the world is ours, in spite of all
Hussein Mitha is a Glasgow-based educator and artist who came to Huntly in March 2022 for a six-month residency focused on climate justice and education. Hussein's practice often deals with class, racial capitalism, anti-imperialism radical education and contemporary art.
Hussein's project, the world is ours, in spite of all, considered education and the challenges of education in a time of climate emergency with an aim to cultivate an ethos of inspiration, cooperation, connection and solidarity to rise to those challenges.
Through workshops, new learning resources, gardening, and the formation of a new climate activist youth group, the artist explored how climate justice can be understood through and in Huntly as well as in a wider context, especially in solidarity with those facing the consequences of climate inaction in the global south.
The activist group, self-named The Huntly Climate Youth Warriors, worked with Hussein and various project partners to create new learning materials for young people following wide themes: The Sea, Land, Plants Colonialism, Imperialism, Class, Gender/Queer Ecologies. Inspired by the Fridays for Future movement, the group of young people met fortnightly on Friday evenings in Square Deal where they spent time talking about the news, listening to podcasts, making banners, gardening, cooking, eating, reading and sharing resources, creating posters, hanging out and writing a manifesto which sets out eight statements and demands for our local and global futures. The manifesto, alongside some incredible banners painted with the help of Daily Huntly project artist Kevo Stero, was revealed in the town square on the day of the Huntly's annual Hairst (harvest) festival followed by a Huntly Climate Ceilidh to celebrate and share the group's amazing work.
Paradise Now! A Climate Justice Handbook for Young People
The learning resources created through this project are now available in the form of a zine: Paradise Now! A Climate Justice Handbook for Young People, edited by Hussein Mitha with contributions from Alison Scott; Anam Raheem; Emilia Beatriz, Fen Gabrysch, Heather Macdonald and Timespan Youth Club International; The Huntly Youth Climate Warriors; Jade Montserrat; Joycelyn Longdon; Lola Olufemi; Rachel Walker; Rob Bidder; Sakiya and Those Who Possess Dirt.
Intended to be used by young people, climate activists and educators, it contains worksheets, activities, comic strips, artworks, manifestos, oral histories, discussions, social media ephemera and other experiments in climate justice activism. It is intended to give space for sparking the imagination and forging the bonds of solidarity necessary if we are to transform our world and ourselves in the process. We have limited number of printed copies available. If you could use a physical copy - for example, you run a youth group, climate justice group, or teach - please get in touch with us at info@deveron-projects.com.
About the artist
Glasgow-based educator and artist Hussein Mitha came to Huntly in March 2022 for a seven-month residency focused on climate justice and education. Hussein's writing often deals with class, racial capitalism, anti-imperialism and contemporary art. Their art practice often involves working with colour and text in tandem through the form of vinyl sign-writing, decal-making and collaborative mural-making.