Outreach Prep Materials

BACKGROUND INFO ON PTO:
Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed (PTO) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is “to challenge oppressive systems by promoting critical thinking and social justice.” We organize an annual meeting that focuses on the work of liberatory educators, activists, artists and community organizers.

The PTO organization grew out of an annual conference held in Omaha. The conference has since been held in various locations throughout the U.S. (e.g. New York, Toledo, Los Angels, Minneapolis-St. Paul). The people who attend the PTO conferences are popular educators, theatre practitioners, activists, academics, teachers and artists who work with, critique, and are inspired by the ideas of Paolo Freire and Augusto Boal.

In 2010, the PTO conference will be held in Toronto, marking the first time it's ever been held outside of the USA. The conference steering committee is looking for as much input as possible from groups and organizations in Toronto, in order to base the conference on the needs, desires, concerns and interests of Toronto communities. We are also interested in connecting with organizations across Canada and internationally.

WHERE ARE WE AT NOW?
The next PTO conference is scheduled for June 2010 and will take place at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Currently, we have a steering committee who meets once a month, as well as a number of sub-committees (Outreach & Communication, Fundraising & Finance, Space, Hospitality) who meet regularly to discuss the various details of the conference. As we begin organizing more intensely next fall, we are looking for input, participation and dialogue from anyone who feels they or their organization might benefit from this conference.

OUTREACH QUESTIONS
What does your organization (or do you) do?
What community(ies) do you serve?
What are the needs of your community? Your organization?
What are some of your goals/projects/desires for the next year?

OUR CONTACT INFO
email: ptotoronto@gmail.com
blog: www.pto2010steering.blogspot.com
PTO official website: www.ptoweb.org/