Do you care about what's going on with politics, but research is dull, confusing or overwhelming? Well, we've got it sorted!

Sunderland Left Alliance started last year to organise more political campaigning in Sunderland with a focus on education. We hear so often from friends, colleagues, and comrades that they don't understand how politics works. They know themselves and the values they live by, but how does that translate into knowing what party to join, what campaign is the most urgent, or how to articulately argue their point?

From September, we are delivering monthly sessions called Politics 101 that cover the fundamentals of our political system. These sessions aren’t aimed at convincing you of an ideology, but giving you the tools to understand the system we live under and how to make changes.

The structure of this ‘training course’ consists of one session on the monthly topic to deliver a politically neutral, informative workshop, followed by a follow-up session two weeks later to consider what it could look like if the ‘Left’ were in power.

First- How it IS

Second- How it COULD be

September 21st: Understanding Power

October 12th & 26th: Local Government & Services

November 9th & 23rd: Local Democracy & Elections

December 14th: Regional Devolution

January 11th & 25th: Parliament, Government and the State

February 8th & 22nd: Elections and Political Parties

March 15th & 22nd: Economics and Power

April 12th & 26th: Media, Information and Opinion

May 10th & 24th: Hidden Power (think tanks, donors, etc.)

June 14th & 28th: Campaigns, Movements and Collective Action

July: Final student presentation session

You don't have to be in any political party or organisation; you don't even have to know you're on the Left. We believe everyone should have access to how our system works, which is why these are separated into two sessions.

You don't have to do the full course, although it's recommended, and please let us know if you're unable to attend, as spaces are limited!

More information is coming soon <3

Description supplied by the event organiser.