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Care is the bedrock
of crisis response.
Feminist activists are
critical first responders
to crises of all kinds.
The most effective
response to crisis
is care.
The Urgent Action Sister Funds
host the 2025 Global Convening
on Crisis & Care in Brazil
12 May – 15 May 2025
Join over 300 activists, healers, artists and funders at our Global Convening!
About the Convening
The Global Convening On Crisis and Care brings together critical stake-holders to build solidarity around an intersectional feminist approach to crisis response that centers collective care as a liberatory strategy and necessary anchor for crisis response.
This vibrant and diverse gathering will foreground the deep insights feminist movements bring to this work, highlight learnings from effective crisis response across regions and demonstrate how collective care supports the long-term sustainability of activists, movements, and communities amidst an onslaught of crises. In addition to the activists-only space, there is a curated dialogue for activists and donors together. The Convening is co-created with an activist advisory team and input from activist and donor participants.
Why Now?
We live in a world of complex, transnational, and intersecting crises: both acute crises such as conflict or environmental disasters and entrenched crises like closing civic space, authoritarianism, and the climate crisis. Activists and movements constantly contend with overlapping and interwoven crises that deepen existing structural harms and inequities. Feminist movements in particular have deep learnings to share about how they have long navigated and responded to crisis after crisis, always prioritizing communities not being reached by mainstream support.
Why Care?
This Global Convening centers care alongside crisis because the Urgent Action Funds have learned from feminist movements that collective care is a necessity when confronting a crisis. It is particularly needed in this time of constant crisis because it supports sustainability and resilience of movements and communities over time. Further, collective care and protection are inseparable: without collective care, the protection of human rights defenders is neither sustainable nor effective. We will ground the convening in collective care practices to highlight how critical care is to effective crisis response and to support the holistic wellbeing of participants.
Global Convening Objectives
The Global Convening has five objectives that highlight solidarity, preparedness for future crises, and shifting narratives on crisis response to center collective care and focus on the key role of feminist activists, organizations, and movements.
- Deepen transnational connections
Connect feminist activists and movements transnationally to analyze responses to crises across contexts, share and discuss what is working or not working, and strengthen cross-movement solidarity.
- Center collective care
Illustrate how and why care is and must be the bedrock of crisis response.
- Uplift feminist crisis response strategies
Demonstrate how feminist activists are leading community action and response to crises.
- Strengthen crisis preparedness
Highlight trends of the most effective crisis response to inform preparedness for future crises.
- Shift philanthropic narratives on crisis response
Make the case for centering care in crisis response and resourcing feminist and human rights movements as critical crisis responders.
Who will be there?
Activists and human rights defenders:
200+ activists, artists and healers from over 120 countries.
Donors, funders, multilateral institutions:
About 75 representatives from donor institutions (bilateral agencies, foundations, feminist funds, donor affinity groups), multilateral agencies, and INGOs.
Urgent Action Sister Funds Publications on Crisis And Collective Care
Urgent Action Funds’ Strategic Framework on Crisis & Care
Feminist Resistance & Resilience: Reflections on Closing Civic Space
What’s the Point of Revolution if We Can’t Dance?
How can we ground ourselves in care and dance the revolution?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why Brazil?
A: The Sister Funds work globally, and we aim to have meetings and conferences in different regions. After thorough consideration, especially given the openness of different countries to participants with various passports and visas, we decided on Brazil. We also chose a location where our participants would feel secure and safe. However, like any country context, there are potential safety and security concerns that may impact the convening and participants. We have done a comprehensive risk analysis and will take measures to mitigate any possible safety risk to participants before, during, and after the event. We also welcome participants’ knowledge and feedback on this, particularly on how to make it safer for you. We work with a group of local and regional activists to ensure a safe meeting for all and we are additionally consulting with local safety and security experts.
Q: Is this a personal invitation, or is it for the organization I am part of?
A: This invitation is directed to you personally to recognize your critical work. We have carefully drafted a list of participants to ensure inclusion, diversity, and relevance of experience to the purpose of the Convening. For these reasons, invitations cannot be extended to other members of your organization unless discussed first with our team.
Q: I am unable to attend. Can I nominate someone else from my organisation?
A: This invitation is specifically for you, but if there are compelling reasons to nominate someone else, please contact us as soon as possible, and our team will respond. Please don’t share the registration form with anyone before approval.
Q: May I share information about the event with other individuals and organisations?
A: Please do not share the invitation or other event information widely and publicly due to safety and security concerns. Additionally, we have a limited number of spaces and have specifically curated the participant list to meet the convening’s objectives.
Note for donor participants: The below responses on travel costs and logistics pertain to activist participants. We ask that donors self-fund their travel to the convening and their accommodation in Brazil.
Q: Do the event organisers cover travel expenses?
