Women's Institute for Social Transformation (WIST)

A project of the U.S. Grail

The Women’s Institute for Social Transformation engages in popular education to train, support and collaborate with women working for social change locally and globally.

To carry out its mission, the Institute:

• Creates and facilitates workshops and seminars that are learner-centered, problem-posing and action-producing
  
  
• Provides support for ongoing personal growth and skill building for leadership development
  
  
• Works to deepen critical analysis of race, gender and socio-economic issues
  
  
• Explores the relationship between spirituality and the work for justice
  
  
• Collaborates with individuals and organizations committed to social transformation in the areas of religious diversity, economic justice, environmental sustainability, peace and non-violence.
  
  

What is popular education?

Popular Education is an approach to adult education that values the lived experience of ordinary people and stimulates a process of action/reflection that leads to consciousness-raising and developing critical analysis.

Inspired by the work of Brazilian educator and social activist, Paulo Freire, the principles of popular education have become an intrinsic part of organizing and education methodologies committed to social justice.

Through popular education individuals and groups

• co-create in the process of learning
  
  
• discover their own questions
  
  
• identify the root causes of the issues they are facing
  
  
• take action to address identified problems
  
  

Popular education is a holistic methodology that supports each individual’s participation and contribution, embracing and validating people’s emotions, actions, intellect and creativity.

Our programs support women of any ethnicity, class, age and education, who are working locally and globally to create a world of justice and peace.

Address:
Women’s Institute for Social Transformation
PO Box 475
Cornwall-on-Hudson NY, 12520
Phone: (845) 534-2031
Fax: (845) 534-1237
E-mail: WIST@grail-us.org