Aidan Ricketts
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  • Commentary
    • New year, a time to embrace the uncertainty of it all
    • We could be non-binary
    • Adaptive resilience vs safety paternalism
    • Left wing, right wing? What just happened to politics?
    • Covid, class and the addiction to certainty
    • Neoliberalism, the Life World and the Psychopathic Corporation
    • Democracy is about our bodies, not just our minds
    • What’s your motivation: is it yourself or the change you’re making?
    • Mind over matter: The world of abstraction is driving us to destruction
    • The real threats to our liberty and survival
    • Avoiding the abyss of conspiracy theories
    • The difference between a legal system and a fantasy novel
    • What’s a conspiracy and what’s just common garden variety corruption?
    • Unpredictability, humility and an emerging anthropandemic
    • The trilemma – climate change, economic collapse, and rising fascism
    • Happy New Normal for the decade ahead
    • Fires, liars and climate deniers
    • The race to the bottom in australian politics
    • Talking about lock-on devices – an article in ‘The Conversation’
    • The Ponzi scheme is teetering
    • Regenerative culture a key part of the blockade experience
    • Staying sane in the late Anthropocene
    • Extinction Rebellion
    • Major parties have failed on climate, it’s time to rebel.
    • Elections In The Late Anthropocene
    • It is the Greens that are defeating the Nats and it’s all about your preferences
    • Australia’s powerhouse of democracy and innovation is in the Northern Rivers
    • Is identity politics a problem for the left?
    • The climate emergency and the awful state of Australian politics
    • Liberty, freedom and civil rights? Do any of us understand these things anymore.
    • Democracy and rights under threat in corporate police state
    • The forest wars are back, time to mobilise
    • …more commentary
  • Workshops
    • Newkind Festival: Australia’s masterclass for social change
    • Earth laws & regional community environmentalism
    • Greens. Reboot. Future. A weekend of great speakers and big topics
    • Stop CSG Sydney – talk by Aidan Ricketts 25/07/14
    • …more workshops
  • News & Events
    • The lucky country is fast becoming a crime scene
    • Gas body fired up over methane leaks
    • Contaminated sites – CSG/LNG
    • Extreme coal in the UK
    • Activists efforts rewarded in Vanuatu
    • …more news & events
  • Media
    • A Flood of Emotions – Sydney Ideas Event
    • Participatory democracy in the COVID era – SCU podcast
    • Activism educator Aidan Ricketts explains how and why protests can be peaceful
    • Bob Brown Is Taking “Shocking” Anti-Protest Laws To The High Court
    • Anti protest laws could arrest nannas, seize tractors
    • “They blinked first”
    • Colin Barnett quick to protest against ‘activism degrees’ – The Australian, 16/10/2014
    • ‘Degrees in activism’ put brake on growth – The Australian, 15/10/2014
    • Magistrate throws out vexatious police case against CSG protesters
    • Outrage over school PR ‘by stealth’- The Northern Star
    • CSG clash a certainty
    • Communities use new tactics
    • Gas group attacks lecturer
    • …more media
  • Activist Resources
    • The Activists’ Handbook
    • The ‘How To Guide’ for declaring your community gasfield free
    • Direct Action and the CSG-Free Community Strategy: an activist training resource
    • Planning and Mapping your Campaign – a guide for local action groups
    • …more resources
  • Reviews
    • The Ecologist review
    • Resurgence review
    • Chain Reaction review
    • Plan to Win review

Newkind Festival: Australia’s masterclass for social change.

On January 16, 2020 · Leave a Comment · In Training workshops

Newkind is an annual social justice conference designed to inspire and empower participants to create positive social change in the world. Over 5 days in Marion Bay in Tasmania, we host discussion panels, lectures, workshops and skill development sessions focused on upskilling YOU to become a more effective and connected agent of change.

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Public Interest Advocacy ~ Summer Law School ~ 13-18 Dec, 2015 ~ Byron Bay

On September 3, 2015 · Leave a Comment · In Training workshops

Southern Cross University is proud to offer this ground breaking course in Public Interest Advocacy and social change activism as part of its innovative Byron Bay Summer Law School initiative.

