• Date: 24/07/2026
• Time: 1pm GMT
• Duration: 2 hours

• Opening and Bandung recap
• Small group conversations
• Plenary share-back
• Follow-up on Bandung and current processes
• Closing

• This video has English audio channel: to enable it, press the to “three dots button” in the right side of the video bottom bar and pick the channel in the option “Audio channels”¹⁾

Coordination Team: Vasna, Raquel, Sizaltina, Joy, Mauricio and Bea

The Assembly was held with simultaneous interpretation in English and Spanish throughout the meeting.

The Bandung Narrative Report and the Bandung Declaration (English and Spanish) were shared with participants at the beginning of the Assembly.

Participants: Amanda, Ecofinca, Melina, maria campo, Pascuala, Bablu, Carlos, Deissy, Halwest, Alex, Ashihs, Mauricio, Pup, Vera, Seavmey, Vasna, Matt, Shailendra, Yuli, Manali, Sehjo, Shail, Sutej Hugu, Xochitl, Elba, Lina, Patricia, Profe Juan, Tania, Thamara, Raquel, Friederike, Joy, Natalia, Steven, Miguel, Lubna, Jane, Simon Mitambo, Simon Ticehurts, Bea.

Interpreters: José María and Vicky

The Assembly opened with welcoming remarks, framing the meeting as the first GTAGlobal Tapestry of Alternatives Virtual Assembly since the Bandung Assembly held in Indonesia. Participants were invited to reconnect after the Assembly and continue weaving the collective process.

A brief recap of the Bandung Assembly was then presented, accompanied by photographs and visual documentation highlighting key moments, collective processes and the diversity of participation throughout the gathering.

Carlos introduced the Bandung Declaration, explaining that it had been collectively drafted during the Assembly, is currently available in English, Spanish and Kurdish, and will continue being translated into other languages. The Declaration was presented as one of the main political outcomes of the Bandung Assembly.

The session concluded with a presentation of the Bandung Declaration and a summary of its main outcomes, emphasizing the collective agreements reached during the Assembly and the directions proposed for the coming period.

Participants were then divided into small breakout groups to exchange updates on the alternatives they are currently building in their territories and organizations, and to reflect on the connections that continue to weave the Global TapestryThe weaving of networks of Alternatives of AlternativesAre activities and initiatives, concepts, worldviews, or action proposals by collectives, groups, organizations, communities, or social movements challenging and replacing the dominant system that perpetuates inequality, exploitation, and unsustainabiity. In the GTA we focus primarily on what we call "radical or transformative alternatives", which we define as initiatives that are attempting to break with the dominant system and take paths towards direct and radical forms of political and economic democracy, localised self-reliance, social justice and equity, cultural and knowledge diversity, and ecological resilience. Their locus is neither the State nor the capitalist economy. They are advancing in the process of dismantling most forms of hierarchies, assuming the principles of sufficiency, autonomy, non-violence, justice and equality, solidarity, and the caring of life and the Earth. They do this in an integral way, not limited to a single aspect of life. Although such initiatives may have some kind of link with capitalist markets and the State, they prioritize their autonomy to avoid significant dependency on them and tend to reduce, as much as possible, any relationship with them. together.

Each group identified key ideas, values and practices emerging from their conversations. One participant from each group was invited to report back during the plenary, highlighting the common threads that connect the diverse experiences shared across territories.

Each group was invited to identify one or more key words or common elements emerging from their conversations that expressed what continues to weave together the GTA despite the diversity of territories and struggles.

Raquel: Across all seven groups, participants identified several common threads connecting their struggles, including resistance to authoritarianism and extractivism, community self-organization, care, territorial defense, youth participation, transformative education, solidarity, intergenerational learning, ecological relationships, and the importance of building alternatives rooted in local realities while strengthening global alliances.

Amanda summarized the discussion, highlighting the joy of reconnecting after Bandung, the political and environmental challenges shared by participants from Colombia, and youth organizing through GYBN. Those working there enjoy a positive atmosphere, but the women from Colombia are in a very difficult situation.

Key points:

• Joy of reconnecting after Bandung.
• Political and environmental challenges in Colombia.
• Youth organizing through GYBN.

Deissy: It's incredible to see how connections can be built with people from other places in just 30 minutes. Lubna shared what resistance looks like in war zones. Bablu is working with women involved in ecology. Carlos discussed how the Mexican government is pushing forward with violent projects that threaten the land and communities, who are resisting these megaprojects. One of the key words is connection and resistance. Halwest shared how the Kurds in Syria are connecting through ecological resistance and resisting Israeli attacks. Lubna is also working in India.

Key points:

• Resistance in conflict territories (India, Syria, Mexico).
• Connection and resistance as shared themes.

