See Power.

Name it. Change it.

Seeing power as ‘nested systems’

The Power Lens tool offers a bird’s eye view of the different systems that make up civil society, and the way power flows through and between each of them.

Building out from individuals’ power to create change, it reveals how power is grown when we join forces with others.

It encourages us to reflect on the way power exists in obvious and hidden ways – between the different groups and organisations that make up civil society.

Finally, it reminds us that all of this occurs within the powerful structures and cultural assumptions of wider society.

Using the Power Lens to see power in your work

Power plays out in different ways in different situations. These activities will help you see how power is at play in your own work.

Take time to reflect on how power enables or constrains solidarity with people with first-hand experience of social issues in your work for social change.

Individual Power

Individual Power

See more clearly your own power to contribute to deeper solidarity for social change.

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Collective Power

Collective Power

See how power operates in groups in visible, hidden and invisible ways.

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Civil Society’s Power

Civil Society’s Power

Map how different actors in your network enable or constrain your efforts to achieve solidarity.

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Societal Power

Societal Power

See how powerful structures and dominant cultural norms affect you.

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