Actions
An introduction to ways your group can support each other on actions. Covers models for different types of actions including affinity groups, buddy systems, street teams. Also covers roles on actions.
 
Traveller Support Network Meeting
Gypsies and Travellers are one of Britain's oldest minority communities. However, they are the most marginalised people in the country, with the highest infant mortality rates and the lowest literacy rates. The travelling lifestyle has been pretty much destroyed by oppressive legislation such as the Criminal Justice Bill 1994 which enabled authorities to move people on as soon as they stop, and removed the obligation on local authorities to provide sites for Travellers; 90% of planning applications made by Gypsies & Travellers are refused.  This meeting is to build networks and discuss strategies to stand in solidarity with Gypsy and Traveller communities facing racist oppression.
  
War, Oil and the G8 Greenwash
How can we strategise to counteract the attempt to delegitimise protests by talking climate change? How are campaigners not to be further marginalised? An in depth discusson on climate change politics.
 
Working Group Against Work
Our working group is organising action for the G8 that comes out of our day-to day struggles over work, claiming benefits, housing and resistance to debt.  Our aim is to take actions that will inspire ongoing solidarity and subversion wherever we work and live, long after the G8. Let's challenge the myth that people who are deemed unproductive in captial's terms - "economically inactive" - make no contribution to social well-being.  When we sign on, we're told to "actively seek" work.  But we actively seek the end of this profit-based system and work towards a global community based on freedom, co-operation and human need. All welcome to this workshop to discuss action at the G8 and beyond.
 
Women Speaking in Meetings
For anarchist organisation to work, women need an equal say in how things are run.  Taking part in meetings can often be an intimidating experience for women, and can put us off participating in groups.  This workshop will look at why we find it difficult to speak in meetings.  We'll work on practical confidence building techniques, and tools for making meetings more democratic.  Come along and share your experiences and ideas.
 
The workshop timetable is now available online