This unique study offering is all about promoting participatory democracy and developing the skills for […]

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Earth laws & regional community environmentalism

On October 15, 2014 · Leave a Comment · In Training workshops

DATE: Thursday 23 October 2014, 1.30pm to 5pm

VENUE: Byron Community Centre, 69 Jonson Street, Byron Bay NSW

RSVP: by emailing – http://www.edonsw.org.au/earth_laws_and_regional_community_environmentalism-seminar

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Beyond the Ballot Box – FedTalks

On October 15, 2014 · Leave a Comment · In Training workshops

Is there a better way for democracy? Join Aidan Ricketts, democracy advocate Dr Kath Fisher & broadcaster Nyck Jeanes. Mon 20 Oct, 2014. Federal Hall.

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Greens. Reboot. Future. A weekend of great speakers and big topics.

On September 9, 2014 · Leave a Comment · In News & Events, Training workshops

Reboot is for anyone asking big questions about what’s wrong with our society and what we, together, can do about it. The Greens are excited to bring together great speakers and big topics and want you to join in. Help us maintain our grassroots democratic approach to social change and develop our principles of peace, sustainability and social justice.

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Stop CSG Sydney – talk by Aidan Ricketts

On July 25, 2014 · Leave a Comment · In Training workshops

Come and hear Aidan Ricketts, author of The Activists Handbook and spokesperson for Gasfield Free Northern Rivers, speak about the community struggle against Metgasco at Bentley (near Lismore).

Join a Q&A about the sort of strategy that forced the government to suspend Metgasco’s operations at Bentley and […]

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16 Nov 2013 – Bentley, NSW – NVDA Workshop

On November 15, 2013 · Leave a Comment · In News & Events, Training workshops

Aidan Ricketts is an experienced social and environmental activist as well as a prominent activism educator, academic and writer. Aidan has written for many academic journals and is author of “The Activists’ Handbook”. He is also a lecturer with the School of Law and Justice at Southern Cross University.

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Finding New Ways to Protect Our Local Ecosystems

On September 4, 2013 · Leave a Comment · In News & Events, Training workshops

This workshop offers a unique opportunity to hear from activists and lawyers, from Australia, the USA and Ecuador who are using new organising frameworks to successfully protect their natural and human communities.

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Study community activism this summer at Byron Bay – 2013

On August 29, 2013 · Leave a Comment · In News & Events, Training workshops

Southern Cross University is proud to offer this ground breaking course in Public Interest Advocacy and social change activism as part of its innovative Byron Bay Summer Law School initiative.

The unit “Public Interest Advocacy” is […]

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Action against Metgasco drilling at Glenugie, NSW

Stokers Siding Direct Action Workshop

On June 24, 2013 · Leave a Comment · In News & Events, Training workshops

When: Sat July 13th, 2013, 11.30am – 4pm
Where: Stokers Siding Community Hall
With: Aidan Ricketts (author of The Activists Handbook) & Simon Clough (Lismore Shire Councillor)

$10 / $5 concession – Bookings essential.
Book and pay online via bank transfer at

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Activist Workshop at Parliament House, Sydney

On April 9, 2013 · Leave a Comment · In Training workshops

Calling all campaigners and activists!
We are running a training day for anyone who wants to become more involved in their community as a non-violent active campaigner.
When: Thursday 11 April 2013 9am – 3:30pm
Where: NSW Parliament House Macquarie Street Sydney
Who: Campaigners from Lock the Gate, Rising Tide, Coalition Against Duck Shooting, anti pig-dogging groups
Cost: $12 to cover the cost of lunch
RSVP: emma.heyde@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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Aidan Ricketts is guest speaker at theAdelaide Activist Workshop 2013

Adelaide Activist Skillshare Workshop

On March 5, 2013 · 1 Comment · In News & Events, Training workshops

Join Aidan Ricketts and other skilled facilitators at the

Adelaide Activist Skillshare 2013
From Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th March
at Aldinga Beach Mini-Camp.

Training areas include:

Developing effective campaigns Practical campaign tools Strategic thinking Direct […]

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Woodford Folk Festival event featuring Aidan Ricketts

On November 29, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In News & Events, Training workshops

Take the journey from citizen to activist with ‘Activists Handbook’ author Aidan Ricketts. Join Aidan for one of his popular training presentations that have become a key part of building capacity for community resistance to CSG and coal mining.

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Bangalow training for non violent direct action against CSG

On November 29, 2012 · 1 Comment · In Training workshops

Bangalow training for CSG activists. Catholic Hall, Dec 8, 2012. 1-4pm

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Training for peaceful direct action training against CSG

On November 29, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In Training workshops

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