This is a student reflection on a Power Mapping workshop conducted with the Ivey DeGrowth Club & Change Course, a partner organization. Change Course is a national, youth-led non-profit that focuses on divestment from fossil fuels.
Reflections from an Ivey Degrowth Club Workshop
As an individual student facing larger organizations and systemic issues that have persisted for decades, it’s intimidating and disheartening. This often breeds a sense of apathy and quiet resignation in the face of seemingly insurmountable powers, even when the need for change is urgent. In classrooms, we’re not taught how to organize or challenge the status quo. Instead, the structures around us focus on optimizing for end users and building discounted cash flows to maximize shareholder value. Conversations about systemic change rarely make their way into these discussions, leaving gaps in our education about broader social and environmental responsibilities.
That’s why the Degrowth Club’s recent workshop with Celine from Change Course was so impactful. It equipped students with the perspectives, confidence, and resources needed to organize effectively and advocate for meaningful change. We learned about the historical power of student movements—how they played pivotal roles in driving divestment from South African apartheid, winning tuition freezes, and resisting fossil fuel influence on campuses.
Student groups have long been at the forefront of building communities and championing inclusivity, often pushing for transformation when no one else would. During the workshop, we explored the structural tactics of large organizations: how they use philanthropy and sponsorships to shield themselves from criticism, and how they rely on our "social license to operate." This illuminated the collective power we hold as students.
We also delved into practical tools like power mapping and campaign strategies, which help identify key stakeholders and design effective advocacy efforts. From understanding high-level governance to day-to-day operational strategies, the session provided a blueprint for organizing and mobilizing communities.
Not all conversations are easy to start in an Ivey classroom, but they are necessary. If we hope to inspire change and create a better future, we need spaces like Degrowth that educate and empower business leaders to turn their visions into action. Change begins with us—one conversation at a time.
Angela Wang
HBA1 Student, and HB1 Representative, Ivey Degrowth Club
About the Ivey Degrowth Club
Ivey Degrowth Club (IDC) is a collective of students challenging the 'growth mandate' taught at Ivey, questioning the environmental and social impacts of life under capitalism, and pushing for a systems change.
