ECOAR))) is an acronym for Space for Couter(discourse), Construction, and Coordination of Alternatives and Social Response [Espacio de (Contra)discurso, Construción, y Coordinación de Alternativas y Respuesta Social]
ECOAR))) is a tool of an independient nature that relies on direct action, public pressure, awarenes and solidarity, in order to build a global system based on justicie, ethics and dignity, from the following basic points:
Basic Points
Methodological Points
ECOAR))) is a space of a global nature with people who are coordinated, build and operate, from the local to the international:
- to address the injustices and global problems related to human rights and the environment.
- to enable citizens to act effectively and efficiently on the basis of analysis, planning and strategy.
ECOAR))) is divided into 5 large groups (Action, Communication, (Counter) discourse, ICT and Management) coordinated in the General Assembly. Each of the groups is made up of specific areas and teams.
Governments have revealed themselves to be instruments of what they call “markets”, but these are actually big well-known transnational and financial companies.
We condemn and reject the deception they cast on the citizenship, presenting social cutbacks as the only possible exit from the crisis, through the loss of rights and liberties. People and groups throughout the world show that there are alternatives to get out of this crisis and that other paths are possible and necessary.
The protests which have spread across the planet since the spring of 2011 have served as a social stimulus in the face of the imposed situation; an encouraging movement that we should neither forget nor let disappear.
We stress not only the threats on our economies, but also on “democracy” itself: less than 1% of the population decides the present and the future of the other 99%.
As a community formed by citizens, our basic objectives are: diagnosing reality from diversity, defining and offering alternatives; mobilizing and encouraging specific actions and initiatives to fight for human rights, dignity of workers, ethical consumerism, environmentalism, interculturalism, gender equality, etc…; always walking towards a fair social system.
We call to the union of people and social groups in order to pose a united and caring response to the capitalist crisis in motion.
DEMOCRACY AGAINST “MARKETS”
MOBILIZE + COME TOGETHER + BUILD
THINK – ACT – ORGANISE
2001-2011: INTERTWINING AN IDEA
People in the social and political field reflect on the usefulness, effectiveness and efficiency of the tools, structures and repertoire that are available to tackle the various problems, as well as on causes, consequences and needs.
The idea of generating a structure of free character and solidarity that serves to advise organizations technically to improve their efficiency and effectiveness, emerges thusly.
2011 – 2012: GENERATING A DYNAMIC LOCAL NETWORK
The spring of 2011 sees a global society with a willingness to organize but lacking efficient and effective channeling tools and initiatives. Contacts are initiated to see the possibility of building a social tool, where they coalesce and coordinate opposite to the policies of social cuts in Vigo and region. And on November 19, 2011 the idea is presented.
03/17/12: Vigo Platform (name that the tool has at that moment) begins its journey as a meeting space where the different organizations integrated in it can intercommunicate and coordinate.
2012 – 2013: CREATING A LOCAL SPACE-TOOL WITH GLOBAL VOCATION
The rapid incorporation of organizations and activists to the Vigo Platform leads to bet on generating a new, more complex, structure.
03/21/13: ECOAR))) is born, Space for (Counter) discourse Construction and Coordination of Alternatives and Social Response. A space-tool that seeks to serve for coordinating and structuring alternatives and social response in Vigo and region; As well as to connect Vigo with other localities and impulses of other zones of the planet.
A process of dissemination to other localities is started. It begins to participate in the organization and coordination of mobilizations, as well as in the advice to other groups and activists.
2013 – 2014: BUILDING A HIGHLY SPECIALIZED STRUCTURE
The increase in workload as well as the complexity of tasks lead to transform ECOAR))) into an unpaid professional structure. This leads to a deep modification of work dynamics as well as the profile of the group. New areas, tools and needs appear, as well as a new body that launches its presence in global coordination spaces.
2nd Semester 2014: TRANSFORMATION OF ECOAR))) INTO A GLOBAL SPACE-TOOL
One last step is taken in the conformation of the base identity and it becomes a space-tool of a global character that no longer has its epicenter in Vigo and Galicia. ECOAR))) happens to be a structure that has actions, activists and groups in and from any part of the planet.
2015 – Today: CONSTRUCTION OF THE BASIC STRUCTURE OF ECOAR))) GLOBAL
From January 1, 2015, a stage began in which to endow ECOAR))) of the necessary structure to face the new situation. It begins to operate in different parts of the planet, complex tools and dynamics are designed and built, as well as activists from different corners of the world begin to integrate.
