We want to see positive change in all our relationships, and in our lifestyle as a whole. We believe that in order to do this we need to network and work in connecting and bringing people together with a similar heart. Networking means that all are connected, and we can build unity in our actions and our prayers. In praying about situations of injustice and speaking out about the same things at the same time, we are able to make our call for change louder.
SPEAK is not an organisation. SPEAK is a network because we believe it takes all of us to recognise that we have a responsibility to those who are suffering as a result of global injustice. In the past, we have spent long enough believing that an organisation will do it all for us, and that giving limited financial assistance to a charity is enough. However, global problems are more deep rooted, connected with unfair trade and debt, and many other issues.
We believe in changing unjust policies and legal structures, but not just that.. we believe in modeling new systems, money systems, and trading systems locally to transition local revolutionary peaceful change. We believe in acting to enhance local participation and encourage our community network to build new structures of participation with partners locally!
We are committed to questioning unjust, illegitimate power structures of nation-states, corporations, and international institutions. We are committed to not just criticising existing structures but modeling new positive alternatives locally.
SPEAK is not another organisation existing to soothe our consciences. SPEAK exists to stir the conscience of everyone. We act as a movement to stir people, especially the emerging generation, into action and see them released as catalysts to motivate the movement for social justice as a whole. It is not served up to you on a plate – it is up to you to take initiative. SPEAK is an evolving, dynamic movement of relationships.
The relationships formed within the Network are constantly sparking off new initiatives. We believe that we are empowered and resourced in a relationship with God and in relationships with each other, rather than just through an organisation. It is difficult to box this movement or to give a totally accurate neat description.
We want to encourage and support people do community and spirituality in a way that works for them, rather than feeling obliged to join intuitions to tick a box. The most important thing is real relationships with each other and the source/ spirit (aka God) and this goes beyond any institution, including us.
It’s about being a motivational catalyst in areas of spiritual and political community. It’s about lifestyle. It’s about moving into action. It’s about getting things going, creating an infectious movement that seeks to change unfair power structures. It’s about modelling something new, to people disillusioned by institutional models of organised religion. Finally, it is about rekindling faith in the source and spirit energising our activism and in a mysterious way helping those with honest intent and determination.
