The International Alliance for Localization (IAL) is a cross-cultural network of thinkers, activists and NGOs dedicated to exploring radically new visions of development and progress.
We established the IAL as part of our work to build a localization movement powerful enough to turn the global tide. The IAL unites diverse groups and individuals in both North and South — from business leaders and labor unions to farmers, social justice activists and environmentalists — who share a common vision of localization as a powerful solution multiplier. Over 900 people and groups from 58 different countries have joined the IAL to date.
Voices from the IAL Video Project
For our latest IAL project, we’re inviting IAL members to each send us a short, simple 2-minute video explaining why you think ‘local’ is important and what it means to you.
If you’d like to participate, first make sure you’re an IAL member.
We are collecting video submissions now, and look forward to seeing yours!
Introduction to the IAL
The core values and activities of the IAL are founded on a “big picture analysis” of economic globalization and localization. We believe that effective action to localize our economies comes from working on two complementary fronts—Resistance and Renewal.
We resist further destruction of our communities and the natural world by mitigating the negative consequences of economic globalization. Actions of resistance include increasing “economic literacy” through public raising awareness, critical trade analysis and key protests.
We simultaneously can renew our connections to each other and the environment through localization. This means encouraging the regeneration of healthy local economies, communities and ecosystems through grassroots and policy-level initiatives.
The infographic below shows just a few of the multi-faceted benefits of localization.
Localization: the Solution-Multiplier
To learn more about the IAL, we’ve set up a introductory brochure, which has also been translated into nine other languages, including German, French and Italian (see translated versions below).
Benefits of being an IAL member
As an IAL member you will be able to engage in communication with other like-minded members around the world and inform yourself about key policy issues and campaigns through the moderated IAL listserv and private Facebook group. Through these online communication fora, you can also ask for advice, share relevant campaigns, actions, strategies and materials, and gain access to a wide range of resources and experiences.
From time to time, we also run collaborative IAL projects. Our current project is the Voices from the IAL video series, for which we invite you to create your own video. Future projects may include webinars, reading groups, collaborative writing, events and other multimedia and in-person initiatives.
Joining the IAL is possible as an individual or an organization. Read more about how to get the most out of using the listserv here.
Further Resources
To learn more about localization, we have many resources on this website, available for free and for purchase. We recommend watching two short films for a quick primer on the basics of localization: ‘Localization: for People and the Earth‘ (also available with French subtitles) and the animation ‘Going Local: the solution-multiplier‘, which can be viewed here. To dive deeper into the importance of localization, read also our Localization Learning Guide.
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