Power Up training weekend hosted by Friends of the Earth 1-3 July 2011

Learn about Localism and how to campaign

Friday 6pm - Sunday 4pm

Details: www.foe.co.uk/news/power_up_27151.html

Power Up returns to share our knowledge and understanding about environmental justice, rights and the planning system.

Power Up is a unique training weekend designed to help you get the knowledge, confidence and contacts to use the legal and planning system to make a difference where you live.

Power up will leave you feeling inspired and energised - ready to apply new skills to your local issues

Who is Power Up for?

You don't have to be an expert - whether you're already involved in a local campaign or completely new to campaigning. Just as long as you're interested in making your area a fairer, cleaner and healthier place - then Power Up is for you.

How will Power Up help you and your community?

Power Up will give you:

· Campaign knowledge and practical tools to share with your community.

· The confidence to speak up and get involved in making decisions.

This is particularly important because of the Government's proposed changed to the planning system in the Localism Bill.

Where: Queen Mary and Westfield University, Tower Hamlets

Cost: all places are subsidised by Friends of the Earth. FoE asks for a contribution to help cover accommodation and meals for the weekend.

Full residential place £75. (Free concessionary places are available for unwaged: Unemployed/ Students/ Pensioners)

Meeting Tonight Wednesday 1st June 2011

7.15pm - 8.45pm, Stamford Hill Library
Planning, the law and your right to have a say about your environment
A joint event by Hackney Unites and Friends of the Earth
Open to everyone

Friends of the Earth runs training on planning, the law and campaigning to support community groups working to have their voice heard on decisions made about developments - from housing to supermarkets, from airports to food growing spaces. Everyone has the right to live in a fair, clean and healthy place. We believe the ‘Environment’ isn’t separate from us, but it is where we live, where we work, where our children play.

In Hackney planning policy, regulation and enforcement has at times been a divisive issue.

This session is focussed on empowering residents so that they can have their voice heard. This event, run by Friends of the Earth and Hackney unites, will be a small taster of the training and resources offered by Friends of the Earth’s Rights and Justice team. It is also part of Hackney Unites on-going strategy of bringing experts and residents together to provide relevant training that allows our communities to get their voices heard. Whether it is the controversial proposals for areas of exception, or the wholesale redevelopment of estates, residents’ views and needs have too often been ignored and marginalised.

Come and:
* Share your experiences getting involved in decision making in the borough
* Get an introduction to what your rights are in this area and why they matter
* Here about changes proposed to the way planning decisions are made in the Localism bill and how to get involved in campaigning for better rights to participate
* Find out about resources available to help you work on environmental issues you care about