Alex: We shared how one way to resist is by finding funding, and how that's becoming increasingly difficult, something we need to consider collectively. It's also an opportunity to become more self-sufficient, less dependent on external funding. This is something we should discuss in terms of solidarity within GTA. Another topic is youth movements, like the Cockroach Party in India, which is occupying the streets. Mauricio shared about the water crisis in Mexico and taking legal action against governors, even though it's risky, as exemplified by the recent murder of a reporter in Oaxaca. Ashish suggested that we should have more dialogue with these Gen Z movements that are emerging in various places.

Key points:

• Financial sustainability.
• Youth movements.
• Community legal struggles.

Matt: How people are responding to building safer spaces through collective support. What's being done in the community, whether in the North or the South, creating alternatives. The key words would be being mindful of how we care for each other and being attentive to our local spaces and supporting them.

Key points:

• Building safer spaces.
• Mutual care.
• Community alternatives.

Shail: Sehjo shared her involvement with grassroots movements and how students are addressing the climate crisis, highlighting the importance of sharing VSVikalp Sangam (India) and GTA's work with youth to support them. Manali shared the work of Global Alliance and its collaboration with GTA, though she acknowledged there is still much work to be done. The work in Nepal with alternative movements and the Sanganés movement was also discussed. It is also necessary to work with these movements to ensure safe interspecies spaces. Pluriversal autonomous spaces were also shared. Knowledge and resistance created with other species. Inclusion of a broader understanding of ourselves and our resistances and crises.

Key points:

• Youth engagement.
• Pluriversal and interspecies perspectives.
• Knowledge rooted in resistance.

Patricia: We speak from different territories in Mexico and Colombia. We narrate what each of us is doing to weave ourselves together. In a context of war and neo-fascism in Colombia, along the rivers, amidst megaprojects and wars against the people and the land. Many struggles in defense of territories. The key words would be weaving ourselves into the warp, in the processes of the universities of the land, and how people are building alternatives, and how learning activities are generated from praxis and communal actions and creativities.

Key points:

• Territorial defense.
• Universities of the land.
• Learning through praxis.

Joy: Steven from the US spoke about the fascist regime and the processes of socialist resistance. The discussion also touched on how to think about transformative education. Natalia from Colombia shared the entire resistance process as an encounter. Raquel shared about the Philippines and the community-led development of the concept of Alternative Security process through peace sanctuaries, a process for thinking beyond the state-provided security, and also how MASSAMovement for Alternatives and Solidarity in Southeast Asia (South East Asia) is creating a school for activists and alternatives that weaves efforts across countries and regions. There was also a discussion from Germany about how political alternatives are being built through new networks and alliances that resist the economy as it is now . From India, there was also a discussion about youth movements and how to radicalize alternatives, with which VS expressed solidarity. Keywords: education for transformation, youth mobilization, and new alliances.

Key points:

• Transformative education.
• Youth mobilization.
• Building new alliances.

During the plenary, Raquel highlighted that despite the diversity of territories represented, similar themes emerged across all seven groups, including resistance to authoritarianism and extractivism, territorial defense, community self-organization, mutual care, transformative education, youth participation, intergenerational learning, ecological relationships and the importance of strengthening global alliances rooted in local realities.

Vasna emphasized that Bandung generated many new working processes that now require broader participation and collective support. She encouraged participants not only to join existing Working and Thematic Groups, but also to strengthen connections across the GTA network and support ongoing initiatives.

There were people here who weren't in Indonesia but were in Kenya, and the important thing is to discuss how to move forward. Vasna presented the post-Bandung summary of responsibilities, highlighting the need for more people to get involved, but also to support existing spaces.

Vasna asked some people who could share from the TG and WG:

Radical Democracy

Ashish shared that in the Radical Democracy (RD), an important forum is being created: a quarterly assembly of those who attended the RD meetings. A Latin American meeting and a longer gathering are planned for 2027. Documentation is also being produced, and last week a discussion on the meaning of RD was published. The most important thing is what is happening in the connections between various groups.

Ashish emphasized that beyond the meetings themselves, the most significant development has been the strengthening of relationships and connections emerging between different movements participating in the process.

Document shared: https://evo.re/rd-faq - Radical Democracy and Autonomy: What Do We Mean?

Solidarity Economy

Halwest shared his work with the Solidarity Economy group, where they are trying to reconnect with different groups. They are also working on the concept of solidarity economy for a dictionary of alternatives. publish a periodical dedicated to solidarity economy. Furthermore, they are planning to participate in the next Economic Forum in Cairo in 2027 to strengthen networks with the GTA.

Expression of Interest and meeting notes:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10vHW6ebEHVrB-tPx6i3F9T8v1pmJd1zb3sx19igKMZI

Energy

Carlos: In the energy working group, they've had discussions with academics and have also tried to gather experiences and workshops from people who connect alternative energy sources with the local area. The group hopes to compile these experiences into a future report or publication.

Learning & Education

Vasna shared that the Learning and Education group met during the first part of the year and there were two GTA periodic meetings. There were also many discussions about education in Bandung, and Raquel and Xochitl will resume coordinating that group to give it new energy and will be contacting the group.