A: If the Global Convening On Crisis and Care team has invited you, the Urgent Action Sister Funds are covering your travel costs (please note, this does not apply to donors, who are self-funded). We cover the flight, visa, travel insurance, airport and hotel transfers, accommodation, and per diem during transit and Convening days. We also cover any additional costs related to accessibility needs, and COVID tests and vaccines when mandatory.
Q: Do you cover other costs like issuing a new passport?
A: For activist participants: If you do not have a valid passport to attend the event, we will cover the cost of issuing a new one if you provide us with documentation showing your passport will need to be renewed to allow you to travel for the convening.
Q: Can I book my flight and get reimbursed?
A: Unfortunately, no. We are working with a travel agency to ensure all flights are booked according to our organisational standards and budget. Our logistics team connects with you to arrange your travel.
Q: Can I travel on other dates?
A: In principle, yes, but this will be approved case by case as a fare difference may apply. We cannot pay for additional travel costs, but we can make case-by-case agreements while booking flights and accommodate what’s possible. Accommodation is provided strictly on the dates of this event and for those needing layovers to break long-haul flights.
Q: May I depart from another city different from where I live?
A: Yes, it is possible to arrange travel from a city different from where you live. Please inform us as early as possible so we can coordinate your travel arrangements accordingly.
Q: What are some of the activities that will take place?
A: We are sending regular updates to share information on the program and will deliver a final version close to the convening date. We are sending monthly newsletters and hosting pre-event orientations to discuss the program, logistics, security, and other issues in the lead up to the event.
Q: Will this be structured as a conference, retreat, or something else?
A: This convening will not follow the traditional conference format. Instead, it is more akin to a gathering, focusing on circles and group sessions that promote intimate knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and personal connection. We aim to create a space for collective care, reflection, and strategizing in a supportive environment.
Q: How can I engage in the event?
A: We have a series of touchpoints to engage with participants and explore how you would like to be engaged. We are integrating inputs as much as possible from the pre-event survey each participant filled out, and hosting a series of pre-event orientations for participants.
Q: When will all the details about the gathering (location, program, attendees) be sent?
A: We are sending detailed information, including the program, logistics, and pre-readings, in the sequence in which we are finalizing everything as the convening gets closer. You can expect to receive all necessary information via email and pre-event orientations well ahead of the event.
Q: Will there be other attendees from countries experiencing huge crises? Will there be opportunities to get to know each other and the work within these regions?
A: We anticipate attendees from various regions and countries experiencing significant crises, such as Sudan, Myanmar, Palestine, Venezuela and Lebanon. There will be structured opportunities for all participants to connect and learn from each other’s work, with ample time for both global and regional discussions and collaborations.
Q: What languages will you be providing during the event?
A: The Urgent Action Sister Funds consider language justice essential for its regional and global work. We are committed to interpreting the convening’s collective sessions and as many smaller sessions as possible in languages widely spoken by participants. Based on responses to pre-event surveys, live translation services will be available in French, Spanish, English, and Portuguese in many convening spaces. Since it is not possible to provide live translation everywhere due to logistical constraints, we are providing additional AI translation support.
Q: What is the COVID protocol?
Testing: All participants must take a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) 48–72 hours before arrival. If you test positive or exhibit symptoms, please cancel your travel and participation. We encourage everyone to take extra precautions before traveling.
You will receive 2 RAT kits in your care package: 1 to be used on your arrival day and 1 to be used on the morning of the first day of the convening. Additional RAT kits are available at the Safety & Care Desk. If you have symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, loss of taste/smell), please take a test immediately. We will have instructions onsite. Our team will guide you through the isolation and response protocol.
Masking: Masking is not mandatory, but you can wear a mask if you wish to. Masks are available at the Safety & Care Desk. Hand sanitizer is included in your care package. Sanitizing stations are available at all entry points, meeting rooms, and dining areas. High-touch surfaces will be cleaned regularly.
Q: How will the convening be accessible to persons with disabilities?
A: We are committed to making the convening as accessible as possible. We have designed the space and program taking into account accommodation needs shared by participants. The venue is wheelchair-accessible with ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms. Seating includes spaces for wheelchair users and people with mobility needs. Accessible rooms are prioritized for all participants who need them. All sessions take place within the hotel, minimizing the need to travel off-site. We are placing large, high-contrast signage throughout the venue. We will have a low-sensory/quiet room available for meditation, rest, or sensory breaks. This room includes yoga mats, chairs, sofas, and calming materials (art, books, water). No meetings or computer use will take place in the quiet room. Sensory-friendly lunch areas are available for participants sensitive to noise, lights, or crowds. Earplugs and fidget toys are available at the Safety and Care Desk.
Please get in touch if you have questions for the event team.
Partners And Donors
Better Preparedness Initiative
Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland
Ford Foundation
Funders Initiative for Civil Society
Global Affairs Canada