A historical understanding of discourses and movements is a critical aspect of strengthening one’s activism. It is important to look at histories, especially histories that may not be located in our fields of work, that happen in different places and impact each other. As activists and advocates, we need to learn from history because it makes our activism more informed, more analytical, more intersectional. Geetanjali Misra, Executive Director – Global

CREA events offer rare and much-needed spaces for social movement activists to gather together around common goals, strategies, and alliance building. Whatever its shape or form — conference, convening or reThink evening — a CREA event always prioritizes the participation, voices and perspectives of activists and advocates in the Global South.

The topics, issues and themes addressed at CREA events are chosen and informed by the socio-political environment at the global and national levels — especially rising fundamentalisms, authoritarianism and corporatization — that profoundly impact gender, sexuality and rights and the social movements that advance them.

Because CREA partners with South-based organizations as well as global entities, each event emphasizes learning across contexts and strategizing to address shared challenges. The inclusion of researchers, lawyers, scholars, donors, artists, filmmakers and cultural critics alongside activists helps bridge the theory-practice divide and infuse social movements with fresh thinking.