By Samah Elous
As I sit down to write this, I’m filled with deep gratitude, humility, and joy, reflecting on what has truly been an unforgettable journey across Europe–35 events, nearly 1,800 participants, 11 interviews, and countless moments of hope and solidarity. It was a privilege to accompany Marshall Ganz on the European book tour for his latest work, People, Power, and Change: Organizing for Democratic Renewal.
Traveling alongside Marshall was more than professional; it was profoundly personal. Being part of the community organizing space has changed my life. And in this time of great uncertainty in the world, seeing Marshall reconnect with the seeds of learning, hope, and leadership enabled across generations was deeply humbling. Each room, each face, each moment reminded me that organizing is not only about action, it is about listening, imagining, and belonging.
In Venice, Amandine Lepoutre and the inspiring Art for Action team welcomed us with care, brilliance, and vision. Their work links human rights with art, not just to mirror reality, but to reshape it. Alongside partners like The Human Safety Net, we witnessed artistic activism at its best, building community, fostering creative resistance, and launching the Parliament of the Invisibles, a platform to elevate the leadership of those too often left unseen. It was a beautiful reminder of how storytelling, art, and organizing are deeply connected.
In London, Kathryn Perera, Stephanie Wong, Ashraf Hamzah, Jack Madden, and James Croft brought this extraordinary chapter to life. With them, and in partnership with The King’s Fund, Act Build Change, the New Economics Foundation, Shelter, Homerton College, and the AKO Institute, we curated a transformative program. We held events with organizers, students, Labour Party MPs, met NGO leaders and funders, and engaged in eight days filled with vibrant discussions, heartfelt storytelling, and deep inquiry into what it means to build power and change through community.
In Copenhagen, Lotus Danst, Stine Skot, Rune Baastrup, Søren Warburg, and Maja Bech Gregersen held us in a space of grace, thoughtfulness, and deep connection. We shared three days of grounded conversation, vulnerability, and inspiration. We met organizers from ActionAid, Democracy X, and Denmark’s Trade Union Confederation (FH). Their reflections on democratic power and people-led change were powerful. A personal highlight for me was reuniting with our Swedish comrades, especially the Vision Labor Union delegation, who reminded us that organizing is a regional force, and solidarity travels well.
In Madrid, Emilia Aiello, Teresa Sorde Marti, Rocío Garcia Carrion, and Borja Santos were the heart behind every moment. From the flagship public presentation at Círculo de Bellas Artes, part of the acclaimed Los miércoles del Círculo y Le Grand Continent series, to deeply engaged student events at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), and IE University; our sessions were dynamic, heartfelt, and full of curiosity. We felt the pulse of a new generation rising. We met with activists from Sindicato de Inquilinas, Menos Lectivas, Entierro Digno, Universidad por Palestina, and Derechos Ecosociales. We gathered for intimate conversations with Harvard Kennedy School alumni and Acumen Fellows exploring public narrative and social leadership. Across every event, I felt Madrid’s mix of courage and clarity.
In Amsterdam, the final leg of our journey unfolded with a sense of grounded purpose, held with care and clarity by Job van Denassem, Lieke Smits, Tino Wallar, and Sandra Ball. Throughout our time together, there was a deep feeling of alignment between values, vision, and action. The events organized by the Lowlander Project, FNV union organizers, brought together hundreds of organizers and campaigners, offering a space not only for learning but for collective presence. In each exchange, whether singing together, listening, or sharing hard-earned lessons, we could feel the threads of a growing movement. In The Hague, we met with political leaders committed to democratic renewal and movement-building. We also spent time with civil society leaders and philanthropic partners, reflecting on the untapped potential of grassroots organizing in the Dutch context and what it would take to truly invest in it.
To each and every one of you, coordinators, hosts, volunteers, funders, facilitators, and participants, thank you. Your care, creativity, and commitment turned this journey into something so much more than a book tour. It became a living story of people, power, and change, an unfolding movement stitched together by trust, courage, and connection.
You made it possible for Marshall not only to teach, but to witness what his work has inspired. And for all of us to grow, stretch, reflect, and hope again.
What we built together is not ending here. It’s part of something bigger, a network of stories, relationships, and collective action that will continue to shape the future we are all fighting for.
If you’d like to continue the journey, we invite you to become a member of the Leading Change Network.
As a member, you’ll be part of a global community of organizers! Membership gives you access to:
- Exclusive access to programs to continue building and advancing your leadership skills
- Learning spaces to connect, reflect, and grow alongside others organizers working in diverse contexts
- Stories and case studies from organizing campaigns that are shifting power and building democracy
- Practical tools and resources to help teach and use the pedagogy in your work
Samah Elous
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