From 2020-2021, Dialogue + Design Associates worked with the Highlander Center to develop and anchor a listening and assessment process to learn more about the values and principles embedded in just transition work throughout Central Appalachia. The report outlines a journey to unpack transition vs. transformation, to examine the values and principles underlying just transition efforts in the region, and to learn what opportunities exist to deepen the “justice” in the region’s work to not only transition our economies, lives, and communities away from harm, but to transform our economies, lives, and communities toward truly sustainable systems of care and collective liberation.
Highlander’s Beyond Transition report lifted questions like: How can we talk about a new economy in Appalachia without directly addressing and confronting the overt, organized white supremacy that plagues our region today —not just in the past?
The reports intention is to take these lessons and continue to build capacity and collaboration in the region to strengthen these muscles toward transformative justice.
Watch the video here: Beyond Transition: Appalachia’s Pathway to Justice and Transformation