The Uplands was thrilled to host fourteen representatives of various organizations working to protect the rights of women workers last month. The participants were convened as key grantees in the US by the Oak Foundation and its US partner, Worker Justice and Dignity Fund.

The strategic meeting opened with participants introducing themselves and their organizations and reviewing the work that they had set out to advance together. After a nourishing meal and a sound bath, they rested and prepared themselves for the coming day’s work.

Their first full day started off with a yoga class followed by a creative visioning practice in the art studio. After breath work for grounding, free drawing and group reflection, a common vision for the future emerged, which was then depicted in a collective mural and other forms of artwork. A well-deserved lunch break was then followed by a strategy session where participants, both in plenary and in break-out groups, assessed the evolving context and reaffirmed a shared commitment to gender, migrant, economic, and racial justice, and to an intersectional approach to that work.

On the final day, the group was led through a brief nervous system self-regulation practice by an Uplands co-founder. After a hearty breakfast, they reconvened for a last session of reflection and debrief on the previous day’s work, and discussion about the way forward.

Participants departed The Uplands with deeper connections amongst each other, a shared vision for their work forward and a renewed sense of wellness and spaciousness as the work was processed, which will accompany them as they work to defend human rights in the workplace.