Xochitl mentioned that the information provided by Vasna and Franco, who coordinated that group, was very important, and that the group also aims to strengthen relationships between grassroots workers and endorsers.

Raquel mentioned that there's still a need to understand what's been done before and also to think about how to further develop what's been heard today. All of this needs to be integrated and made more substantial.

New participants interested in joining the TG were invited to contact: xls1994@gmail.com spell.raquel@gmail.com

Interweaving WG

Vasna: I should mention that a new Working Group has been created that focuses on interweaving between groups, endorsers, and weavers. There will also be initiatives moving forward in Kenya and Southeast Asia this year.

Urban/Settlement Alternatives

Shail: We are still in the initial communication phase in urban/ settlement alternatives work, and we don’t have specific update yet.

Interested participants can contact Shail directly (WhatsApp: +9779852056491).

Water

Joy: The first meeting of the water group has already taken place. The conversation focused on our relationship with water, water alternatives, and why it's important to build alternative relationships with water. We decided to meet once every three months. A broader meeting will be convened in the coming months.

Contact: water.agua.gta@gmail.com

Food & Agriculture

Shailendra: an agriculture group met for the first time and discussed how industrial agriculture is built and how that affects food security. It's important to have spaces for regeneration. They will work on the principles they want to work on in the future and how to share methodologies and work. They will continue working on these aspects.

Mother Earth and Youth

Melina has been in conversation with Mark about organizing the next steps of the group with Sandra. The youth group will also be keeping an eye out for ways to contact the GTA.

Vasna concluded by emphasizing that the Assembly should continue serving as a space for maintaining connections among participants, strengthening collaboration across groups, supporting ongoing initiatives, and welcoming anyone interested in becoming involved in the different GTA processes.

• Dictionary of Radical Alternatives: https://dictionaryofradicalalternatives.org/Main\_Page
• GTA AltMap: https://map.globaltapestryofalternatives.org/Index
• Encuentro Defensa de la Vida: https://encuentrodefensavida.jkopkutik.org/ / English version: https://encuentrodefensavida.jkopkutik.org/en/
• MODEVITE: https://modevite.com/ / Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MODEVITE/
• Radical Democracy and Autonomy: What Do We Mean?https://evo.re/rd-faq

• WTO & IMF Forum (Bangkok, October 2026), shared by Pup.
• Next Economies Forum (several GTA organizations will participate).
• World Social Forum (participants invited to connect informally).

Joy help us to close this session with some agreements and thoughts. In the final reflections, participants emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen relationships, communication and collaboration across territories while welcoming new people into the GTA's thematic and working groups.

• Vasna and Bea will prepare and circulate a simple table with all Thematic Groups and Working Groups, including focal points and contact information.
• Meeting notes will include all relevant links and contact information shared during the Assembly.
• Working Groups and Thematic Groups are encouraged to continue inviting new participants and strengthening participation across the network.
• The Facilitation Team will explore providing interpretation support for Thematic Group meetings when needed. Please contact Bea: beatriz.vsaenger@gmail.com
• Information about Thematic Groups and Working Groups will be included in the upcoming GTA periodical.
• The Assembly Working Group will discuss and propose the frequency of future Virtual General Assemblies.
• An informal online gathering will be organized on 2 September to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the proposal to establish the GTA.
• Participants are encouraged to share proposals for future interweaving activities, dialogues and exchanges with the Facilitation Team.

• Shail will develop a communication plan for the Urban Settlements Alternatives Thematic Group and share updates at the next Virtual Assembly.
• Shail will coordinate with Bea and/or the Facilitation Team regarding language and interpretation support for the Urban Settlements Alternatives Thematic Group.
• Joy and Mauricio will continue coordinating the Water Thematic Group, prepare a short write-up following the 8 July meeting, and circulate it to invite broader participation.
• Shailendra, Maria Campo and Mauricio will finalize and circulate a note outlining the Food and Agriculture Thematic Group's principles, methodology and shared experiences.
• Mark and Sandra will continue developing the Nature, Biodiversity and Healing Mother Earth Thematic Group and share progress at the next Assembly.
• Mark, Ryan and Sandra will continue advancing the Youth Assembly process and provide updates at the next Virtual Assembly.
• Sastro, Raquel and Lubna will convene an initial meeting to begin the Network Weaving Working Group.
• Participants interested in joining existing Thematic Groups and Working Groups will contact the respective coordinators and become involved in ongoing activities.
• Manali will gauge interest in creating a space on arts, emotions and expression and continue the conversation with Vasna for a possible future Assembly session.
• Participants attending upcoming events (including the World Social Forum, the Next Economies Forum, and the WTO/IMF meetings in Bangkok) are encouraged to connect with other GTA weavers and endorsers to strengthen collaboration.

A proposal was also raised to explore an Arts, Emotions and Expression space within the GTA, with interest to continue the conversation for a future Assembly.

Participants highlighted the importance of continuing to strengthen relationships, communication and collaboration across territories, while welcoming new people into the different GTA thematic and working groups.